The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1874-05-28
THE HERMlT'S YEAR.

xXA XxAAA"A - AkAANo
"There is your letter, Edith,-a
very good letter; just such a letter as
ayoung gentleman very much in love
might be expected to write.- Fine
phrases costvery little to young men of:
average intellect ; and I must say for
our friend Charlie Coursland, that his
have the ring of true metal about them.
I.'s something to be able to believe
what a man says nowadays" Saying
which, Mr.. Maitland folded with great
precision the letter he had been read.
ing, and returned it to his daughter.
"And what am to say to him in
reply, papa? 2"
"Say to him, my dear ? why, what
would you say to anybody who propos-
ed to share five and threepenoe a day
with you for life?;'
"But it's not five and threepence, :"
said Edith, blushing, but boldly.
"Then it was until very lately; and
it can't be much more now. Say what
you like to him ; and as he's gentle.
man in every sense of the word. refuse
him like lady. That's what you
mean to do, I suppose 2" But instead of
a ready answer, Edith Maitland hung
her head; and her father knew, though
he chose to assume ignorance, that
that was not at all Edith Maitlaud's
inclination, whatever her intention
might have been.
Presently the old gentleman looked
| at her again, and nothing certainly
ever affected Mr.. Maitland moro than =
dolorous expression on bis daughters
countenanoe. He had very little sym.
pathy, not much feeling, not an atom
of sentiment ; but he had a great idea
of the fitness of things and Edith's
face is the very worst background to a
gloomy picture that can we'll be CON-
ceived. A diamond looks we'll upon
velvet ground; and rude contrasts,
where the object to be exhibited re-
quires to be strictly set of, ars all very
we'll. But where it is not so,-aod
sorrow is seldom the better for be.
ing displayed,-the less violent the
contrast the better. Charming blue
eyes, a fine red and white complexion,
golden hair, glsteniDg little teeth be-
tween coral lips, and an amazing
amount of dimples, 60 badly with tears
or frowns, aod find no room among
them for melancholy. He was sorry to
zee that her inclination did not, as usu.
al, 60 with her duty.
"Cdarles Courtland is a person for
whom l have the greatest regard, my
dear child; he's very excellent son, I
believe, and soldier, but not equally
we'll calculated for a son-in.law. Be.
sldee, he's bad memory, Edith"
.,'"How SO, papa? 2"
"He has forgotten conversation We
had 90 this subject"
"That's hardly possible, I should
think" said Edith Maitland not cheer.
fully.
"Then he either thinks that I am
given to change my opinion, or that I
do not clearly express my real one.
Now that's not so, my dear child.''
ri never knew you do the one, nor
fail to do the other" And the absurd
necessity of the confession gave little
tinge of the ridiculous to so UNUSUAL
an assent. "But I don't understand
you"
"You do me no more than justice
I'll explain. About fortnight bach
conversation turned between Charles
Courtland and myself into channel Of
this kind. Mind, my dear, it was moi
literally personal as: regards you anc
himself; but had an idea that il
might become SO. Do you know what
| told him? 1 told him I valued
your happiness Two put it Hypothetical
Ily,::you know, for deoenoy's sake) to-
highly to let you marry any one with
out moderate income, and a certain
sum Of money at command"
"Did you indeed say that, papa 2" in
quired Edith. reddening, half viii
shame and half with anger.
"Indeed I did, my dear and WHAT
more, [ meant it," And here old NJ,
Maitland refreshed himself with goo
piach Of snuff.
"But what need to proclaim anythin
Of the sort to-to-a young mar
who"
"What need, indeed, seeing he
incapable of understanding = hiat q
. delicately conveyed. Why, it was I
save you the Inconvenience of havin
to answer some such letter as thi
And, Edith, in order to avoid mistake
l put the figure at what I cousidere
your lowest value ; and which, II
!. sorry to say,-well! my dear, don
Ink so verv reproachfullv at ma. for