The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-01-01
yument with perhaps happy inspira-

~ already seen return1ng)1t by no mea1
Tx left her thoughts. At one mome1
IS; she simply resented the selfshness {
g, a man who had obtruded his dark lool
~ and passionate language on her Joy
t; for there is nothing that woman ca
e. less easily forgive than the languag
Oh OF passion which, even if only fo
la the moment, she does not share. A
W another, she suspected him Of jealous
n against her father; and for that, al
or though she could see no excuses fo
e it, she yet despised him. And at least
y IN one way or the other, here was tn
l5 dangerous beginning Of separation
between two hearts. Esther fount
1t herself at variance with her sweetes
e friend; she could no longer look into
his heart and find it written with thu
e same language as her own; she coult
no longer think OF him as the SUI
a which radiated happiness upon he1
: life, for she had turned to him once
and he had breathed upon her black
e and chilly, radiated blackness and
frost. To put the whole matter in a
word, she was beginning, although
ever so slightly, to fall out of love.
CHAPTER VI.
THE PRODIGAL FATHER GOES ON FROM
STRENGTH 70 STRENGTH.
We will not follow all the steps of
the Admiral's return and installation.
but hurry forward towards the catas-
troophe, merely chronicling by the way
a few salient Incidents, wherein we
must rely entirely upon the evidence
OF Richard, for Esther to this day has
never opened her mouth upon this
trying passage of her life, and as for
the Adlniral-well, that naval officer,
although still alive, and now more
suitably installed in a seaport town
where he has telescope and flag in
his front garden, is incapable of throw
ing the slightest gleam Of light upon
the affair. Often and often has he
remarked to the present writer: IF
know what it was all about, sir, I'll
be =" in short, be what hope he
he will not. And then he will look
across at his daughters portrait,
photograph, shake his head with an
amused appearance, and mix himself |
another grog by way of consolation.
Once have heard him go further,
and express his feelings with regard
to Esther in single but eloquent
word. "A mink, sir" he said, not in
anger, rather in amusement; and he
cordially drank her health upon the
back of it. His worst enemy must
admit him to be man without malice:
he never bore grudge in his life,
lacking the necessary taste and indus
try Of attention.
Yet it was during this obscure peri
cd that the drama was really perform
ed; and its scene was in the heart Of
Esther, shut away from all eyes. Had
this warm, upright, sullen girl been {
differently used by destiny, had events
come upon her even IN different sue I
cession, for some things lead easily to I
others, the whole course Of this tale I
would have been changed, and Esther I
never would have run away As it +
was, through a series Of acts and C
words Of which we know but few, and t
series Of thoughts which any one L
nay imagine for himself, she was
in four days from the dream o
# a life.
The first tangible cause of olsen RI
,hantment was when Dick brought a
lome a painters arsenal on Friday a
vening. The Admiral was in the a.
once more ''sirrup- 7
,lng" some brandy and water, and O.
esther sat at the table at work. They n
10Th came forward to greet the new IL
rriVal; and the girl, relieving him of h
us monstrous burthen, proceeded to D
lsplay her offerings to her father al
an Tromp's countenance fell several in
egrees; he became quite querulous. IL
"God bless me-" he said; and then. tt
| must really ask you not to inter I'll
ere, child" in a tone Of undisguised
ostility.
Father" she said, 'forgive me; I in
new you had given up your art dr
"Oh, yes!" cried the Admiral; I've jo
one with it to the judgment-dayr' th
Pardon me again" she said firmly, as
but L do not, | cannot think that YOU so
re right in this. Suppose this world pc
unjust, suppose that no one under oh
'ands you, you have still duty to
ourself. And, oh, don't spoil the bl
leasure OF your coming home to me; sal
low me that you can be my father ID
Id yet not neglect your destiny. I
n not like some daughters; [ will lie
ot be jealous of your art, and | will
y to understand it" sol
The situation was odiously farcical
ichard groaned under it.; he longed uls
leap forward and denounce the eff;
lmbug And the humbug himself? wi
0 you fancy he was easier in his the
ind? l am sure, on the other hand, tro
at he was accurately miserable; and to
betrayed his sufferings by per- rip
city silly and undignifed access of he
mper, during which he broke his
pc In several pieces, threw his brandy aft
d water in the fire, and employed sha
'rds which were very plain although Ma
drift of them was somewhat vague off
was of very brief duration. Van ped
omp was himself again, and in cou
'st delightful humor, within three to $
nutes of the first explosion. COLI
Il am an old fool" he said frankly. the
was spoiled when child. As for did
u, Esther, you take after your of
'ther; you have morbid sense of retl
ty, particularly, for others; strive frol
linst it my dear-strive against it. sun
ID as for the pigments, well, I'll use of
IN, some Of these days; and to show inst
It I'm in earnest, I'll get.Dick here L
prepare a canvas" roo,
Dick was put to this menial task yisi
thwith, the Admiaral not even Var
tching how he did, but quite occu- exp
d with another grog and a pleasant diffe
n of talk. thal
little after Esther arose, ard colo colo