The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-23
: rAnRAaAnsETr IDTLL.
Z. rlr.,pp,ncos. for April

Che wallis were thin, not even tDe squsaa ~
snannse could be heard. pen uovls NV
window. however, told Of oecn pan.ss sa n.i
stools were ON the piaz neW y sss,I.,
reviews were scattered ABOUT ~ = Aas.'''s
: uebt football broke the till,,ess; q LADY
.,nesred. who, with graceful, easy motion,
+ s,aessed and seated herself on a shady pat.
cnny overlooking the sea. The little waves
sinrled softly up and broke away again on
ths beach. white sails shone In the dis-
fance and fieecy clouds foatec overneau IN
Tho nynnisire blue OF the sky. The fpecta-
tar noted ali this, and drank IN the WONDER,
snJ heoufv OF the day. Although Int resteQ
=, ber hook. she could not forhear conslant
plances at the scene about her.
Az her eyes Iested on o 1ntt1ng rock sus
saw some one taking observations; He pun
IN an eye-glass to assure himseH tnat IL Was
indeed she; then clambered oyer lne sn ss.
yen;no obstacles and fastened toward her
She looked at first annoyed, ana as II
nneditatinc an escape; then relinquisDea
The idea. and composed herself with po-
lI,e smile 10 greet the intruder. be also
smiled as he lifted bis hat, and displayed
very handsome teeth, quite at variance WNh
his evidently advanced years. bis features
wore regular, his gray hair was cut as snor'
NO pessibie, and be had decidedly distln'
He seated himself with deierential ex.
preston beside her: "HoW fortunate
am. Really j had no idea when strayeo
out this afternoon that anything so pieasan
was to befall me-" This was sratner nyp Ss
critical, as he had strayed out. rs ne cailee
II for the very purpose OF this encounter
The lady smiled graciously upon him.
Mrs. Page" be exclaimed, suddenly
unermit me to resume the conversation
which was interrupted 30 unhsppily The
cab, Mr.. Lee,o with deprecating air
"wby not contne ourselves to Ordinary
topics? l like you so much, and am 81
eager 10 retain your friendship, that have
not the courage to oppose you; yet"
She had charming, pretty, graceful ways
not wholly, free from coauetry. she iancet
at him sbyly. and blushed little, In spit'
of the awful disparity in their ages. ~;
"And yet" he repeated easf''
"what does yeti imply ?',ssa ~ J, she sn-
81 prefer friends to- love'n LIZ la g.
"But, my dear Mrs. 1 asgs:iS Friendship
censorious, and viii De es
between men and wons,sesst sarcastic. Dit.
His tone was so or opposition.
Lee eyident,y. oSk se pout on the sea, then up
Mrs. Psse lo oSgnn" II I could only be
at her coaaa,pcnl1 she whispered softly.
Z your az y;ss n awful hit at my years, and
:" g. lD 70 be excessively angry. Such an
oulgsnnrement could not be carried into effect.
came young fellow would steal you from
me. Besides, my resi- daughter might not
like it, you know" -
CHOW would she like your having
Young wiie?" Tell me frankly, Mr.. Lee,
what would your children say to such an
arrangement"
..Frankly, my dear Mrs. Page, think
they will not like it at all; but shall rea-
son calmly and automatically with them,
and prove very clearly that it is their duty
to-" and he besitatcd.
"Make the best OF it." "
"WelI, yes; and very soon they will be
as much in love with you as l am"
Mrs. Page had hooking, increduious
air, which Mr.. Lee ignored.
II shall say to them, although the day
I marry her propose to settle million on
nv future wife"
"Oh, Mr.. Lee !"-her face crimsoned-.
show can you propose tc-to-bribe me in
that open way?"
sBy no manner OF means. This is what
/ am to say to my children. am not saying
it to you, only rehearsing. Don't interrupt
me for a moment, please: This million
which settle on the charming person who
eondescends to become my wife should
otherwise give to hospital, therefore
hsW does it affect you, my dears p" =
"I am very impairment, but do you love
your children much?" ,.s
Eyes, am very fond Of them, but give
them all they ask-let them do what they
please. Why should not do what / please !?
have an idea that they will oppose me
here" in frank tone, "which / confess
irritates me somewhat against them. How
overland his voice became tender
again-"only give me permission to make
the announcement, and all difficulties will
be removed r.
Mrs. Page looked distressed and perpleX-
ed. CHOW many children have you, Mr.
Lee?" =.
81 have four"
:" Are you sure they will dislike it?
Four OF them How can l endure four
enemies In my household
"You will have one friend, am sure,
among them. There is my son William
he is magnificent fellow-noble. good,
superior. He certainly disdains all mer-
cenary considerations; the others may too,
but I am sure Of William. William, you,
aud against Gertrude, Archie and Jack
we certainly can hold our own"
Mrs. Page with downcast eyes had pass
ed through every phase OF blushing and agi-
tation while be spoke.
Mr.. Lee, who was shrewd, marked these
signs and took courage: MY dear, can
you not comfort me littIe?" j =,
"There: are so many objections she
sighed. ~
"Name them,n he exclaimed eagerly. 49,
"Your children" in ialtering tone.
ooh, we have disposed OF them"
H. soy~ Nss4r IN
years." ina whisper. "All the world will
think-Dear Mr.. Lee, let me say no, and
like me always in spite OF it.
st can't consent to anything OF the kind.
XIV money Is good: it bridges over the
chasm between-eightcen, is it land fifty.
The million propose to settle on you"
"Very WELL" she interrupted, eli you
propose to buy me, there's an end to our
negotiation" ".
"On the other hand, am perfectly will.
ing that my siXty-fye years-I am really
seyenty--should Offset with money your"
"Thirty,o she replied.
There was brief silence. MIR. Lee was
evidently taking counsel with bimson.
"Mrs. Page, am going to confde in you.
I am bot sure that it is quite right or kind
in me to say, this; but have bad very
unhappy life, although the world considers
me a fortunate man. My wife was great
invalid. INDUCED her in every possible
way; her least whims were respected; but
all that made existence worth having was,
sacrificed In the effort. Our beautiful
homes were scenes OF darkness and gloom,
noise maddened her, all guests and gaiety
los