Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-06-30
MONDAY MORNING, JUNE 80. 1873.

a servant l will win Wilson Ashley.
l will represent myself as some poor
friendless orphan, and thereby obtain their
pity
'wellr calculated the old maid, with an ex-
preston Of disapproval upon her face
Then If have not greatly misjudged Mr
Ashley he will Denevolently offer Inc home,
which Of fcourse shall accept.
But he will know you, Ariel.
l am not so sure of that, Auntie; was only
child but fifteen yeare of age, when he met
me last, and two years have changed me consid-
erably think.
How long shall you remain there?' inquired
the spiuster anxiousy.
Two or three months, perhaps longer; at
any rate until have succeeded in bringing VIII
son Ashley to my feet
Aunt Eunice's countenaDce fell and the ex-
preston Of disapproval deepened upon her face.
How shall l account tor your absence, to
your inquring frendsp she said after q brief
pause.
TELL them anything you please, aunt, it matters
little to me- replied the girl merrily.
The next afternoon Ariel dressed exceeding
ly plain, departed for the town in which Mr..
Ashley resided.
Her aunt had tried to dissuade her, but with
out success.
/ 1t was showing fast, and the air was damp
and chilling, yet these had not deferred the
| girl from trying to accomplish her purpose.
| II was dusk when she arrived at the depot
| of the town; but she was extremely disappoint-
cd to find that she could not obtain convey
ance from the depot to Mr.. Ashley's house,
which was one mile distant, therefore she was
| compelled to walk. She was benumbed with
cold when she reached the house, but she found
the family as she had suspected, kind and hos
ptable.
Mrs. Ashley led the girl into the warm sitting
room where her husband and son were seated.
Ariel's eyes were Immediately scrutinizing
the latter closely, and for moment she forgot
Mr. Ashley and his wife.
| Wilson was medium sized young man, with
dark eyes and curly hair, and pale, classical
| face.
Ariel was agreeably surprised at his prepos-
sessing appearance, but she concealed her feel
| ings and gave her name to Mr.. Ashley as Julia
Page with the most perfect GOODNESS anu self
possession.
The evening passed pleasantly and when
Ariel retired to rest, she felt that If she did not
succeed In winning Wilson A shley it was her
own fault.
She had been perfectly aware that lie had
been watching her while she was talking to his
parents, and she smiled at the recollection of
his ardent glances.
Week passed on, but Ariel fingered at the
Ashleys.
Her real identity was a mystery to them,
and MIR. Ashley although he thought he detect
ed y few familiar traces in her face, never once
| suspected her being the wealthy Miss Ariel
Leslie.
uer merry SMILES and winning ways soon
won the hearts Of Mr.. Ashley and his wife; but
they were not happy. For vague suspicion
filed them, that Wilson's heart was no longer
under his CONTROL As for Wilson he devoted
himself entirely to Ariel, despite the sundry
lectures from his mother, and tho frowning
glances OF his father.
Ariel encouraged his attentions, and openly
showed her love for him before his parents on
! several occasions.
II Mr.. Ashley had not been bound by prom
iae, he would have been glad of the attachment
which existed between his son and julia but
| as it was he would not give his consent to their
union. For her husbands sake, Mrs. Ashley
exelted all the influence she possessed over her
son to induce him to break away from the thral-
aS whch lnn had aGSsS him but she was
Neither OF the parents of Wilson blamed Ju-
| LA for her conduct, for they thought that she
was of course in total ignorance or their de-
| sires.
| One evening as they sat III the parlor, Wilson
| seated himself at the piano, and with master
hand performed several difficult aud popular
pieces; what was the surprise of all when Julia
seated herself at the instrument after her lover
| had arisen and played and sang the pieces play
| ed by him. AS soon as she had concluded,
wills N passed his arm through one Of hers and
| led her to the sofa where his parents were
seated
Father he SAID speaking low and earnestly,
this afternoonI confessed my love TO Julia
and found that she reciprocated my attach
ment.
/ never now can love the daughter of your
deceased friend, and all your attempts 10 unite
us in marriage will be useless. Will you CON
| sent to my marriage with Julia"
MY son csnnot'
Then shall marry her father, without it, said
| Wilson firmly.
Julia, said Mr., Ashley raising his eyes to
the girls face, will you wed my wayward boy,
without my consent|
Il will mott replied Julia, watching with an
amused smile, the look Of surprise upon her
lovers face.
.What do you mean by this, Juliar said Will
son, you promised 10 marry me this alter
noonn
Has Wilson acquainted you, Julia" with my
desire, respectng Il marriage between himself
and ARIEL Lesliep' said Mr.. Ashley without
giving the gl chance to answer bis sons I'M
patient inquiry.
He has, sir
Ariel knew that the time for her disclosure
had now arrived, but she felt herself unequal
10 the task
wilson, said Mr.. Ashley breaking the train
of her Thoughts, Julia has refused to marry you
withou. my sanction, which ofcourse yon can
not ever expect to have; come my son, consent
to the marriage of the beautiful Ariel Leslie
and YOURSELF
Il have told you several times father, that
will not marry her I; il fail III wedding Julia.
shall never call a woman my wife,
The young man spoke with firm decision, ant
his father knew that further attempts woul'
be worse than useless, but before he Could re
ply, Ariel broke the profound stiffness of thu
apartment, saying,
Il am Ariel Leslie
For several moments her listeners stared ii
speechless astonishment.
: Mr.. Ashley could scarcely believe that sh'
spoke the truth. Her explanation however con
vinced him of her identity, and few month";
| "a. L., ,,,aa larad ai,,,ronalu hannu hI