The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-02-08

Mrs. Merdon's disapproval of her
daughters visit to the observatory with
Seymour broadened into anger as his
calls were repeated, and repeated often.
An intimacy grew between the young
people that, even to themselves they did
not undertake TO explain. The girls
friendship hal opened new world to
the hard-worked student. Had he
known more of life, he would have
known that he was falling in love. Over
the other secret was stealing as steadi-
ly as comes over us the morning. A
month had passed since the senior par
ty. Tie two sat again in the telescope
room. She seemed to be studying the
stars.
And you remember" she was ask
ing. "that that evening, you thought
through some one Of them father was
looking at us?"
do you suppose he can see us now?"
"Yes" Tin surprised way.)
"Then" (hesitatingly) "do you think
be is glad, lis glad to see us together?"
"Won't you'' the voice was very
husky" won't you answer Tor me?"
YES" she said, in voice clear as
harp chord, II know he ISL
Seymour wondered if his senses were
giving way. He hardly kenw what
followed. He meant to ask-he tried to
ask ifshe didn't think her father would be
glad to see them always together.
Somehow that seemed long and heavy
and he couldn't make the words come.
He had a choking sensation in his thl oat
and his eyes blinded with tears. He
felt just as he had in the greenhouse the
niigh@ OF the senioiparty. He::wanted to
kiss the hem Of her garment. He felt that
in debt every moment. He knew he
was making fool of himself, but he
didn't care. He was the happiest fool
that moment in Gods happy world.
'You are just as much mine," she
said at last, her hands resting upon his
head, which some way or other had
found place in his lap,-'you are just
as much mine as if had not done all
the wooing myself"
The Merdon mansion had never seen
such a storm as followed Charlotte's
avowal of her betrothal, Her mother
insisted that she would never consent,
never in the world. and the girl who
had always honored her wishes above
everything else was in distress.
"But you did not marry a rich man
yourself, mother; why should you want
me to?" she urged.
II married man who was great
whom everybody knew, why, if you
We're to marry the man whoever he is,
who. will fill his chair, I should be happy
nation almost overpowering her she
left the room.
1t was late in the evening when Char.
lotte stole upstairs. Passing her moth
er's room she saw that the door was
partly open. She knew what it meant.
Women, even among themselves, make
their reconciliations gracefully, gradu-
ally. She pushed the door wide open,
as her mother had intended she should,
and went in. The lady sat by her writ
ing-table; her head rested OH her hand,
and she was evidently sleeping. A little
pile of letters lay before her, picture
beside them. Tears had dropped upon
the letters and the picture showed the
stains of tears. Charlotte looked at the
picture closely. The face was familitr.
Surely she had seen it before. But
where? She cauld not place it among
her acquaintance. Whose face was it?
She started. A broken, uncertain voice
seemed to say, "Thats a good picture of
the president" Her lovers awkward re-
mark at the party, the portrait on the
wall, the picture that her mother cried
over: It was all clear, very clear, and
she didn't care to read the open letter
by the picture.
my poor, dear motherw she thought,
as, without awakening her, she glided to
her own room, carrying the greatest Sc
cret of her life time, save one.
1t was after midnight when Mrs. Mer-
don awoke. She had hoped her daugh-
ter would come in. She wanted to tell
her that she was no longer angry. She
had been carried back over parts of her
own life and she wanted to tell Charlotte
that after all she must follow the voice
Of her heart, that her own experience
had taught her so. She was almost
ready to confess to her that although she
had married man who wasgreat, whom
everybody knew, she---no, no, no, she
could not tell her daughter that, -she
said S% not tell her s that efX sG% she
saying, Eyes, I loved him then. and.
GOD forgive me, nave loved him eyer
SINCE"
At room the next day servant brought
a note to the presidents study; "Char-
lotte E. Merdon requests the pleasure
of a few moments private conversation"
.
daughter wants Of me-" thought the old
bachelor as he passed down into the re-
ception room. "How the girl brings her
to mindp'
In q dlgnif1ed way that even surprised
herself, Charlotte began: II understand
that the trustees have given you appoint
ing power regarding the professorship
which fathers death made vacant"
eyes,"
"Haye you made any provision YETI"
II have candidate to present"
sWhat-- A candidate! WHO'S it?''
"Brent Seymour"
Charlotte's intimacy with Seymour
was not unknown to the president, but
this astounded him.
cit is impossible" he said; II do not
see how you can ask it, how can you
"Would you not do much to bring to
you one you loved?" she asked, boldly.
A peculiar light came Tito the gray
eyes"
Chow much?"
"Anything."
f'Wculd YOU give Drofessorshin2"
Inc peculiar light increased. 1t was
almost blaze.
"Yes."
"Will you give me this professorship,
if bring to you one you love"
The gray eyes were now fairly aAame.
She was understood. He sprang to
bis feet. Age seemed to fall from him
like scale.
Girl, what do you mean?' he shout
ed.
''That she loved you all the time"
There was base ball match on the
college grounds, but it was not the topic
of the afternoon. A report that Brent
Seymour had been appointed to the
chair of astronomy had sent half the
college to his little house to congratulate
him. They could not begin to get in
side, so he stood out in the yard and
shook hands with them one by one.
In the early evening passing student
saw an unusual visitor 60 up tlle path to
the Merdon mansion. It was the gray
haired president. Mrs. Me.Gon opened
the door herself, and the student
couldn't help seeing the look of astonish-
lnent on her face, and that she tottered
as she stepped back into the hall;
couldn't he'll, herring, in tones that he
will novo, f0rOot fwo ovo1ono%ions