Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-07-05


alone with the plying twilight and the stars. h,
sobbed out the first bitterness of regret ant
pain, She heard Mr.. Wilson come out and gt
away, and then little after heard q step in the
gafden-a step that sent the blood in fierce
sudden torrent to her heart and then to hel
cheeks.
"You arc not repenting 30 soon, Della ?" and
Paul Leicester come and took the wet flushed
race between his cool palms tendeTly,
Oh, couldn't marry that man; why should
he ever think Of such thing ?" Della asked
pitifully. "And father" She stopped abrupt
", but he felt how hot her cheeks grew against
his hand, and knew what she would have said
He is rich, little Della"
Sob
''And am only your fathers laborer. and vet
have dared to love the same lady. What do
| you suppose he will say to my presumption, il
she refused this rich man 30 cavAlierly ?"
| "You 90, Mr.. Leicester Don't mock
me- She broke down in another food of tears
| and Mr. Leicester eomforted her with great
many fond words which would not look 30 de-
| llghtful and charming in print Hs they really
were, from the facts that certain things are uni
versally pronounced silly, unless one happens to
be one OF the drdHdtis pers0nR-then they are
better and to be more desired than the wisdom
of Solomon.
BY and by it grew chilly, and the damp.mistes
came up from the river, and MIR. Leicester said
Della must go in, through she, foolish child.
would have tarried there gladly, nor thought OF
the damp or chill, IL it had been January instead
OF August II he were only there.
II want to see your father, too, Della" he
said, and 30 they went in.
Mr. Lindsay sat by the kitchen table, his
arms crossed and leaning on it, and before him,
scattered about sundry bills, papers, cot. He
looked up, then made motion to gather them
up. Mr. Leicester drew Della's arm through
his, and came quickly forward.
Mr. Lindsay, love your daughter and she
loves me, he said in steady and assured voice.
know Mr.. Wilson would be more acceptable
to you, but think you are too much of a gem
tlemen to object to me on proper grounds 1
think we can manage to live-Della and I-some-
how. What do you say to us?"
MIR. Lindsay glanced from the blushng face
of his daughter to the strong, quiet one beside
her. and, though it cost him a little effort, he
said cheerfuly:
II will add my blessing if that is what you
ask. God knows that my child's happiness is
more to me than money-a Thousand times"
Paul Leicester's face softened into rare
smile. "You are brave man, Dean Lindsay"
he said warmly his eye kindlipg, land 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 elo-
quence and persistence. 1T was as woll, per-
haps, now as at any other time" Mr. Lindsay |
thought, and also yielded; and Mrs Lindsay had |
toe long leaned upon and deferred to Della to |
think OF objecting to anything she asked and |
80 il was arranged for the last week in Septem-
Der. Two Weekb DotOre tue tlmei mf. Leicester Il
said ii would be necessary for him to be away /
week, and, without mentioning his destination, /
took his departure The week passed, and then /
ten days and he neither came or wrote to them.
And then it lacked but one Of the day fixed for /
the wedding. and Della grew nervous and Mr. |
Lindsay angry. But the afternoon brought the /
truant. who, with bright smile, said he was de-
layed by business
"By the way" he added, taking folded paper
from his pocket aud tossing it to Mr.. Lindsay,
II saw Mr. Wilson as came along"
"rhe mortgage deed" exclaimed Lindsay
looking perpexed.
"Yes. Its no more than fair / should make
you some present when you have 30 generously
given me this girl, y putting bis arm about Della |
But don't understanj,-I-T
Thought was poor fellow" finished Lei-
tester, smiling. II know you did, and l will add
hat have been to considerable trouble to give
you that mpression--learning farming for in
stance. Do you remember that Dean 2" he ask
I'd abruptly, tossing him the letter that he had
written to his cousin in New Orleans.
MIR. Lindsay rose to his feet, white and tremb-
ing.
''You are not hs-you are Julian Richardson2'
10 gasped.
Il am very much afraid I am!that eccentric
he replied laughing. Il believe
Fas christened Julian Paul Richardson. When
conceived the idea Of visiting you ncog, yOur
econd letteridetermined me, and am tl o ug hlv
delighted at the success of my experiment" he
dded with bright smile upon Della, who cung
o his arm, pale with wonder and excitement.
''You see Dean, l desired to know il you
Tere worth helping-its foolish hobby of
niue always-and there was no other practical
ray / think we'll not trouble Mr.. Wilson
gain, my coed cousin! For, as l told you once
efore, l think we can manage to live some
Tay-Della and I-can We not my dali ling?'
Aud for answer, Della hid her face on his
houlder and cried, woman fashion.