Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-12-15

ones. But here the, to him, uneX
expected obstacle of her promise
arose.
"I promised never to leave m,
father" Ada said. "Our house is suf
ficiently commodious-why should
we not form one household?"
81 wish my household to be my
own, not another's," answered Fran.
els Gilmer. "I could not be happy
as boarder or q guest in the house
of even SO dear a friend as your faith.
er. want my wife to myself;
doubtless am selfish; but l cannot
endure to think that only share of
her love and care are to he mine."
Ada was silent; the conflict of du.
ties had commenced.
81 will purchase the adjoining
house," Francis added, when he saw
that she was not about to speak, "and
we can set up our own housekeeping
there. 1t could hardly be called a
separation, for you would see your
father daily, and exercise constant
care for his comfort and happiness"
"But think of the lonely house, the
companionless meals, sudden illness
perhaps in the deep neighbours, with
none but servants within call!
no, dear Francis, this is not what
my mother contemplated, and by do
ing as you wish, l should violate the
spirit, if not the letter, of my prom
Use. 1t is a matter of conscience,
Francis,as well as of affection. Yield
to me, dear, since it is SO, and make
one of our present household, or in
yite my father to take up his abode
in ours"
"No, Ada cannot and will not.
l have pictured to myself my own
home, and have waited for it long
and patiently. The question must
now be between your duty to your
father and your duty to your hus-
band. If your father is best loved,
and his happiness is paramount to
mine, remain with him by all means.
If not, as my wife, assume all the
duties and responsibilities of the
position. | want neither q divided
heart nor a divided life"
"But my promise, Francis"
cit is unfortunate; butt have shown
you how to prevent any conflict be-
tween it and a wife's duties. But
you must decide at once. Remem-
Der, Ada, that I am not to be .rifled
with. Better learn now than later
that your heart is not all my own"
ooh, Francis! how cruel, how cold
and harsh you are!"
'It is you, Ada, who are cruel
But l will no longer stand in the
way of your happiness, nor prevent
your superstitious fulfillment of an
exacted promise. We had better
part at once than prolong this weary
discussion, which will doubtless
prove an endless one, forever de-
stroying all chances Of domestic
comfort"
But why record the bitter words
of this lovers quarrel. Lovers quar-
rels are said to lead to y renewal Of
lovc-it was not true in this case. A
few more meetings-tearful on one
side, bitter and unyielding on the
other-and then the two, who SO
little while before had believed
themselves destined to walk the
ways of life in closest companion
ship, were sundered forever. Ada
could not, Francis would not yield.
And so they became as strangers.
Bitter and stern, with feeling of
revenge ranking in his heart, Fran
cis Gilmer went out into the world.
"She shall scc," he vowed, "that
there are others who can love mo
we'll enough to forsakc all for my
love-"
And so forthwith he paid violent
court to a silly, half-imbecilc heiress,
and soon found himself endowed
with her money and her by no means
attractive self.
And Ada remained at home, in
fulfiilment of the promise to which
she had sacrificed all her bright
young hopes. Her heart was widow
ed; but the conduct of Francls show
ed her how frail was the idol she had
enshrined there, and a little whole
some contempt served asa partial an
tidote to her grief. The conscious
ness of duty fulfilled helped her, and
she was beginning to regain some
portion Of her former cheerfulness,
when a new blow fell upon the halt
healed wounds.
Her father grew lonely, as he said;
in reality, yielded to the blandish-
ments of a designing woman-one
utterly unfit for the position he Of
fered hcr-and made an engagement
of marriage. He was ashamed to
tell Ada, and she remained in igno.
rance even until the wedding morn
ing. Then Mr.. Leslie went out early,
very smart, and before noon brought
home resplendent bride, and the
young daughter who had officiated
as bridesmaid.
"It you had only told me, father!"
cried Ada, a,Whcn the weak man came,
trembling and shame-taced, to lead
her to the parlor, where the strang-
ers awaited her. 81 cannot see them
now; l cannot ever acknowledge
that woman in my mothers place.
Make my excuses to her, and will
leave the house before night"
That was the first feeling OF her
outraged nature. But better thoughts
prevailed, and she yielded to her
fathers cntreaties sufficiently to re-
ceive the new members of the house
hold with courtesy. And she tried,
for his sake, to be happy, to see her
home violated by coarse presences
and voices, her father ridiculed in
his absence and wheedled when at
home, to bear Sights and imperti-
nences in silence-all because silence
was for him the better part. But all
sacrifices soemad vain to the tortured
girl. Even he for whose sake she
had borne so much, at last consent
ed, when she once more proposed
leaving his house.
"fou see, dear, she is my wife, he
said, "and she cannot 60 away. So
if Won can't no mutual1v acconmo