San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-03-30
HAPPY AT LAST.

II do wish, Marguerite, you'd listen
to common sense" said Mrs. Dale.
Mrs. Dale was sitting by table op
posite to rose .twined window, whenc,
lovely summer landscape stretched
itself away-green meadow VS., braided
with the silver band of tiny river
and clusters OF woods seeming to lear
against the sky. uaas q,
She was widow who had not vel
lost all the fair rounded outlines of hel
girlish beauty, or the luxurient auburn
braids of her yet uusilvered hair.
And Marguerite. her lovely daugh-
ter, sat on the other side of the table,
the slanting sunlight touching her
golden tresses, and her dazzling COM
plexion seemed purer and more like
a newly blossomed sweet pea than ever
by contrast with her light dress.
"Well, mamma" Marguerite Dale
spoke almost recklessly, "what would
you have me do?" .... r......
"Mr. Alcotte has proposed to you?"
Eyes"
Marguerite's hand involuntarily
closed over the open letter in her lap,
while she turned her face suddenly
away, as if the glow of the noon sun
light hurt her eyes. = 81 .'i 81
"And you actually intend to refuse
him ?" persisted Mrs. Dale.
Marguerite shuddered slightly.
Then rising, she crossed to her
mothers side, and placing her hand on
the back of her chair, looked down into
the upturned face.
mamma, would you have me marry
man whom do not lover ~
my dear, my dear" reasoned the
mother, "this idea of love is truly Wis
ionary. True happiness is founded
solely on esteem"
mamma, that's nonsense!"
Marguerite
"Well, mamma, it is. And am not
going to barter away the gold of my
heart for any such dry leaves of theory.
I love ono man only, and that is Geotf-
rey Rossmoro. And L will never marry
anyone else"
"But, Marguerite, dear" Mrs. Dale
was half frightened by the vehemence
of her daughters "Geoffrey
Rossmore is dead"
"How do / know that he is dead?"
The ship was lost-but there have been
many instan ces in which one or two, or
even half dozen persons, have sur
vived worse shipwreck than that.
And know-oh, mamma! l feel it, in
my soul that he is not dead. My heart
would not beat now were there not an
answering throb to it somewhere in
this wide world"
"Then where is he? How do you
account for this long and unbroke 81
lence on his part?" demanded Mrs.
Dale. ... ~.
IL don't account for it, mammal
only trust
Marguerite" pleaded her mother,
"he has forgotten you, even If he is
still alive. Give him up. Prove your
womanly pride and spirit.
But Marguerite resolutely shook her
head.
"My daughter" went on Mrs. Dale,
"Mr. Alcotte is your uncle's friend. |
One reason of my coming to your un-
cles house this summer was to afford
you this golden opportunity. Here it
lies at your feet-wealth, ease, lux
uriant home for your mother, as well
as for yourself"
Mamma, [ would rather go out
working by the day." interrupted Mar
guerite.
work, then, ungrateful grill" burst
out Mrs. Dale angrily. For GER
taiuly shall no longer remain pen
sioner on Colonel Dale's bounty, since
you have contemptuously spurned his
best friend from you. Sew-scrub-
suits you best. Some
thing it is necessary for you to do, and
that quickly" ..
Marguerite retired, pale and silent,
and went to her uncle's room.
Colonel Dale was bending absorb .
edly over some letters; he looked up
with start as Marguerite entered.
well, Peggy" he said carelessly,
for his pretty niece was rather favor
tie with him, have you come to tell
me you will be Fernando Alcotte's
xife?" 49,.
mo, uncle" answered Marguerite
firmly. ..a.
~Why not2" demanded the old man.
Il do not love him"
We'll said Colonel Dale, intently
her, and why don't you love
him? Are you still thinking of that
, 9 'er-do-vell, Geofrey Rossmore, who
rss sh ipvrecked six months sgol