The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-06-28
Select Story.
A GIRLS DILEMMA.


the events that led to my present position
Let not those stay to read whose hearts have
grown too old to relish love story.
At Is | was one of the most thoughtless
of human beings, My widowed father, a
rich merchant, had humored every whim
from infancy, and asked nothing of me in
return but light t-heartedness and affection.
No one could have known less than / of the
shadows and sorrows of life, or have been
more childishly occupied in the present. 1t
was the night of my first ball, 10 which
was to be introduced under the most hatter-
auspices l was half wild with excitement
and the mo" mt my toilet was completed !
flew down stairs to show myself to father,
who was not going with me, rs at fest ar
ranged, being prevented, he said, by sudden
and insurmountable engagements. Well
remember how impatiently | bust open the
dining room door, and with what bound
of elation sprang forward the spot where
he stood, spreading out my my beautiful
dress and making before him sweeping
courtesJ. ! seem to hear now the sol IJstle
OF lace and satin to feel the glow that
burned on my cheeks, aud the quick thrCb
bngs of my happy heart, | had no, at first
| noticed, in my eagerness, that The table was
covered with papets, and that my father wa
not alone Mr.. Lacy, barrister at law, hi,
| friend and mine--for had known him from
my crad'e-sat opposite to him, and second
glance showed me how grave and anxiou.
were the faces of both.
"What is the matter ?" | asked, laying
my hand caressingly on my fathers shoulder
He looked at me fondly, till / saw the tea
brim his eyes.
My darling he said, in an abrupt, pas
sionate way. I'VE will not tell her, Lacy
it would be cruel. Let her have at least
few more happy hours. She need not know
tonight. How will she bear it?'
Mr. Lacy looked increasingly grave.
had become very grave, too; my childish ex
ctemen. seemed TO have given place to
sudden and almost womanly seriousness
1T is no use hiding anything from me,
| said, trying to smile, though l tremble,
from head to foot in vague foreboding.
could not go to the ball now tell me wha
has happened The expression on m
fathers face deepened 70 anguish. He pu
his hands before it, as if the sight ofme wa
too painful to bear. I turned TO Mr.. Lacy
DO tell me ! implored. Mr.. Lacy 6xe
upon me the fine, searching eyes, whose re
proof had been the sorest penalty of my lif
hitherto, and kept up the scrutiny till
could bear it no longer, earnest and kindl
as it was. l knelt on a cushion before hin
and leaning my arms on his knees in a favor
ite attitude returned his gaze with stead
though fearful, one.
Try me- l said perhaps am more tba
the giddy child you think me. Besides,
cannot be so dreadful-you are both aliv
and well
A peculiar expression passed over NJ
Lacys face. He seemed hesitatiug whethe
to draw me into his arms or to push me iroI
him. He did neither, but rose up suddenl
putting me gently back, and took a few turr
through the room.
'Halford,' he said presently, and in aets
tones, once more renew my offer. OF whi
use is wealth like mine to lonely man
with the help can give you may keep yor
credit and breast this storm. You shrin
from an obligation there is a chance of yor
never being able to conceal Well, | wi
change places with you. Give me in retur
that is, if l can win her cousent-yor
daughter IS my wife, My father looko
up with literal gasp Of astonshment NJ
Lacy went on without needing him. Il al
a fool no doubt he said, but the time h;
long gone by when Mildred was child
me. For the last two years have felt frol
the depth of my heart that she was W,
man. have fought against the insane wis
to win her for my wife. My age, my past ~
lations with her seemed TO make it Grim
Now have spoken, God knows as much
save you from the disgrace you are so obst
nately bent on meeting, and her from ii
poverty that would crush her youth, as
satisfy my own feelings. What she is to N
words cannot say how I will guard au
love her my love only could prove. Mildre
what do you say
He paused opposite me and took my ham
| was like one in dream. Love Ma
riage Brought up as l had been at HON
| had speculated less on these points tina
most girls of my age. ] had vague theorie
indeed, gathered from poets and novelist
and my feelings for Mr.. Lacy,a man 40 yea
of age, who had known me as an infant, an
whom Regarded with almost unlimited reve
ence as one of the best and wisest of the ra,
did not seem to correspond with them. / WI
unworthy of the honOr-incapable of fl
filling the Office of wife to such a man. Wifi
1t seemed almost blasphemous to mentio
the word to such a child as / was. shran
back from him toward my father, my cheel
burning and my eyes full of tears.
you refuse me, Mildred p said he.
should be villain to take advantage of m
position and urge you. Yet in my heart
believe / could make you happy. VIII
would you have but youth that could n,
give you? There are many chances again
your ever being offered again strong, hol
est, undivided heart like mine, No youu
man could love as i do. Mildred, what yo
might be to mep
| III were less child, | said, bluship
and trembling, If were more your equal
1t was enough, he drew near me aud claspe
me in his arms. Child = he said passionat,
ly, my love-my wife ? Then releasing n
and gazing at me seriously. you give you
self willingly, Mildred, but will not bin
you. Six months hence / will give yo
back your freedom if you are not happy, IAN
you will find it hard to deceive a love lik
mine
My father rose and grasped his hand i
silence. God bless you |! he said at length
Il would have borne much to secure such
protector for my child, Leave me Mildre,