The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-05-30

The mems voices were loud and an
cry. Mrs. Derwent, who in an adjOin-
ing room awaited with f1uttering
| anxiety the result of the interview
which she believed would consummate
the "brilliant match long held in
contemplation. and for which she had
used all her motherly influence to in
spire Dolly with sense of its advan-
tages, could not possibly restrain her
Impotence and her indignant concern
at this violent interruption. She came
into the library and caught Dolly's
hand to withdraw her from the hold of
her youthful lover.
"Mr. Berton," she said, angrily,
show dare you infringe upon the rights
of hospitality so far as to annoy my
daughter?'' ..-,
AS she spoke she felt q strong COM
manding hand laid upon her shoulder;
she turned, and saw her husband. Mr..
Derwent, who had been pacing up and
down the hall in unusual disturbance
of mental equanimity, had also Leard
the angry voices, and had fastened into
the library.
my DEAR" he said to his wife,
"Netl is authorized to do So"
'Authorized! By whom?'' asked
Mrs. Derwent.
"Surely, sir,'' interposed Mr.. Hurd,
"you do not mean to repudiate your
wife's responsibility in this matter? l
presumed that you were 0,se-presumed
so not only from the admirable har-
mony of your lives, but from the very
nature of the case. l presume that
your united judgment has of course
"What do You mean, STRIP said Mr..
Derwent.
"What do you mean, father dear?'
asked Mrs. Derwent, recovering her.
self, and pushing Dolly away, who had
rushed to her father and chung confid-
ingly to his arm. .What is the mean
ing of this unhappy contrc-ten.ps, my
love?"
"Simply this" answered Mr.. Der
went. "a young man, a dear boy
whom 1 have known since he was a
baby, worthy, true-hearted fellow, l
sincerely believe, the son of my college
chum and my friend of a lifetime, came
to me an hour ago, and pleaded his case
like rising young lawyer as he is, and
u rousing warm-hearted youngster-
pleaded his claims to be allowed to win
Dolly. That was your expression,
wasn't it, Ned?-to win Dolly?''
"Yes, sir,'' said Dolly's lover, who
stood apart, with his arms folded, his
head erect, and his fine eyes blazing
like "live Goals from the altar"-per-
fectly majestic. So poor little Dolly,
shrinking and trembling. and ventur-
ing but one glance, thought to her
hearts core-thought that moment and
forever.
Every well, them" continued Mr..
Derwent, Il gave my consent to Ned
to go in and win her."
"And H." faltered Mrs. Derwent.
This is exceedingly strange. exceed
ingly unfortunate. 1 have just given
my consent to Mr.. Hurd. whom es-
TEEN so highly-whom we both esteem
so highiy-to address my daughter"
Some comical side of the affair." must
have touched Mr.. Derwent, for he
laughed at this; not his bright, whole
souled laugh exactly, but just laugh
to clear his throat sufficiently to say,
kindly:
"Ah, well! So l perceive we are all
in trouble. Dolly, my dear. l don't see
how anyone but your own self can get
us out of this trouble. Here are two
gentlemen, both exceedingly estimable,
one already approved by your mother,
and One-One somewhat rather leniently
regarded. The truth is, Dolly, Icourted
your mother when was hardly more
than boy-a penniless boy, too-and
have never repented of my rashness;
it has been my happiness and my for
tune-yes, my fortune. young men!
Two suitors, Dolly: one, l say, rather
leniently-for sympathy, perhaps, or
for auld lang syne' maybe, for his ia
Their was my college chum--rather len
iently regarded by your father. Both
lovers of yours, my child, and don't
wonder at that, little Doll; both honor
ably Offering YOU heart and hand. l
see nothing now to be done except that
you should choose between them"
Then everyone in the room-Eustace
Hurd, Mrs. Derwent, Mr.. Derwent and
Ned-majestic Ned--looked straight at
Dolly.
Dolly, having been pushed away
from her fathers sustaining arm by her
mother, had dropped, wretched and
half fainting, upon the sofa. But she
arose now, and stood for moment
with her little hands clasped against
her girlish bosom-beating, indeed,
now with womanish impetuosity--and
her little feet misgiving her, so that she
felt herself tottcring. and her face pal
ing, paling, and her eyes downcast.
And then suddenly, with a flash to
cheek and lip of vital carmine, and a
thrill to her finger-tips, so strong that
it extended her hands cordially, and an
instinct of faith that nerved her to COM
posure and dignity and queenliness. SO
far as it was possible for an angel-like,
child-like creature like Dolly to show
queenliness, she advanced step or
two, and raised her eyes, and said, with
charming directness, in voice low
toned but so penetrating with the in
tensity of youthful lifetime and the
earnestness of an eternal promise that
it haunted evermore those who heard
it, "Ned--you have taken me-by sur
prise. ''-Harper' Weekly.
The Telephone Under Fire.
THERE is no account extant of how
tho fa1anhOnp aots when undor fro