The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-12-23
"Ah, that is it! Very well. I am salts
ed to have YOU here as long as you will

And the colonel looked with pride on his
beautiful daughter, who recalled so wildly
the mother when she was bride, more than
q score of years before.
It was just like the proud young woman,
who, without any appearance Of excitement
or agitation of manner came to the momen-
tous subject which was really the cause OF
her being there.
You say, father, that you admire or
rather respect Sydney very much?"
"That is substantially what I said"
"As much as any young gentleman Of
your acquaintance"
Really, more"
How would you like him for a son-in-
law?"
The colonel turned as if struck by pistol
shot, and looked leenly at his daughter
without speaking for full minute. Geral
dine herself seemed to be picking the sprig
of magnolia, while she looked unconsciously
down at it; but, for all her forced composure,
the crimson blood crept under the rich skin
Of her countenance, and strive as much as
she might, she could not hide the fact from
her father that her heart was throbbing
more unanimously then ever before.
Suddenly he exclaimed
''What!'
II think you heard me, father" said Ger
herself as yet to look up.
Are you in earnest, my daughter?"
This was uttered in the same low, but
firm voice.
Come here, my child"
The colonel kept his seat, while Geraldine,
standing beside him, looked down in his face.
He took her hand affectionately, while he
asked;
HAS he proposed to your"
"He has"
':Have you accepted him?"
II could not do that until had first re-
ceived your permission"
''Does he love your
Geraldine laughed in spite of herself.
Il have strong impression that he would
scarcely ask me to marry him unless he
thought pretty we'll of me-"
"Of course-of course; but do you love
him?''
with my whole heart and soulr'
There was fervency, depth of feeling,
in this exclamation, accompanied by the
flushed cheeks, the sparkling eye and trem-
ulous hand that rested in the palm of her
father, which spoke her soulful earnestness.
"Well, if that's the case," said Col. Spen-
Ger, throwing away his cigar, AL I've got
to say is you are both COMPOUNDED simple
tons if you don't get malried-there!"
This was consent with considerable en-
phasis.
Poor Geraldine! The proud, brave girl
broke down at last. She knew it would be a
terrible sacrifice for her father to yield her
to another, and she had the gravest doubts
of ever receiving his consent, but he gave it
SO promptly and willingly that she could
only throw her arms about his neck and
murmur between his sobs:
You're the best father that ever lived,
and hate to leave you"
''Never mind about that" he replied,
soothingly; II know it will be your happi-
ness to do SO, could never forgive myself
if stood in your way. shall fix you in a
with you about four ffths of the time. If
either or both undertake to interfere with
me shall put you both out of the house."
The happy Geraldine gave her father an
other hug, and seemed loath to leave him;
but he said:
Come, daughter; Sydney know is
waiting for your answer. Go and tell him.
hope he will feel better"
II know he will, was the laughing utter
ance of Geraldine, as she tripped away.
Sidney Williams was but short distance
off, As the father turned his head to fol-
low his daughter, he saw the mans head,
covered with it's huge, curly wig, restingu up
on his arms, as though he were asleep
though that was hardly possible under the
circumstances.
AS Geraldine passed beyond she caught
sight of her lover, and turned abruptly and
approached him SO softly that he did not
hear her.
He had thrown his head forward on his
arms, resting on the stand, and he formed
strange figure in his English suit of form
er generation.
Gerardine stood moment, with throbbing
heart, looking down upon and admiring
him; then seized by sudden fancy, she
stepped closer, and leaning over, gently
touched his hand with the sprig of magnolia,
which she stillheld.
Sydney moved as though it were fly, and
then she laughed in low, soft, merry way
which caused him to raise his head and look
longingly up in the beautiful face.
on, speak" he gasped. HAS he con-
The poor fellows whole soul was in the
question, and she saw how cruel it was to
keep him in suspense.
HE says he thinks we would be simple
tons if we didn't marry each other
Sydney caught her in his arms, and it
may be said the contract was signed then
and there.
The young man was always partial to the
sweet perfume of the magnolias, but now
since it is associated so intimately with his
winning the love of his heart, there is moth
ing in the world of vegetable nature to
which he is SO partial as sprig Of magno-
liza
Deceptive Appearances.
She was a narrow -chested, small featured
old lady, dressed in rusty black bombazine,
with prodigious poke bonnet Of the same