Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-10-11

= rihce. His pride revolted at the thought
Harry's white face told him more
plainly than words could have done the
pain he inflicted, but he tried to soften
e the blow as well as he could, advising
the young man TO leave New York for
. a time, or till he should, in measure,
T recover from the disappointment, prof.
fering his protege also a sum of money
+ sufficient to defray the expense of an
extended journey through the South.
But Harry proudly refused to accept
: the money, and considering himself
discharged, left the sumptuous home
where, for eight long years, he had re-
ceived the same consideration as though
he were indeed the bankers son. He
I did not leave the city, however, and
the banker was chagrined to learn, a
few days thereafter, that Harry had en-
gagged as book-keeper in the banking
firm of Clavering IL Sons, not half a
; mile away.
Mr.. Harcourt forbade his daughter
all further acquaintance with the por-
tionless young man, trusting that in
time she would learn to forget him.
And here the too conliding father ex-
pected the affair to end. For Grace
had ever rendered loving obedience to
her fathers wishes. Never before had
his will crossed hers in any serious
matter. But the banker had vet to
learn that an indOmitable spirit lurked
beneath the calm exterior of the fair
daughter, who would arrange matters
to her entire satisfaction, and compel
him, eventually, to submit to her de-
mands.
And this was the situation of affairs
on the December evening when Francis
Clavering and his young wife, who
had warmly espoused the lovers cause,
invited Grace and Harry to take seats
with them in their carriage, for the
sole purpose of granting them, un-
known to Mr. Harcourt, the opportu-
nifty for an interview together.
The deception Grace was forced to
| practice was repugnant to her, yet not
withstanding her fathers endeavor to
prohibit ali future acquaintance be-
tween them, she could not resist the
temptation of meeting the object of her
affections whenever, as on this even
ing, the opportunity was presented to
her.
"The end justifies the MEANS" she
said to herself as she entered the ele-
giant home and removed her wraps pre-
paratory to rejoining her father in the
| parlor.
But when the servant threw open the
door to admit her, she observed an ele-
gantly dressed young man seated in
close proximity to her parent, a lit
tie frown flashed across her fair face,
but she quickly dispelled it, and en-
tered the apartment with her usual
ease of manner
The young man arose at her en-
trance; saying, with empreSSment:
81 am delighted to meet you, Miss
Grace. But [ need not ask if you are
well; your bright and blooming face
assures me that you are in excellent
health"
And yourself, Mr.. LesternP" said
Grace, with cold politeness.
Admirably, my dear girl, admira-
bly,"
And he seated himself beside her.
You have been calling on the
charming Mrs. Clavering, your father
tells me, but the hour has seemed in
terminable while awaiting your re-
turn"
Whenever they met there was a Sc
cret feeling of antagonism between
these twoi the young girls pure in
stincts warning her that this man was |
false at heart, while he as fully compre-
hended not only her want of love, but !
her distrust and aversion toward him
self.
At former interview Grace had |
frankly informed him of the state of |
her affections, at the same time assur- |
ing the young man that she could never
marry him. An honorable man, she
considered, would have taken very
different course from that then pur-
sued by MIR. Lestern, for, sure of her
fathers sanction, he continued boldly
to press his suit; not because he enter
tanned any affection for her, however,
but for the sole reason that ruin stared
him in the face unless he could gain
possession of this young girl and her
fortune. Her proud indifference of
manner eXasperated him beyond meas
ure. Still he managed to maintain a
calm and smiling demeanor when in
her presence, consoling himself with
the thought that by and by, when she
should become his wife, he would pay
her for the cold treatment he was forced
to accept at her hands.
But our young exquisite was in ex-
cellent spirits, this evening. Had not
the rich banker, at his entreaty, again
renewed the promise of giving him his
lovely daughter at the end of year,
and to entrust. also, his immense bust
ness, eventually, into Albert Lestern's
handsp
Moreover, he had entirely succeeded
in binding Mr.. Harcourt's eyes in re-
gard to his own character and none
tary affairs; for earlier in the evening,
when the elder man limited that certain
reports derogatory to the Younger
mans character had reached his knowl-
edge, Mr.. Lestern vehemently declared
said reports to be Tissue of false
hoods" without any foundation what
ever.
AS for the fair Grace, knowing that
her father would be quick to detect
mental inferiority wherever found, she
endeavored to draw Mr.. Lestern into
some literary discussion, in which she
herself delighted to engage; but, as
though divining her purpose, the young
man here arose TO take his leave, prom
ising the banker, however, to give him
self the pleasure of calling again very
soon.
After his departure n few moments
of silence elapsed, when, noting care
fully his daughters face, Mr.. Harcourt
said:
"Mr. Lestern tells me that my boy,
Harry, is about to cross the continent
to San Francisco, in the hope of there
making fortune"
els hep" said Grace, calmly, the
long brown lashes shading her beauti-
ful eyes.
Not change of expression could he
detect on his daughters face, and he
felt almost annoyed that she had borne
the intelligence so calmly. Until now
vague idea had existed in Eis mind
that Harry would return to him, and
things 90 on as smoothly as before