The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-03-03

ment before replying. A very singular
thing for her to do
He wished me to leave him for 8
short time"
"Ah, that is it Very well. am
satisfied to have you here as long as you
will stay"
And the Colonel looked with pride
upon his beautiful daughter, who re,
called so wildly the mother when she
was bride, more than a score of year,
before.
1t was just like the proud, young wo
man, who, without any appearance OF
excitement or agitation of manner,
came to the momentous 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 / said. >
AS much as any young gentleman of
your acquaintance ?"
Really more"
.'How would you ike him for SON.
in-law ?"
The Colonel turned as if struck by n
pistol shot, and looked keenly at his
daughter, without speaking for a full
minute. Geraldine herself seemed to
be picking the prig of magnolia, while
she looked uneonsciously down at it !;
but, for all her forced composure, the
crimson blood crept up 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 than
ever before
Suddenly he exclaimed
"Whati''
81 think you heard me, father" said
Geraldine, in low voice, without trust
ing herself as yet to look up.
Are you in earnest, my daughter ?"
This was uttered in the same low, but
firm voice.
'tCome 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 you ?"
''He has"
"Have you accepted him ?"
81 could not do that until had first
received your permission" v
"Does he love you ?"
Geraldine laughed, in spite of herself.
II have strong impression that he
would scarcely ask me to marry him,
unless he thought pretty well of me"
"Of course-of course; but do you
love him ?"
with my whole heart and SOUL"
There was a fervency, depth of feel
ing, in this exclamation, accompanied
by the flushed cheek, the sparkling eye
and tremulous hand that rested in the
palm of her fathers which spoke her
soulful earnestness.
"Well, if that's the case" said Colonel
Spencer, throwing away his cigar, ''all |
I've got to say is you are both confound-
ed simpletons if you don't get married |
there
This was consent with considerable
emphasis.
Poor Geraldine! The proud brave girl
broke down at last. She knew it would I
be a terrible sacrifice for her father to
yield her to another, and she had gray
EST doubts of ever receiving his consent,
but he gave it So promptly and willing
y that she could only throw her arms
about his neck and murmur between
her sobs:
"You're the best father that ever
lived, and hate to leave you"
''Never mind about that, he replied,
II know it will be your hap
oiness to do so. never could forgive
myself if stood in your way. / shallfi
you Ill house to suit myself, and then
shall live with you about fve-ffths of
The time. If either or both under
AXE to interfere with me, l shall put
you both out of the house.
The happy Geraldine gave her father
another hug, and seemed lOath to leave
aim, but he said:
"Come, daughter, Sydney know is
waiting for your answer. Go and tell
him. 1 hope he will feel better"
81 know he will" was the laughing
ltterance of Geraldine, as she tripped
away.
Sydney Williams was but short dis
ance off. As the father turned his head
20 follow his daughter, he saw the mans
lead, with is huge, curly wig, resting
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
hat 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 a former generation.
Geraldine stood moment, with
heart, looking down upon and
ldmiring him; then, seized by sudden
fancy, she stepped closer, and leaning
over, gently touched his hand with
;prig of magnolia. which she still held.
Sydney moved as though it were
1y, and then she laughed in a low, soft,
merry way which caused him to raise
his head and look lovingly up in the
beautiful face.
ooh, speak !" he gasped. HAS he
The poor fellows whole soul was in
the question, and she saw how cruel it
was to keep him in suspense.
s'He says he thinks we will be simple
tons if we don't marry each other"
Sydney caught her in his arms, and
it may be said the contract was sealed |
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 nothing in the world, of vege-
table nature to which he is so partial as
4 sprig of magnolia.