The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-06-29
PAPA'S BLESSING.
BY VI. VI. g,

81 have asked Wynn to come out
this evening to talk over little busi-
ness, Dora. If he should arrive before
! get here you must see to him, until |
come. Be kind and polite to him, my
dear He is really very wellmean
ing and unassuming fellow, and the
most useful bookkeeper have ever
had. He has seemed little out of
sorts lately, and am sure would be
most grateful for any little attention
from you"
This Richard Blair, the rich tea
merchant, had said to daughter in the
the morning, on leaving his pretty villa
for the city, with an amount OF POM
pous condescension which clearly man
ifested his sentiments with regard to
bookkeepers and their kind
Dora was an obedient daughter, as
her reception of her fathers guest that
evening plainly showed; but certainly
the worthy tea merchant would have
found abundant cause to retract his
opinion as to the same guests modest
and unassuming character if he had
been a witness of his demeanOr ON that
occasions for no sooner had the door
closed upon the servant who ushered
him into the presence of his young
mistress than--unabashed and unblush
ing he took the young girl into his
arms, only releasing her after leaving
upon her ripe red lips at least half a
dozen warm kisses.
Dora not appearing in the least sur
prised or disconnected at this greeting
bore unhinchingly the situation fol
fully two minutes before she blushing
ly drew back and endeavored to bring
into something like order her soft
brown hair, which, with the dainty
ruffies at her throat, had become some
what disarranged by the welcome SHE
had SO obediently given her fathers
| guest.
''It is long time since | have seer
you, Harry" she remarked, with {
bewildering glance from beneath thu
thick lashes shading the large gra!
eyes.
81 should think so, indeed--quite al
agel" responded the book-keepe
dismally. Il managed to get ava.
half an hour before the time you
father told me he should be home
hoping to see you alone but he'll b.
sure to turn up before he's expected
It's just my luck y
"Harry, do you know why III,
father has sent for you to-night?"
81 haven't an idea, excepting tha
it's something about the branch of bus
iness in Hong Kong.
81 can enlighten you little, ther
though ! hardly think you will be a
pleased as my father seems to expect
One of the men in the house out ther
has Just died he had rather respor
sible position, | believe, and pap
wants to send you out to take hi
place"
"As if anything could induce me +
leave you, Dora y cried the youn
man. "Why, the separation woul'
probably be for years y
II am afraid you must go, Harry,
vas the girls rather sorrowful r,
sponse. "lou know my father you
refusal to obey his wishes would prob
ably make something very mnch lik
an enemy of him, and render matter
between us even more hopeless tina
they are at present
"Dora, must speak to your fathe
cried the young man eXcitedly. "Whe
he finds that his daughters happines
is involved, he cant be heartles
enough TO refuse our united prayers
He seems to feel rather kindly towar
me, Anything would be better tha
this uncertainty"
mo, dear Harry. Believe me,
would only be exchanging uncertaint
for positive resignation of all OF
hopes. l know my father well, and
is useless to hide from myself and yo
that he loves money far better tina
his child. He has declared over an
over again that he will never give h
consent to my marriage with ma
poorer than himself; and know
will never retract his word
"And you advise me TO go off
China, with the probability of nev,
seeing you again, Dora Nothing ca
be worse than that, SURELY
"Oh, Harry,I must have time to thinl
| heard of it only this morning." erie
Dora, on the verge of tears. "The
comes papa now, and have so muC
still to say to you. l must see yc
again. Could You manage to con
down on Thursday at this time f
half an hourl My father is going to
dinner in the city on that evening"
"Of course | can, responded Harr
Just as the door opened to admit tl
master of the establishment.
"Oh, Wynn, you arrived frs
Prompt as ever--amost excellent qua
W in young man. | hope my daug
ter has made you comfortable
Dora y
81 tried to do so, papa respond
the young lady, demurely, II ST
pose my company can be dispens
with now I"
"Yes, my DEAR you may go,
. the way, you may as well send III
bottle of wine, please"
"Well, Wynn" began the mercha
when the two men We're left alone,
he walked up and down the room, c
/ - 4