The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-10-16

''Florence, love-" said my father, "allow me
to introduce you to Miss Sanderson, q friend
Of mine, cannot say an old friend, but who is
"H1sh!" interrupted Miss sanderson. "Mr
Melford," she continued hastily, II must now
trouble you to escort me home. We shall be
late as It is. Miss Maynard" she added, 1--WE
shall, I am sure, very shortly be the best Of
friends. Mr.. Maynard-''
The speaker broke off aud hurriedlY seized
my fathers hand. Arthur Melford took leave
of me, and bowed respectfully to my parent,
who eyed him sternly, and In another moment
both Miss Sanders and Arther were gone.
That evening and my father sat at home
in silence. 1t was evident that he had some-
thing to say, but was nervous how to begin {;
unexpected meeting ut the bazaar afforded
me ample food for reflection and conjecture.
Presently my father said:
"Florence, you were no doubt little aston
ished at our meeting with Miss sanderson,
whom until to-day you had probably never
seen: NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS."
"The lady was a stranger to mo until this
dreaded lest may father should have discovered
something respecting my acquaintance with
Arthur Melford.
What lady, Florence" continued my father,
in hesitating voice" that lady is shortly-is
in fact to becOme-"
"A very SEeAt iTleuu Ol niue. DO sue Sdlu
herself. and am sure shall be very happy"
broke in.
I smiled as spoke. could not, for the life
of me have restrained that smile. l was
what was termed a sharp girl, and quickly
jumped at conclusion. knew as we'll as
possible what would be the end of my fathers
sentence, and therefore, womanlike, to in
crease his confusion, interrupted him.
II am sure she will become great friend of
yours, darling" resumed my father: 'but that
was not precisely what I was going to say.
That lady, Miss Sanders, will shortly -ahem!
very shortly, become"
| know all abont it," 1 cried, with merry
laugh. 49,. ..... .,...
"Then since you are so we'll informed" said
my father, 81 need perhaps say nothing more.
But, Floy, love, to be serious q moment, Miss
Sanderson is to become nv wife"
That solemn word "wife' 'sobered me direct
~. Miss Sanderson my fathers wife! What a
flood of wild, incoherent thoughts passed
my mind as those simple words rang in my ear.
Who was Miss Sanderson? How longed to
be able to read her character at glance, to
analyze the very virtue and filling of the
woman who was to supply the place of my
dead mother. 1t was useless to try to think
quietly on the matter-equally useless to talk
I could reflect more calmly, and then I might
be able to determine whether my father was
to be congratulated or the step he was about
to take, or pitied 70" his folly.
In the course of day or two learned that
my father had been introduced to Miss San
IslingtOn. The introduction had been made,
found out, with view of matrimony. My ia
Their had told his old chum, Mr. Fordyce, that
he wanted wife; that iovial old bachelor had
instantly mentioned the daugeter of the Hack
ney schoolmaster, as fitting bride for my
| father, and the latter was graciously pleased
| to approve of the selection, and thus was the
affair brought about.
| My father was the very soul of hanor. Al
| though man of business, he was not a man OF
| the world. Even as young man he had nev-
| er sought its pleasures. A quiet evening at
| home, a rubber at whist, a new book, were to
| him never falling sources of enjoyment, aud
have often thought that a man possessed Of
! his quiet tastes and habits is to be enYied by
his fellows. Was it strange, therefore, that
should feel anxious about the character Of
Miss Sanderson? Was it singular that asked
myself over and over again, "Wil she make
my father hsppy?'
| Miss Sanderson's appearance and manners
were certainly suggestive of the most amiable
disposition. She was about six and-twenty
but certain staid dsmeanor, combined with
quiet, yet perfect and exceedingly graceful
! and sef-possession, would haye excused the
supposi ion that she was thirty. Her features
| were good, and her smile was of the sweetest
She was well educated, too, and possessed Of
much literary and artistic taste. She was
cheerful. but Dever frivolous; indeed hel
many good qualities seemed so evenly bal
anced that could scarcely wonder at my "a
ther being riveted, facinated by them. And
yet my heart did not warm toward Miss San
dersOn. 1 did not feel that I could love
| her; and as became aware of it. wondered
| at my GOODNESS, the more especially as was
| obliged to own to myself that had any one
| asked me my opinion of her who was to be.
bound to give favorable one.
/ 1t was abont fortnight after the day first
became aware of my fathers acquaintance
with Miss Slanderson, that the servant placed
letter in my hand, at breakfast time, The
superscription was in the hand of Arthur Mel.
ford. At tremblingly opened the missive
knew my fathers scrutlnizing glance was
re ting upon me.
do not be nervous Florence" said he: sthe
letter is presume from Arthur Melford. !
expected you would hear from him by this
mornings post,and he has probably written to
ask you to see him this day. You have my
full permission to do So"
My father resumed his Times. Twas speech.
less with amazement. l read my letter; it
was from Arthur-a single brief sentence
asking me to meet him in one of the parks.
! "Papa," said when I had somewhat recov-
cred my equanimity," you know, then, that
| Arthur Melford is friend of mine?"
| II have been aware of the fact for some
time Florence" he replied, dryly.
| Ibid not say anything more to my father
on the subject. At the appointed hour met
Arthur Melford.r He looked very pale, but
there was good deal of resolution expressed
in bis countenance. There was evidently
something on his mind. '-
Florence, dearest" he said, gravely, II have
asked you to meet me here this morning to say
good-by, and, Florence, I must ask you to for.
give me for what said to you few days
since, and also forget the words that told you
of my love-"
looked in the face of Arthur Melford: il
were troubled, anxious look, that gave me
pain. .-.-., ...lt,..
"But, Arthur" said I, "why is this?" Dc
you meaD--" -r- =. -.--.,
II mean, Flor snce," interrupted Arthur
Melford, "that am a very poor man. Az
such, had no business to ask you to love me
it was cruel for me, it was ungenerous. But
meant to persevere and try and win better
position in the world I shall still persevere
shall still plod on-cheerily. l trust and
Florence, the knowledge that am not wholly
Indifferent to you will give me courage and
hope" t. - ~
"Yes-yes, Arthur,"I said, II shall neye,
cease to love you: but tell me, has nv father
had anything to do with this changer
mo, not exactly" he replied, evasively. 4
"Then it Miss Sanderson," I said; lit is
she who" DO '5.# Z, - -, -. =
| HHuoh Flororoo h,,el,