Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-11-06
"Fred's Wife," ="


dear; It can't be. You and Fred. had
best set to work to forget each other
Gol knows. Pm sorry fof your dlsap-
pointment, but, after all, it isn't TO bt
wondered at that your uncle Elliot
should have formed high views for hi
son and heir. Take my advice anC
never let him know that 1t is you whom
Fred would have chosen; he is hard
stern man. andit might make him you
enemy. When am gone you'll nee'
friends, poor child! alone and almes
penniless in the wide world
The invalid gentleman put out del
icate hand and stroked the sunny hal
of his pretty daughter, as she knelt be
side him; alond and bitter sigh brok
from her lips.
AS 10 your marrying withaut hi
consent, as Fred proposed the othe
day, that is quite out Of the question
Fred is dependent upon his father, o
course, and as when l diet wont b
long, Amy, feel worse than ever to
day-whcn | die my annuity dies with
me, there will be nothing for you. And
Fred has never been taught to do one
thing that could support himself, much
less a wife aud family. No, no; if my
brother.in-law had chosen l would have
given you to your cousin gladly. though
he is rather a wild fellow, l fear; but
without his consent it would be mad
ness-madness.'
Mr.. Rivers sank back in his invalid's
chair overcome by the exertion of SO
leng speech, and Amy, seeing his
condition. forebore to urge him further;
and indeed, as she shortly afterwards
remarked to Fred, what was there to
be gained by doin so?
Poor papa cant help US, If he could
he wsuld, very gladly. 1t weuld please
him that l should be your wife. But
that's hopeless, weeping silently
since uncle has set his heart op anoth-
er daughter-in-law. You didn't tell him
it was | YOU loved, did you Fred?'
He didn't give me a chance. He is
such an arbitrary fellow, is my father!
The best fellow in the world, you know,
at heart, but wants to have everything
his own way. Don't talk TO me ol
another woman, sir, says he, You'll
marry the girl choose for you, sr III
cut you of with a shilling! Leave the
room, and don't come into my presence
again until you are prepared to obey
me- That was yesterday; and
haven't troubled him slnce.'
And what will you do now. Fred:
IN tell you, my darling; | have
plan that will pat az end to all our
troubles and my fathers opposition al
thosame time. | cant obey him. ANY;
he nAs no right to embilter al! my life.
and yours, too, for the qualification OF
his own ambition. We have loved
each other from our childhood; why
didn' t he torrsce all this, and not throw
us so much together, if nothing was t.
come Of it: And he is fond Of you too.
firmly believe that if we were once
married, so that it couldn't be helped
he'd pardon US and make the best Of it
propose that We get married privately
at once-yes, this very day
Amy didn't answer a word. She
looked at him with lovely, half-rghten-
ed eyes. while he poured forth q per.
fectly bewllderedipg torrent of reasons.
arguments, persuasions. and entrea.les.
'Dut my iather:' she said, at last
when he gave her chance to speak
He would never consent to snch ;
thing
we won't ask him, darling; we won
! tell q single soul. Why worry your sleI
father? We know he wished Us 10 be
man and wife. AS to my father, he is
most philosophical individual, and vii
probably apply his fayori!e maxim t.
Gus case-'wnat can't be cured must b,
endured.' You cannot think it righ
that should obey him by making tha
ola maid, Miss Staines, my wife, Will
my whole heart is yours
She did not think So nor was it il
nature that she should, poor child.
no, it tcan't be right for you to d
. that, Fred she said, timidly.
'Of course not, My father is ricl
enough; why's he so avarlcious' Th
course | have suggested will be bes
for us all-fatner included. You Wi
marry me to-day, my darling, won
you?'
She loved him dearly. She had love
him all her life, and to think ofhim a
the husband Of another was more tha
she could bear. Her few faint obiec!
tons were easily overruled, and q
Fred had come prepared 10 have hi
own way, and had made all the neces
sary preparations, together they re
=. paired to quiet country-place close a
hand, aud there took the vows thu
bound them to each other till deaf
doth part.
1t was evening when Amy reache
her home. after an absence Of abou
eight hours-a most unusal length q
time for her to remain away from he
J, sick father. Her anxietes were all fo
him now.
How he Will wonder what has de
4 tanned me! | snail have To tell hIm al
Fred, if he questions me-