The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1871-02-23
The Family Circle.
Loves Sh'atageln.


And so, sir, this is your decis-
ionY"
Honor, father, forbids any 9th
err
DO you mean to say, sir, that
you are engaged to the girl?'
'.Not exactly. I await her decis-
ion"
"Then you have proposed?'
Il have sir"
"And you have resolved to mar
ry Miss Cameron, and not Miss
Dashwood?'
IF Miss Cameron viii accept me-
"Very well, sir, very well. This
is your gratitude-this your flial
duty! you self-willed, ungrateful
dog, in return for the trouble I've
had with you-the efforts I've made
to secure for you the best match IN
the country. Here's a fine, hand
some, dashing young woman, rich,
and belonging to one of the first
families of the country, whom you
throw aside for the sake of a pale
faced clergyman's daughter"
"Fatherr'
Don't father me, sir-don't in
terrupt me-don't speak to me
again. Get out of my sight! but
remember! the day on which you
marry Lena Cameron you will cease
to be a son Of mine. I'll disinherit
you, sir, and leave ali have to the
new orphan asylum
Such was the scene enacted in
Squire Chester's pmlor-a scene
frequently presented upon the stage
to sympathizing and delighted
crowds-an irate father, portly, red
faced and loud voiced, with hands
beneath his coat tails a Ia Pick
wick, and eyes glaring wrathfully
through gold-rimmed spectacles,
upon q handsome but undutiful son
bent upon wedding the object of
his souls idolatry against his IA
theirs wishes. Yet in this instance
it was not mere acting; but on the
part of each, serious and resolute
determination.
To add to the dramatic effect, at
the moment in which the Squire's
last words were spoken a fair, deli
cate looking girl, who was about en-
tering the room, catching the sound
of the angry voice, paused an in
stant with her hand upon the door
knob, as if hesitating whether to
enter. And thus it happened that
she heard her own name coupled
with the threat already mentioned.
She turned then and gHded swift
~ up the stairs to her own ROOM
Locking the door, she threw her
self on a couch, and burying her
face in the pillows, remained a long
time quite motionless. She did not
weep, but when she at length arose
her face was very, very pale, and
her sweet blue eyes had a haggered
look of suffering painful to witness
in one so young.
Seating herself at the table, she
drew toward her a writing desk,
and wrote as follows -
DEAR Cousin PHLIP Since
our interview of yesterday, I have
thought the matter over and have
come to the conclusion that it viii
be best that we should not marry.
Do not blame me, do not question
me, ever. 1 have reasons which ]
cannot explain, but act as 1 think
will be best for us both. LENA"
"Where is Miss Cameron ques-
toned Philip of the servant who
handed him the note.
'Gone to ElmwoOd, sir, to her
aunt, Mrs. Page. heard her say
she would stay there until her re
turn to the city in q few day
An hour later Philip Chester was
on his way to Elmwood. The path
was lonely leading through a Sc
questered wood, and he was conse-
quently surprised when, at an alb
rupt turning, he came face to face
with a young lady, very tall, very
handsome, and attired in . rich rid
ing habit and floating plume. He
lifted his hat respectfully, and
would have passed on, but the lady
paused full in the path before him.
Excuse me-you are Mr.. Philip
Chester
He bowed.
And am Josephine DashwoOd.'
In his surprise he hardly knew
what to say. y did not know
was not aware of Miss Dashwood's
being in the neighborhood.' >
q dare say not. You were ex-
pecting, perhaps, you and your hon
ored father, to behold me for the
first time at the residence OF my I'M
Gle and guardian, Simeon Walker,
Esq. But you see Twas too anxious
to wait, SO I coneluded to run down
for n day or two to Elmwood on the
strength of AIRS. Page being an old
friend of my mother. 7 wanted to
see you, Mr.. Chester"
@You do me honor" said Philip,
puzzled in what manner to treat
this frank avowal. The young Ia
dy meanwhile played with her
horses name.