Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-06-28
THE OLD SQUIRE'S MISTAKE.
True hearts are more than eoronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood. /"

And simple faith than Norman blood
Squire Atherton owned fine place,
and had plethoric rent roll, 50 thnt
money need not have been an object
in the selection of wife for his only
son, Cyril.
Not being of II romantic tempera-
ment, he had given but little thought
to the matter, merely looking upon it
as essential that at some distant time
Cyril should form some suitable alli-
ance, so that the name need not die
out; but there need be no haste, and n
fortune must be among the ladvs adj
advantages
What, then. was his surprise and dis
may, when Cyril came to him one
morning and asked his consent to II
marriage with II poor young girl, the
orphan niece of a small farmer, who
lived some three miles from Atherton
manor.
A stormy scene ensued. They parted
III anger. Cyril mounted his favorite
Madcap, and rode at once to Deepdale
farm. Hilda saw him hm coming and
met him at the door.
The rash young lover had not waited
for his fathers consent to WOO her, and
they had been betrothed for several
weeks TTn hod Jo1 5S;l,inr,. ~ ms
home, and given daughters portion
of love.
1t was hard to tell her the bitter truth,
and in his anger and disappointment
lie did not soften one harsh word his
father had said, even to calling Hilda q
milk-faced doll, whose pearly teeth and
bright eyes had captivated him III spite
of his better judgment.
"But well be married i'll spite Of him,
won't we, darling2 He'll come to his
senses then, Ill warrant. He'll think
it all right when he can't help himself" 7"
Hilda's roses paled as she listened to
the eager boy, and the happy light
which had made her dark eyes so bril-
liant had died away i'll sombre shadows,
but She answered with gentle resolu-
ton:
No, Cyril, two wrongs never made n
right. 1t doesn't sound Ike you to say
such thing We are young and We
can wait until your father changes his
mind"
That's what he'll never do, said
Cyril, gloomilv. "If he takes d notion,
an earthquake wouldn't move him. If
we wait for such thing, We'll wait for
ever"
"Thcn it will be with 4 clear con
science. Your father il IN old man,
and il might shorten his life, if you-his
only son-should prove disobedient and
ungrateful. | cannot come between
YOU and your father
Cyril listened to her with flashing
eyes.
"Then YOU will throw me over, who
worship the very ground your feet have
touched. O, Hilda, ! did not think il
Of you. Ny father was right" he con-
tinued. gloomily. He said all women
are alike-seliish and mercenary.
Don't, Cyril ! know you cannot be
ieye it Of me Hear me Ii YOU We're
10 be crippled in mind and body, and
miserably poor, and no one else had a
prior claim to you, would work my.
self to a shadow for you, and consider
myself happy il doing ~. i i because
love you better than myself that Nil
not let YOU do wrong. But ! will prom
ise to 60 solitary and alone, SO far as
human love Is concerned, to my grave
iflt so be that NE cannot marry. Dear
dearest Cyril. 20 home to your father
and do as he wishes, fully and entirely
Gods blessing will surely rest upon the
dutiful son.
Her voice broke With wild i'm,
pulse she threw her arms around hi,
neck and kissed him again and again
between her sobs 1t WAS her farewell
The next moment Cyril va standing
alone III tic porch, and tile heavy dool
was shut and holted between them.
After 4 few moments OF bewilderinl
hesitation he mounted and rode away
He could not but think forgiyingly Q
Hilda a. tie recalled her anguishec
sohs, and felt her kisses burning upor
his forehead she who had ever been 4
ehary Of her caresses.
strive a. he might, he did not So