Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-04-24
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY

THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY.
The Glenhams were designated by
all who knew them as a fine family.
The father was retired lawyer, who,
after amassing comfortable fortune,
purchased a handsome country seat
some ten miles from the metropolis
and babe farewell to the city for the
greater portion of the year. His wife
had been a belle in her youth, but was
now content with respectable sta
ton among the fashionable matrons
of the day, and occupied herself with
plans for advancing the fortunes of
her girls, by means of eligible ALI
ances. The daughters were FIVE in
number; three sons, the eldest of
whom was in business in New York,
and the remaining two in college,
completed the family circle.
pray, who is that MIR. Summerall,
Ellen, who was so attentive to you at
the picnic?" asked Mrs. Glenham one
afternoon, of her second daughter.
HE is a young man, believe,
who has but recently left college,
but where does he come from /?
Does anybody know his father and
mothert And what are his pros
poets o.
''Of his pedigree I know nothing,
Of his prospects but little save that
he has not yet decided upon profess
SION
HE seemed very particular, 1
thought. in his attentions to you.
Where did he get introduced
AT Mrs. Trelawney's ball last
spring. He was introduced by Mrs.
Trelawney herself.
'sThat woman has such passion
for new faces that she is continually
getting into scrapes in the choice OF
her acquaintance. 1t was through
her indiscriminate patronage that the
French barber, who figured so largely
at some of the balls last winter, was
Struggled into society. He brought a
letter of introduction to her from
some friend in Paris, who recon-
mended him as an unrivalled c0lfeMr.
Poor Mrs. Trelawney, not knowing
what the word meant, took it for
granted that it was at any rate some
thing very genteel. She forthwith
invited the fellow to dinner. He saw
her mistake and had the shrewd ness
to avail himself, of it. -
Il do not apprehend that MI. SUM
neral will turn ont to be any such
character"
Perhaps not. my dear. But l
would have you exert proper eau
ton until we are satisfied regarding
him. The country swarms with
adventures.
The conversation between the
mother and daughter, which we have
lust recorded, had not been concluded
many minutes when the subject of it,
MI. Summerall, himself, made his ap.
pearance. A slight flush passed over
Ellen's cheek as his name was an
nounced. 1t not unnoticed by her
mother, who, as she swept by her to
leave the room-for the morning dress
of the matron was as yet unchanged
whispered, with warning glance:
Mind-no encouragement, Ellen!,
Il have come to bid you farewell
for long, long time. Miss Glenham, ="
said Summerall, looking intently in
her face.
you do not intend leaving the
country !'' asked Ellen, in a tone of
earnestness, at which she herself was
so startled that a sudden blush over
spread her check.
'sSuch is my intention" he replied.
81 have finally abandoned the idea of
attaching myself to one of the learned
professions, and shall sail tomorrow
for South America, where [ have an.
excellent opportunity of entering up
on commercial career. Were alone
in the world-had l myself only to
provide for-my inclinations would
impel me to different pursuit. But
I have q mother and two fatherleSs
sisters, who, if notin INDECENT circum-
stances, have been deprived by I'M
forseen events of many of the COM
forts to which they have been &C
customed. The hope of assisting
them has determined me in taking the
step which propose"
EilIen's voice trembled as she re.
piled: 1--WE shall be very sorry to
lose you. When will you return %
Perhaps not for five years-perhaps
in less time. Such being the uncer-
tainty, I have long hesitated, Miss
Glenham, whether it was generous in
me to say what 1 am now going to
say. And yet can words and protesta-
lions tell you so well as my actions
and looks have already told you that
in you 1 recognize my hearts destiny,
that I love you with strong, deep, en-
crossing passion
Enough no n0t-do not"
Ellen could only complete her SEN
tence by covering her face with her
handkerchief, and endeavoring to
still her heaving bosom.
BE tranquil, and hear me, my dear
Miss Glenham. Love SharpenS the
faculties, and 1 am persuaded, and I
know You will think nae above all vain
impulses in this, that there is no
individual of my sex whom you regard
with more favor than myself. I
would not speak so plainly were it
not that 1 have but few precious
minutes to remain in your presence.
I did not come to solicit from you an
exchange of pledges, to entrap you
into what the world calls an engage
ment, or even to learn from you that
my affection was reciprocated. Ihave
sought this opportunity simply to
annriSa Won of the true state of nv