The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1877-10-05
a COWARDLy CRIME.

MT. Delmdn was mere, lttntf'
she asked.
Eyes, dear" her father answered
turning from the window, and draw
ing her over to him.
odd you ask for time, father Wi
he renew it for your"
"No Isabel, her father said. grave
ly, "On Tuesday the time is up, an
If the mortgage is not paid befor
that, he will close il, if-if-'--
"If | do no, lower my woma nhooj
and marry his son Clark"
Edward Milton looked proudly a
his daughter, so fair, so pure, so true
Could he ask her, even to save him,
to become the wife of a drunkard and
a gambler, but who was the only SOL
Of a rich mana rich man, who could
turn them from their home in a week
But ask his proud, pure Isabel tc
marry Clark DelmanY Certainly not.
They would pass from the old home.
stead and face the future, before Isa.
bel would wed Clark Delman.
Edward Milton was no longer a
young man, nor was he strong one,
and it was like parting with life to
leave his old home, but he would moi
ask his darling, his Isabel, to sell her
self; for that was simply what il
would be.
would you wish me to marry
Clark Delman, father she said, after
. short silence.
He passed his hand over her sunny
hair.
"No. my darling he said, "but il
is hard, very hard, to leave our old
home. never wished you to marry
him. Isabel, only his father pleaded
so for him. He seems 10 believe you
could save him."
"Save him!" the girl repeated, "a
man, father, who will not be brave
for his mothers sake, for his fathers
sake, for the sake of his own honor
and manhood, would never be brave
for my sake"
At this instant step sounded on
the gravel path, a firm, manly step,
that brought the roseaush to Isabels
fair face, and the next moment gen.
tleman entered the room.
He was tall, handsome man, with
honesty stamped on his broad brow,
truth shining from his dark eyes, with
q smile Of almost womanly tenderness
making beautiful his firm mouth. as
he came forward; q man whose love
would be q crown to the woman who
won il.
He came quickly forward.
He loved Isabel Milton, and she
knew it, though he had never told her
90. He intended to wait till he had
pushed his way higher on the ladder
of life. for he was only book.keeper in
the mills of Evarts Il Sons.
He meant to be patient and wait;
but now as he saw the paleness Of Isa-
bells face, saw the troubled light in
her eyes. his love mastered every 9th
err thought, SO he came forward and
folded her in his arms.
"What is it, my darling?" he said.
"Ob! Isabel, my love, let me comfort
YOU" then turning to her father he
said; "Will you give me sons place
in your heart; will you give me Isabel
for my wife!"
elf she loves you. Charles, | give
give her to you gladly, if she chooses
you herself. know you are worthy
Of her. but Charles, we are poor, very
poor; even this home is no longer
ours. l paid II debt for my only
brother, who died a year ago, and to
do so, ] had to mortgage my old home,
and on Tuesday next the mortgage
falls due, aud am not able to meet
It,"
al wonder if | were to see Mr.. Del
MANI
"No! no! Charles, he would not lis
ten to you"
"well, who knows what may hap.
pen In q week, sweetheart" he said,
kissing her. "You are going to be
my wife, little one, SO ! have a right to
help you in your trouble"
After little while Mr.. Milton left
he room, and the lovers sat talking
ogether.
A knock at the outer door startled
hem.
Isabel rose. and passing out 10 the
,all opened the door, and Clark Del.
nan stood before her.
One glance told her that he was
rot perfectly sober.
"You must excuse me-" she said
oddly. 81 cannot see you this eve
ling"
Isabel" he said, quickly, my ia
her was down here to-day. Isabel
'ou can save me from the life | am
eading. VIII you not do sof ! love
'ou, but you treat me as no other wo-
man in the taxn uonl1 IA