The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-04-17

bargain. He was extremely reticent at
first, but by degrees he had grown more
free, and once or twice surprised them
with such genial flow of wit and spirits
that Mr. Lindsay had declared himself
unable to see what sent him there, man
of his abilities.
And now a word in regard to Mr..
Lindsay's embarrassments. For three
consecutive seasons the harvests had been
extremely light in this section scarcely
paying for the outlaying of money and
labor. to say nothing of profit. Then the
expense of living was considerable, for
ten persons require no small amount Of
food, to make no mention Of garments
that will wax old Added to this was q
long and severe illness, lasting all winter,
and running him behind to such an ex-
tent that he saw no other way to 90 on
with his work than to hire money. This
it was next to impossible to do, and after
some pretty severe struggles with his
pride, he so far Overcame it as to write
to Julian Richardson, q second cousin,
living in New Orleans, and reputed very
wealthy. He had never seen him, but
had heard that he was unmarried, and
somewhat eccentric And so in this strait,
he ventured to appeal to him. He wrote
the first letter in February, but it was un-
answered. After waiting in a state of
nervous anxiety and suspense two or three
weeks, he wrote again. This time his
letter was returned, after being opened,
bu, without a line or word in answer.
He struggled along month or two more,
and then he went to see Amos Wilson,
with the final result | have heretofore de-
scribed.
The days slipped away like golden
sands, and the summer grew in beauty
and brightness to Della Lindsay. The
sunshine fell into her heart as softly as il
capped the green, blossomy hills. The
daily drudgerv of toll became suddenly
lightened and illuminated by this same
golden glow. and the world grew dear,
and life looked only 4 sweet and beautiful
dream.
Into this supreme atmosphere one day 4
sudden cloud broke. 1t had been NO
larger than mans hand. for weeks she
had not discovered it, and was Therefore,
totally unprepared for the great darkness
that came upon her. She had returned
from a long ramble over the prairie, her
hands loaded with blossoms, and stood by
the door describing their names and habits
to Paul Leicester, whose grave face was
softened into a rare, tender smile, when
ever the pretty brown eyes and wild rose
cheeks were lifted to his face.
'Della, my dear, want You a moment"
her father said coming ont into the entry.
Without a word she followed him in,
the blossoms still in her hands, and some
of them dropping to the floor as she
walked.
"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 Amos Wilson, with his back to the
window, and his great ungainly form
showing in bold relief against the light
Somehow the feeling of depression
which had so weighed her down on the
day 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 permission to pay his court to my
daughter. I have told him that my girl
is fee to answer for herselt--What shall
it be, Della ?"
Della cast one quick glance into her
fathers face, and saw all its eager hope
and anxiety. Then she turned TO Amos
Wilson. who had taken step forward
and was looking at her sharply from under
his low hrows, his pale eyes burning with
faint opaline tnts Involuntarily she
shuddered and drew back
81 do not love Mr.. Wilson, father"
she said family.
"But can't you learn to love him, Della2"
he asked quickly his lips twitching nerv-
ously.
mo, father, | cannot she answered,
this time firmly. Il thank Mr.. Wilson
for the honor he has done me, but l do
not love him, and you do not ask me to
marry q man | do not love, father3"
''No, my child I do not ask that" he
said gently, but with q chord of sadness
in his voice.
Poor Della how suddenly the cloud
had descended and enveloped her. With
heavy heart she crept softly out and left
the two men together. She knew what
her refusal had meant to her father. She
knew the load which chated and fretted
simple movement of her lips, and yet she
had not given it-she could not give il
Dropping her blossoms rs she went, she
hurried out to little arbor of wild vines
in the garden, and there, alone with the
pitving twilight and the stars, she sobbed
out the first bitterness Of her regret and
pain. She heard Mr.. Wilson come out
and 60 away, and then, little after,
heard step in the garden-a step that
sent the blood in a fierce, sudden torrent
to her heart, and then to her checks.
"You are not repenting so soon, Della !"
and Paul Leicester came and took the wet
flushed face between his cool palms ten
derly.
"Oh, couldn't marry that man; why
should he ever think of such 2 thing?n ?n
Della asked, pitifully. "And father"
She stopped abruptly, but he felt how hot
her cheeks grew against his hand, and
knew what She would have said.
ale is rich, little Della"
81 know it," said Della, with a little
choking sob.
"And I am only your fathers laborer,
and yet have dared to love the same
lady. What do you suppose he will say
to my presumption, if she refuses this
rich man so cavalierly?" ?"
''You? 90. Mr.. Leicester! Don't
mock mel" She broke down in another
flood of tears, and Mr.. Leicester comforted
her with q great many fond words which
would not look half so delightful and
charming in print as they really were,
from the fact that certain things are
universally pronounced silly, unless one
happens to be one Of the dramatis per-
son;e-then they are better and more to
be desired than the wisdom of Solomon.
By and by it grew chilly, and the damp
msts came up from the river, und Mr..
Leicester said Della must 90 in, though
she, foolish child. would have tarried there
gladly, nor thought of damp or chill, if it
had been January instead of August, if he
was only there.
81 want to see your father, too, Della"
he said; and so they went in. Mr. Lind
say sat by the kitchen table, his arms
crossed and leaning on it, and before
him, scattered about sundry papers, etc.
He looked up, then made motion to
gather them up. Mr.. Leicester drew
Della's arm through his, and came quickly
forward.