Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1876-12-01


. tear trembling in either eye, and her
lips quivering with emotion
"No"-roplied MIR. Listen firmly
II wish to speak to her, and she must
stay Sit down Charlotte"
He spoke reprovingly, and so seldom
did she listen to any accents from his lips.
save those of affection, that her wound
ed heart, which did not deserve this suf-
fering was torn asunder anew, aud she
sunk, gasping into her chair.
why, Mr.. Liston!' cried his wife,
in tone of reproach, sprinSing up and
endoavoring by the hustle of concern for
her daughter, to divert the dread revela-
tion--"Come, love, come to your cham
Der, I'll go with you"
She assisted her to her feet, and they
had nearly attained the door, when
Charlotte suddenly turned and fell down
by her fathers side, and laying one hand
upon his shoulder and grasping his arm
with the other, sobbcd out-"Do not
speak so, dear father indeed, | am not
to blame p
II think you are, my child Such
grief for mere school companion from
whom, perhaps, you have been parted
for years, is immoderate.
Father p cried she, in astonishment-
"Sehool companion |" lie looked up
from her face to that of Mrs. Liston,
who now that detection was absolutely
inevitable, changed color and was silent;
and, in a moment all flashed upon him.
1t was not the first period of agony he
had endured, at the deception of his wife.
She had deceived him first in protesting
to love him. ardently-for he was the
wcalthest Of her suitors, and the most
highly connected and his life had been
robbed Of serenity and happiness by her
constant exhibition of scheming and
duplicity. But his sorrows in that re-
spect were strictly confined to his own
bosom. He could not hold her up to his
child, in that holy light in which a
mother so brightly shines--as her pat
tern for purity and truth-but he never
uttered rash word against her in that
child's presence. Even now. he drew
Charlotte closer to him, pressed her af-
fectionately to his bosom, kissed her
forehead, again and again, in remorse
for the suffering which mothers deceit
had inflicted, and said tenderly--
Il am wrong then my dear child.
What is it? Tell me without fear, what
has so afflicted you? Your father is n
true friend to you. He will counsel
you well p
Il know you are, dearest father--I
= have She hesitaIed Mrs. Liston,
anxious to make her peace with her
husband by display of sincerity, I'M
dertook the narration for her.
'Charlotte has received from Mr.
Cords "a tender of his hand and heart, !"
said she,
Why did she not reveal the whole
truth? Even in that very moment the
thought glanced through her mind that
she might arrest the tale thus commu-
nicated, and succeed in her hopes at last !!
Cords y exclaimed Mr.. Liston. with
n sheer in the tone that would have
withered the puppy who bore the name,
had he been in his presence when such
a one marries my daughter, it can only
be when ain in my gravel Cords p
What a change those few words
wrought in his child ife--bounding
life and joy, sweled in her veins again
pain was forgotten--bcauty painted
once more her eye, check and Ii p--and
she stood, in her own recovered glad
someness, by her fathers side. Mr.
Liston gazed upon her with delighted
establishment.
"There is some deeper cause for grief
than the mere reception of the note
thought he to himself His wife's inter
ference in Cords behalf, so consistent
with her ld-heartedncss and worldli-
noes, naturally suggested itself
"Your mother would have had you
marry Cords, my child" said he, care
lessly. There was no reply, and his
were confirmed u always
endeavor to agree with her in her plans
for your prosperity and happiness, my
daughter, but fear we shall not be Of
the same mind now You can aece,'
while / live, be wife TO Cords. Per-
hdpo huO" blOlp VI MN Ildb your
mother does !"
1t was easy for him to appreciate what
a morning Charlotte must have passed
under the infection Of the artful per-
suasions Of her mother. He drummed
on the table, and unconscious that
he spoke aloud-loud enough at least for
Charlotte's ear to catch such exstatic
Words
eff Elliston had been bold enough to
push his suit, all this might have been
spared !"
''Hc has, dear father! He has p
The fruition of every dearest hope
in her fathers words, forced
exclamation from her lips; but modesty,
recoiling, robbed her check Of
its rose again. Her father soon restored
her.
"He has," cried he, starting up,
f'then all is well Why have / brought
him here week after week, but that |
felt he was the man TO be the husband of
my child? | have seen that you love
bim-I know, Lofty. for I've watched
you when you little thought of me
Heaven be thanked But I have over
stayed my tlme--you needn't write to
him-lll bring him up to tea" Thus
speaking. for be could not longer restrain
bis emotions at lis wife's conduct, he
suddenly left the house.
Jack, as I'm living man. the pur-