Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1883-02-06
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Daug hter-in-Law.
Written for the Spirit of Jefferson.

Written for the Spirit of Jefferson.l
Rosa Linton sat silently gazing into
the bright coal fire blazing in the COM
ing twilight. She was dreaming of
the future that was before her. 1t
was the day before her bridal. She
had been wooed and won by Eustace
LaStrange, a young lawyer of rising
fame, high-toned, handsome and tai
entcd-the favorite in the society in
which he emovcd-beloved by his male
friends as well as admired by the fair
sex.
1t does not seem strange that the
belle and beauty of N should have
loved him and promised to be his wife.
Rosa was the only child of Judge
Linton, with whom Eustace had
studied his profession. And when
the young student sought from him
the hand of his daughter in marriage,
Judge Linton most cheerfully con-
sented, feeling that he could not give
her to one more worthy of her or who
would more carefully guard her fu-
ture happiness.
Eustace LaStrangc lived with his
father, his only parent. His mother
dying when he had just entered upon
manhood, he felt keenly the loss of
that gentle being who had tcnderly
watched over his younger years, train
ing him carefully, and instilling into
him those principles which made the
honored and trusted man. To him.
her memory was sacred and never
since the hour he stood beside her
grave had that void made by her death
been filed, until he found consolation
in the love of the gentle and loving
Rosa Linton
Her winning manner, tender and
woman!y voice, touched his heart and
made it thrill again as in the days
gone by, when he sought his much
loved mother and poured into her ears
his boyish troubles, ever finding SYM
pathy and kindness.
His father was also much attached
to his only child and heir, and watched
him with pride and pleasure as he ad-
vanced in his professional career.
Since the death of his wife. Mr..
LaStrangc had absentcd himself en-
tirely from society, seldom seeing any
one save his most intimate friends.
who were panied to see that his afiiic-
ton had made him moody, and at
times cross and morosc-
Eustace devoted much of his spare
time to his father. Many of his eve
nings were spent with him. either in
reading to him some favoritc author
or in conversation.
1t had been the desire of Eustacc
ever since his engagement with Rosa
Linton, to mention the fact to his
father, and obtain his sanction, vet he
felt some hesitancy, fearing it would
irritate or distress him.
1t was few nights before the open
ing of my story that he sought his
father in his library, and unfolded to
him his plans for the future.
As Mr.. LaStrange listened to this
unexpected announcement, his face
grew stern and a heavy oud.gathered
over the brow of the old man.
This sent a chill to the heart of
Eustace, but he sat quietly awaiting
the answer that he much feared would
dash his most cherished hopes to the
ground. After few moments Mr..
LaStrange said in hoarsc voice, that
! trcnbled somewhat with emotion=
"Eustace, you are all 1 have in this
world to love or care for me in my
old age and declining years, and now
you wish to leave me. Ies1 to leave
your poor old father to die by him
SELF
''No, father,'' said the young man,
''my wish is to give you some one else
to love, and one, l am sure, who will
love and help me care for you as long
as you will be spared to US. which
hope may be many years yet
''Hcighl Eustace, you expect to
bring her here, do you, to live with
me, a young thing who will not be
satisfied here with an old man who
likes quiet! Oh, mol she will want
the house full of company, parties,
and her gay friends coming and going
all the time. That will not suit me
neverI neverl"
'tFather, you misunderstood.
don't intend to bring my wife here to
disturb your quiet. My income is
sufficient for me to give my wife a
home; to be sure twill not be the lux
urious one that she leaves. yet she is
perfectly willing to begin life with me
in plain way
stop! stop! Eustace, that will
never do. cannot let you leave me.
No, you must bring her here, if you
will be married. Do you hear, nv
SOM 1 say. if you will marry, she
must come here. 1 will never con-
sent to have you Ieaveme. Ny house
is large, You are my only child, and
my home would be desolate without
you But perhaps she will say she