The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-11-15
DISSOLVING THE FIRM.

There goes fine catch for some girl.
wonder he has remained Il widowcr so long.
. is over three years since his wite's death.
Dear me, | should think his must be "a very
lonesome life"
Now, Jane Austin it is not bit of use
for YOU TO SIT NJ that window and watch Can
tain Arden Is ne passes. He will never mar
y you, or any other woman His life is de
voted 10 his daughter And, as for being
lonesome, | expect for the little time he is
on shore he'll find enough to employ his
mind aud time. So you need not feel bit
uneasy about that returned sister spinster
who, ~ one time, had spent many hours
watching the handsome captain, but long
since had adopted the prevailing opinion that
Captain Arden would never marry again, he
never having been known 10 spend an hour
N u wOman's society since his wics death.
/ few moments after the above converse
lion Captain Arden entered the reception.
room Of young ladies seminary. Scarcely
had he seated himself when hi. neck was en-.
Circlcd by fond, clinging arms and Il sweet,
childish face pressed close 10 his After re.
turning his darlings carcsses, Captain Arden
looked earnestly tor a moment into her beau.
diul eyes; then asked, with "a great anxiety:
What il the matter, my love? Something
= troubling you, see. Why are Your eyes
not dancing, Us usual; and why is the music
All gone from your voice; Come, tell papa
what is the reason"
20, papa You love me better than anybody
IN the world, do you nott" the child sobbcd.
Indeed do, my own"
20, papa, but will you always do 500
why, Flory, l,ulc girl, what do you
mean asked her father, amazed at her |
agitation.
-, you do not say you always will. And |
j. l. true what the girls all tell me You will ,
hnd somebody else to love Q, YOU cruel pa |
pal you VIII marry somebody some of these
days; then your poor little Flory will only !
have little mite Of your heart"
You silly little love, 10 let these girls tease
you SOL Come, we will make a solemn com.
pact, flory. New | promise never to wed
any woman, or 20 seek to win the love of any,
70 long as my daughter remains true to- her
father While you are with me, giving me
your entire love, | ask for nothing more. We
viii i've for each other Flory. What say
youf wiz you promise this, too"
GLADLY, gladly, papaw Flory answered,
with another fond embrace
Then, with doubtful look, she asked
But papa, you only mean that must not
edre for any man bu, you, That is it, is it
nOtT'--a bright flush mounting to her fair
brow; because papa, | do love Ada Foster
ItarIy. Snc was one OF my ScNOOmutcS last
year. now she is one of our teachers | love
her very much, particularly now that her
father j. dead That is why she stays here TO
teach. She is an orphan papa, and SO sweet !;
ana she is 80 good and wise. too! older than
I by nearly five years-and-"
Very we'll Flory, you can love your friend
Ada as much as you choose; but DO not let
me hear Of any other love. And this voyage
shall make to sea will be the last, my child.
By the time ! get back, two years hence, you
will be old enough to preside over our home {:
theu We VIII be separated no more. So you
must learn all YOU can little one, against the
happy time. Now rest easy about your faith.
et's heart. II will neve! wander from his
darling"
Flora was very beautiful, and numberless
brothers and cousins Of her companions cast
Gdmiring ewes and sought to win some sign
of favor from her. But all to no avail. So,
when the two years had passed by. and Cap
tain Arden returned to his child, both. after
an inquiring glance into each others eyes,
were fully satisfied that no other love had en-.
tered the heart of either.
4 wear passed by and nothing had happen.
ri to mar Captain Arden's or Flcra's happi-
ness. At the end of that time a young man
cime bringing letter of introduction from
his father. one Of Captain Arden's dearest
friends. This young man Wa not only vel
o5lned with crest cordially, but Captain Ar.
den insisted that during his stay IN the town
lac should become his guest.