Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-08-07
DAILY GAZETTE.
How the Mortgage was Redeemed
GcoNcIuDED.l

Come in this way, my child" Mr.. Lindsay
SAID, passing before her and opening the door
Into the parlor, where, sharply outlined against
the sunset sky, stood Ames Wilson, bis back 10
the window, and his great. ungainly form show
ing IN bold relief against the light.
Somehow the feeling Of depression which so
weighed her down on the day upon which the
homestead was mortgaged came upon her again,
and she felt the color leaving her face and felt
her face grow white and rigid.
Mr.. Lindsay closed the door carefully. and |
came forward to his daughters side.
Della" he said, struggling to appear calm, |
Mr.. Wilson has done me the honor to ask per- |
mission % pay his court to my daughter. I
have told him that my girl is free 10 answer for
herself what shall it be, Della?"
Della cast one quick glance into her fathers
lace, and saw all lis eager hope and anxiety.
Then she turned TO Amos Wilson, who had
taken slsp forward, and was looking at her
sharply from under his low broWs, his pale eyes
barning with faint opaline tiuts. Involantarily
she shuddered and drew back. ~
Il do not love Mr.. Wilson. father" she said
"But you can learn to love him, DslIa?" he
asked quickly, his lips twilching nervously.
mo, lather, cannot, she answ cred this time
firmly. II thank MIR. Wilson for the Loaor be
has.done me, but | do not love him, and you
father" y
mo, my child, l do not ask that" lie said,
gently, but with cloud of sadness and disaps
pointment in his voice. 49,
Poor Dslla How suddenly the cloud had
descended and enyeloped her. With heavy
heart she crept softly Outand left thetwo men
together. She knew what her refusal had
meant TO her father. She knew the load which
chafed and fretted him so might have been liz
tea Wltn simple movement of her lips, and
YET she had not given it-she could not give 1t.
dropping her blossoms as she went, she hur-
rled out to little arbOr of wild vines in the
garden, and there, alone with the plying twi-
light and the stars, she sObbed out the firstbit.
terness OF her regret and pain. She heard Nr
w Mso1 eft come out and go away, and then lit.
that sent the blood in fierce, sudden torrent
10 her heart, and then to her cheek.
gu are not repentlng SOsOon, Della 2" and
Paul leicester came and took the wet, flushed
race between his cool palms tenderIy.
Oh couldn't marry that man; who should
ever mink OF such thing?" Della asked, pit
fully. "And father" She stopped abruptly,
but he felt how hot her cheeks grew against
MS nand, and knew what she would have said,
"He is rich, little Della
" know It, II" said Della, with little choking
sob.
"And Rm only your fathers labOrer, and
yet have dared to love the same lady. What
do you suppose he will say to my presumption,
1
"You? 90, MIR, Leicester? /? DOn'tmOOk
me! She broke down in another flood Of@tears
and Mt. leicester cOmfOrted her with great
many fond words which would not look half
so delightful and charming In printa they rea-
ly were, from the fact that certain things are
universally pronounced silly unless one hap
pens TO be one Of the dramatic persOn@-then
they are better and more to be desired than the
wisdom Of Solomon. 4s,..Ir
BY and by 1t grew chilly,and the dampmldst
n asaaw
Della must go In, though she, foolish child,
would have tarrled there gladly, nor thought
OF the damp or chill, IL it had been January
instead Of August, If he was only there.
~ want TO see your father, too, Della" he
said, and SO they went In. Mr.. Lindsay sat by
the kitchen table, his arms crossed and leaning
on 1t, and before him, scattered about, sundry
bills, papers, &c. He looked up. then, made q
motion to gather them up. Mr. leicester drew
Della's arm through his, aud eamequckly for
ward. e -A-dI1 .'''ti s.. i'
"Ar. Lindsay, L love your daughter, and
she loves me" he said In a steady, assured
voice.. II know Mr. Wilson would be more
acceptable to you, but think you are too
much OF gentleman to object to me on prop
erty grounds think we can manage to live
della and I--sOmehow-What do you say
to us?" rtsn't .A
Mr. Lindsay glanced from the radl ant,
blushing face Of his daughter to the strong
qulet one beside her, and, though 1t cost him
- U I
81 will add my blessing, II that Is what you
ask. God knows that my child's happiness is
more to me than money, a thousand times"
Paul lIsleester's face softened into rare
smile. ~ aye ysts.t3e caI .Oa
"You area brave man, Dean Lindsay he
said, warmly, hiseye klndIIng ''and You shall
never be sorry for having trusted me.''
Mr Leicester begged for an early wedding
day, and soon won Della to his side by his ell
OQuenoe and persistence.
ut was as well, perhaps, now, as at any
time, Mr. Lindsay thought, and also yielded
And Mrs. Lindsay had too long leaned upon
ard deferred to Della to think Of Objecting to
anything she asked, and so 1t was arranged
for the last week In September Two weeks
before the time Mr.. Leicester said it would be
necessary. for him to be away week, and
without mentioning his destination, took his
days, ana he neither came or wrote to them.
And then itlacked but one Of the day fixed
for the wedding, and Della grew nervous, aud
Mr.. Lindsay angry. But the afternoon brought
the truant who, With bright smile, said he
was delayed by business
"By the way" he added, taking folded
paper from his pocket and tossing It to Mr.
Lindsay, u saw Mr.. Wilson as l came along"
"The mortgage deedi" exclaimed Lindsay,
looking perpleXed.
Eyes. IT'S no more than fair should make
you some present when you havs SO generously
given me this dear girl" putting his arm about
Della.
"But don't understand. IL"
',Thought was poor fellow finished Lei
csster smiling, ~ know you did aud twill add
that have been to considerable trouble to give
you that impression learning farming Tor in
stInce. D. YOU remenber that Dean ? he
asked, abruptly, tossing letter he had writtent 70
his cousin Ia New Orleans
Mr.. Lindsay rose to his feet, white and tremb-
ling.