The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-11-19
A WIFE's SECRET.


~ dear; It can't be. You and
Fred had best set to work to forget each
other. God knows, I'm sorry for your
disappointment, but, after all, it isn't to
be wondered at that your uncle Elliot
should have formed high views for his
son and heir. Take my advice and
never let him know that IL is you whom
Fred would have chosen he is a hard,
stern man, and it might make him your
enemy. When l am gone you'll need
friends, poor child alone and almost
penniless in the wide world"
The invalid gentleman put out deli
cate hand and stroked the sunny hair of
his pretty daughter, as she knelt beside
him. a long and bitter sigh broke from
his lips.
" AS to your marrying without his
consent, as Fred proposed the other day,
that is quite out of the question. Fred
is dependent upon his father, of course,
and as when L die-it won't be long,
Amy, feel worse than ever to-day
when die my annuity dies with me,
there Will be nothing for you. And
Fred was never taught to do one thing
that could support himself, much less a
wife and 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, fear but without
his consent it would be madness-mad-
ness"
Mr.. River sank back in his invalids
chair overcome by the exertion of so
long speech, and Amy, seeing his con-
dition, forbore to urge him further; and
indeed, as she shortly afterwards re-
marked to Fred, what was there to be
gained by doing SO +?
Poor papa can't help us. If he
could he would, very gladly. 1t would
please him that should be your wife.
But that's hopeless, weeping silently
-" since uncle has set his heart upon
another daughter-in-law. You didn't
tell him it was 1 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 of an
other woman, SIR says he. You'll
marry the girl 1 choose for you, or I'll
cut you off with shilling Leave the
room, and don't come into my presence
again until you are prepared to obey me-. ;
That was yesterday; and 1 haven't
troubled him since"
"And what will you do now, Fred ?"
"I'll tell you, my darling L have a
plan that will put an end to all our
troubles and my fathers opposition at
the same time. can't obey him, Amy !;
he has no right to embitter all my life,
and yours, too, for the qualification of
his own ambition. We have loved each
other from our childhood; why didn't
he foresee all this, and not throw us so
much together, if nothing was to come
of itY And he is fond of you too.
firmly believe that if we were once mar
ried, so that it couldn't be helped, he'd
ldluOh ctlU tlC OSSD vi IL.
propose that we get married privately at
once-yes, this very day."
Amy didn't answer word. She look
ed at him with lovely, halffrightened
eyes while he poured forth o perfectly
bewildering torrent of reasons, argu-
ments, pursuasions, and entreaties.
"But my father ?' she said, at last,
when he gave her chance to speak.
" He would never consent to such
thing"
We won't ask him, darling; we
won't tell single soul. Why worry
your sick father? We know he wished
US to be man and wife. AS to my father,
he is a most philosophical individual,
and will probably apply his favorite
maxim to our case what can't be
cured must he endured You cannot
think it right that should obey him by
making that old maid, Miss Staines,
my wife, while my whole heart is
yours ?''
She did not think so, nor was it in
nature that she should, poor child.
=" No, it can't be right for you to do
that, Fred" she said, timidly.
''Of course not. My father is rich
enough why is he so avariciousl The
course l have suggested will be best for
us all-father included. You will marry
me to-day, my darling, won't you Y''
She loved him dearly. She had loved
him all her life, and to think of him as
the hlsha nd of anntLar s..ns Iaaaro tkn.,