Weekly Trinity journal., 1874-01-24


thoughts.
"Theso are serious times abroad" l
said. France and Germany are not like
ly to have their trouble settled very soon.
The sutferings of our own country in
the late war makes us feel for these poor
people. They haven't had much to say
about the political affairs which led to
the disturbances, and suppose the com
mon soldiers are not actuated by the in
terest and patriotism that our armies
felt" L thought l would keep on long
enough for her to get the drift of what l
was saying. She listened intcntly. l
did not know then that she never read the
papers.
1t is very good of you to think OF
spending some time abroad" she re-
piled. But I'm told it isn't safe to go to
France this year on account of the war,
and as you say we shall be the sooner
settled. quite think, under the circum-
stances, should prefer the trip in our
own country, and, as you suggest, it
shows patriotism"
The cold sweat stood on my forehead
and l groaned. To be sure, | was near
ing my thirty-second year, but didn't
want to get married yet ana if did
didn't want to marry her. thought if
l went away, she would think it all over,
and know by my manner that she must
be mistaken. SO l rose and said | must
be going.
"Give my respects to your father on
his return" | added. 81 bid you good
bye for short time only, for l shall call
next week to see him and pay my respects
to Miss Fanny"
" If you could stay little longor,"
Henrietta said, rising, too, and coming
up close to me, "he will be homo at din
ner and you need not return to SEQ him.
But what a hurry you're in to talk about
a very short time. You know l will
have to get ready. l will do as we'll as
can, since you urge it, but next week is
entirely too soon. Yes, I'll give your
respects to Fanny. She is coming home
in week or two, so she will be at the
wedding She is n sweet child. But, oh,
Charles, to think that you loved me all
this time, and stayed away, trying to for
get me, when | always liked you so
nuch," and as | started across the room,
she threw herself right into my arms, and
put her own SO tight around my neck,
that l could not help her kissing me-
And just then the door opened, and old
Brown walked in.
Never mind, Charley Parker, mover
mind" he shouted. "Ivc seen such do
ings before in my life. It's all right, all
right my boy. Don't look so confused.
You're steady sensible fellow, and
Henrietta is good girl, and will make
you a good wife, is she is little the old
est. You want my blessing of course,
and you shall have it. Now come in to
dinner and we'll hear the rest of it if
you have got anything to tell me-"
" Charles was coming to tell you to-
night, father" said Henrietta, hanging
on my arm with both hands, 'and he says
he has loved me so long and did not dare
to let me know"
Though dreadfully embarrassed, l be-
gan to feel relieved, for he was not deaf,
and | should be able to make him com
prehend the terrible mistake.
" Mr.. Brown" | began stammering,
awkwardly, "can SEQ you few min
utes alone ? There are some things |
must say to you, and Miss Henrietta will
excuse u.s."
"Oh, no, Charles, never mind" he in
terrupted, 81 know you and your family
and about what your chances for the fu-
ture are. Never mind the formaitcs
it's all satisfactory to me if it is to Henri
eta, and | judge-ha, ha, by what | saw,
awhile ago, that she is agreeable"
But, Mr.. Brown" l exclaimed, hor-
rifed, " don't want to get married ! |
hadn't thought about it! | never was
much acquainted with Miss Brown. She
hasn't quite understood me. Ill did
not ask her to marry me-"
His countenance changed-frst to per-
plexity, then to dignity and severity.
Do understand that you have been
triiling with my daughter, sir If you
have not asked her to marry you, | think
) it about time, at least, that you arrived al
formality. Zounds, sir, l don't under
stand you, either A father has a little
legal redress in such circumstances, sir p
began to despair Of finding any way
to make them understand.
Henrietta still clung to me, hearing
about half we said, smiling, self-satisfed
and aflectionate. At the change in her
fathers manner she saId, coaxingly:
Now, father, told Charles you would
be pleased. | thought you liked him,
and / told him so when he asked me-"
The clearest thought l had just then
was to get away. Some other time would
be better in which to set things right. !
tried to speak calmly and concliat:ngly
and trust to future opportunity Of ex-
planning to the old gentleman how his
daughters infrmity was at the bottom oI
it all, so l said
81 hays not meant to deceive youl
daughter, sir, nor do l wish to do SO.
will defer the communication / wished tC
make TO you till another time. l mus
go now. will see you again very soon
Good morning" And l started for the
hat-rack.
Henrietta put her arms around my
neck and kissed me again as / reached
for my hat. / could not help it. l don't
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