Montgomery County sentinel., 1876-12-22

MISS OnuTlOtbe III HeT spleHulu uIcSo anu
Jewels. The landlady complied; and
was inexpressibly shocked at Charlotte's
appearance. Her face had the CHASTITY
hue of death and she could not cross
the chamber without her mothers assist
ance. The landlady said nothing, but
she felt in her heart the whole truth
that the poor girl was sacrificing herself
for her parents. She could not con-
gratulate dared not pity.
Charlotte was assisted into the carriage
by Mr. Cords, who was dressed in the
ridiculous extreme of fashion; Mrs
Liston followed. Mr.. Cords then got
in, and the vehicle ratified away to Mrs.
Marshs 1t was twenty minutes after
four when it left the Listens lodgings;
and at precisely half past four, Mr..
Liston, who had been disappointed IN
meeting the merchant with whom he
wished to transact his business, entered
his paror He was in peculiarly
socable humor; for an old and staunch
friend had been reasoning with him upon
the foolishness of moping about, wasting
his time and energies, when, with his
excellent business habits, knowledge,
and we'll known character, he could
easily obtain an excellent situation as
factor, or agent, or confidential clerk
| the friend had said, that he would him
self cheerfully give two thousand dollars
salary, if Mr. Liston would allow him
the benefit of his talents and experience.
Mr.. Liston at once accepted the offer,
and was a new man-the old Mr.. Liston
AS we knew him in former days
Finding his parlor empty, he went to
his own chamber The ladies were not
there. He looked at Charlottc's door,
, and then ventured to open it. That
too, was empty "Out !" he muttered,
) in astonishment "Why she was too
unwell to appear at the dinner table p
In the hall, as he advanced, he cncoun-
tered the lapdlady.
1.-THE ladies are out?" he said, as a
{ casual remark.
"Why, Mr.. Liston" cried she, lift
: ng up both hands, "and you not know
where they are gomez"
:, ''No, Mrs. White. Is there any
e thing unusual p
"And really you do not know tina
your daughter has gone to be married 2
. Married, Mrs White What Dc
you mean y he replied, turning pale.
/. "Why, Mrs. Liston told me, not al
: hour ago, that she was to be married tC
Mr.. Philip Cords, at his aunt Marsh's
at five o clock precisely and sure enough
Mr.. Cords came for her in his own car
, riage, and she was lifted into it, il
!. bridal clothes, looking like death, poo
thing, and away they drove"
The drops stood on Mr. Liston's fore
p head; he said not word but b
}! hastily pulled out his watch, and foun,
er that it wanted fifteen minutes to five
at In less than one more he was fastening
l. at very inmoderate pace for man Q
Or fifty, towards, Mrs. Marsh's; who's
t., mansion he reached at two minutes an
III a quarter after the clock had struck
At He minded not servants, but pushing o.
&. aside, ansended to the parlor; whic
a he entered at an interesting moment
be for the Episcopal clergyman, who wa
officiating, was just pronouncing thos
of important and conclusive words of th
rd service, "If there be any here who kno
as cause why these two should not be joine
ld in marriage, let him proclaim it now, 9
Id ever after hold his peace" They we're yer
g, solemnly said but probably without an
b. remote idea in the clergyman's mind tha
he a response would be made. A voice
On however broken with exhaustion, erie
ed out from near the door:
er II do Stop where you are !"
We Mrs. Liston, who a moment befor
| !; had been standing and glancing aroun
is at appropriate intervals, all swellin
~ with pride and joy, melted down at ti
ly sound, like tender flower cut off by
cy sudden frost. Mr.. Liston came fo
= ward.
mt Il forbid the bands for my daught,
RS is not of age and what is more,
ar know this has all been in defiance of b,
Ir. feelings--thc scheme Of others. Is
he not so, my child Speak freey-is
ng not so 2"
az Charlotte's silence replied in suf
Iat cienty sigifcant tones. Mr.. Cords.
at this moment, thought proper to bristle
IS little especially as so many Of h
O; relations and intimate friends we
ne present.
I'm "This unccremonicus interruption, NJ
nd Liston, unwarrantable--"
"Faughp' cried Mr.. Liston, in Il
lal deepest intonation Of detestation. "Ul
Of warrantable When is not faith
be warrantable in saving bis daughter fro
re- the wreck of all she holds dear? 81
rot would have sold her heart for me f; f
tie you know, even while you stand up
Ir. wed her, that she loves another! An
n even were her heart disengaged, 81
ay would be linking her self to one whoI
nd she could never love, and thus close u
Ter the fountains of her best sympathies 70
,se ever. will not say that willingness
IN submit to such sacrifice may not
,us noble in child; but the parent wi
in would accept 1.-THE father or moth
ily who would live by the sale-ye
he the sale Of their child such parents al
nd unworthy ever to have lived Com
Of Charlotte, she sprung into his arms
on ''thank Heaven, | was not too late
Ter Come away from these sbambles, and
Of will speedily take precautions that !
-ry more scheming shall peril the happine
he Of my child. VIII you attend US, sir
e he continued, addressing the clergyman
at 1--WE may have need Of your services ia
lis mediately but not with such brid
DR., groom Good afternoon, ladies al