Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-08-08

AuoAOAs ~ OC0uplOA Was u0 III Vdlu1y Try.
ing to discover his companions identity
through the thick veil which she had not
| as yet raised. There seemed to him
something oddly familiar in her figure,
though, much to his chagrin, he saw
instantly that she was certainly some
inches shorter than Miss Brooks.
"And your wife? Am I not to have
the pleasure of making her acquaint-
ance?" he said, feeling somehow vague.
~ uneasy.
Then the veil was slowly raised, to re-
veal the face Of the merchants own
daughter, pale, frightened, beseeching;
but still for moment the man failed to
understand.
"Dora," he said, in bewilderment,
''what are you doing here ?"
Dead silence followed; then the fair
est of the merchants castles in Spain
fell with crash,
mans wife?"
Eyes, dear father, it is quite true. "
said the girls pleading voice. "Won't
you try to forgive us3 It can't make
very much difference to you. You
can't miss me, you know, for you never
needed me. and I needed SO sorely some
one to love mel"
The hookkeeper was holding his
wife's hand firmly all the time, and only
drew her little closer to him as he
added:
1--WE are far from deserving it, I
know; but hope you don't forget that
you promised us your blessing, Mr..
The merchant was about to speak.
but suddenly checked himself, ami,
turning abruptly, walked to the window,
where, in total silence, he stood mo-
tionless for q few moments, battling
with the bitterest disappointment of his
life.
10 his own surprise, even in the
midst OF his almost uncomfortable an.
ger, something in his daughters pa
thetic words caused him pang of gen.
uine se]f1eproach, as he suddenly re-.
allied what a lonely, neglected life his
child had led, while he, IN his pursuit
of wealth, had never known or cared
for any needs she might have which
money could not supply. Was it strange
that she should have sought abroad
what she never could hope to find in
her own home? Then, too, the deed
was irrevocable; no amount Of opposi-
ton could render the marriage illegal;
and, after all, Dora might have done
worse, for what Wynn lacked in fortune
he partly supplied in business capacity.
While these thoughts were rapidly pass
ing through his mind something else
o*rrok NJ R1o1~ E.
II he were to cast off these young people
in anger, might they not in return make
known to all their friends bis own ride.
ulous part in this affair? Might it not
even come to the ears of the detested
Brooks? This decided him.
"This is great disappointment to
me, as you, Of course, must know
Dora" he said at last, turning to his
companions, who we're awaiting his
words in almost brea.hless suspense.
" However, the deed is done, and I sup
pose the most sensible thing is to make
the best of what must consider rather
q bad job. l promised you my blessing,
Wynn, and you she'll have it, upon two
conditions. The first is that you-and,
I suppose, your wife-shall 20 to China.
Is proposed"
1--WE are quite willing, sir, the book
keeper replied, eagerly. "And the
second condition :"
"That you never, either OF you, dis
close to any human being who was the
promoter and instigator Of your elope-
ment."
II promise, papa" said Dora.
eS And On 6n I efr - ooS1 ho ~vo,r~n,
husband, Immediately afterward.