Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-04-13
THE OUTWITTED FATHER.


"And so, sir, this is your decision ?"
Honor, father, forbids any other"
"Do you mean to say, sir, you are en-
gagged to the grill"
"Not exactly. I await her decision"
"Thes you have proposed 2"
"I have, sir"
And you have resolved to marry Miss
Cameron, and not Miss Dashwood 7"
eff Miss Cameron will accept me-"
every we'll, sir, very we'll This is
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
tho country. Here is fine, dashing,
handsome young woman. rich and belong.
ing to one of the first families in the coun-
try, whom you throw aside for the sake of
a pale led chit of a c!ergyman's daugh-
ter"
Father" |"
"Don't father me, sir-don't interrupt
me-don't speak to ne again. Get out of
my sight; but remember, the day on
which you marry Lena Cameron you will
cease to be sou of mine. I'll disinherit
you, sir, and leave all have to the new
orphan asylum"
Such was the scene enacted in Squire
Chester's parlor-a scene frequently pre-
sentcd upon the stage to sympathizing and
delighted crowds-an irate father, portly,
red faced aud loud.voiced, with hands be-
meath his coat,tails, la Pickwick, and his
eyes glaring wrathfuly through gold
trimmed spectacles, upon handsome but
undutiful son, bent upon wedding the OBJ
ject of his souls idolatry against his faith.
cr's 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, fair, delicate looking girl,
was about entering the room. catching the
sound of the angry voice, paused an in.
stant with her hand on the door.knob, as
it hcsitating whether to enter. And thus
it happened that she heard her own namc
coupled with the threat already mentioned.
She turned and glided swiftly up to her
own room. Locking the door, she threw
herself on couch, and burying her face
in the pillows. remained long time quite
motionless. She did not weep, but when
she at length arose her face was very, very
pale, and her sweet eyes had a haggard
Loo; of suffering painful to witness in one
so young.
Seating herself at the table, she drew
toward her writing desk, and wrote as
follows:
"DEAR PnILIp-Since our interview of yes
terday, have thought the matter over, and
have come to the conclusion that it will be-
best that we shall not marV. Do not blame
me, do not question me ever. have reasons
which I cannot explain, but act as think will
be best for both of us. LENA"
"Where is Miss Cameron ?" questioned
Philip of the servant who handed him this
note.
"Gone over to Elmwood, sir, to her
aunt, Mrs. Page. I heard her say she
would stay there until her return to the
city in few days."
An hour later Philip Chester was on his
way to Elmwood. The path was lonely,
leading through a seques,ered wood, and
he was consequently surprised when, at an
abrupt turning, he came face to face with
young lady, very handsome, 'aud attired
in rich riding habit and floating plume.
Philip lifted his hat respectfully, and would
have passed on, bu: the lady paused full
in the path before him. .l.
"Excuse me-you arc Philip Chester"
He bowed.
"And l am Josephine Dashwood."
In his surprise he hardly knew what to
say. "I did not know-I'was not aware
Miss Dashwood was in this neighbor.
hood"
II dare say not. You were expecting,
perhaps, you aud your honored father, to
behold me for the 6rst time at the resi-.
deuce of my uncle and guardian, Samuel
Walker, Esq. But you see l was too anx-
ious to wait, so concluded to run down
for day or two to Elmwood, on the
strength Of Mrs. Page being an old freud
Of mother. l wanted to see you, Mr..
Chester"
"You do me honor" said Philip. puz-
zled in what manner to treat this frank