Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-06-30
The Fathers Compact,

Never fear, aunI, / will win yet. That is, If
he is worth winning :,
The speaker was a young girl, with soft
brown hair and dancing eyes of an indescriba.
ble color.
Her smile was perfectly bewitching, aud
many was the hearts that her winsome ways
had won. Sine was belle and beauty, and the
envy of her companions. Ariel Leslie was 10
coquette only a gay laughter-loving girl OF sew
enteen. She resided in a splendid mansion
with maiden aunt, in fashionable and wealthy
quarter, of one Of our own proud cities. Her
father had died few years before, leaving his
orphan daughter, sole heiress OF his wealth,
Which was reputed to be immense. This con-
sideration alone attracted numerous slitors,
but their mcrcenary motives were known to
Ariel, and she treated them with the CONTEMPT
| that they deserved. Mr.. Leslie had placed his
| sister In the capacity of guardian, to his young
| daughter and tiulo had proved that he had
| not misplaced the trust. Mr.. Leslie had a
| fiend, whom he loved as a brother, named
Ashley.
This gentleman resided in distant town
but he had hastened to the bedside of his friend
/ as soon as he heard ofhis illness. Mr.. Ashley
had son then at college, and three years the
] senior of Ariel Leslie.
=, There by the bed of death the two fathers
| entered into an agreement that the two child
| rem should wed each other, when Ariel was
seventeen.
A few hours after the spirit of Mr.. Leslie left
| this world, and MIR. Ashley returned to his
home 10 acqlaint his wife with the compact
which had been made.
Time passed on; Ariel appeared to be
perfectly willing 10 wed Wilson Ashley although
| she had never met him.
But Wilson firmly refused to marry Ariel
| simply because his father had not acquaibted
him with the compact, until the time for the
Iii t..fi had
| to visit Ariel. and although she wrote to him
twice, he returned her letters requesting her moi
| to write to him again.
Mr.. Ashley had asked the girl to write 10 his
| son, and she had complied and the result was
! extremely morliiying to her.
Mr.. Ashley alternately reasoned and threat
ened with his obstinate son, but all his effort.
proved unavailing, Wilson was evidently resolv
\ ed to have his own way.
| One cold, stormy afternoon in December
| Aliel received a letter from Mr.. Ashley, In
which he spoke his sons obstinacy, and the
writer was evidently ,lespairing of ever fulfill.
| ing the solemn promise he lad made to hi.
| deceased friend.
After Ariel had perrsed the letter twice, she
/ handed 1t to her aunt with the above mention.
ed remark.
Ariel nodded her head and spoke as il conf
dent Of success.
.But my dear child said her aunt as she re
turned the letter to her niece, 'how are you t
with him as you sayp He is determined not t.
wed you,and If his parents can succeed in com
pellng him to marry you, what life would b.
yoursl Surely you would no, marry man, VIII,
has not one spark of affection for YOU. For m
part, think the matter should be dropped 70
ever
Il do not mean to marry him unless he love
me.
lfyou will listen Aunt Euncc, will tell yo
of plan, by which wish to conquer this oil
stinate gentleman. Tomorrow 1 will DIRE.
myself as a poor giil, in some cheap, plai
! clothes, go TO Mr.. Ashley's and ask for einplo,
' ment, aud if successful in obtaining it, the rel
will be easy
'But how?' asked the perplexed spiuster ell
waiting her eyebrows. Would you disgra,
yourself by laboring 10 the familyS'