The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-01-06
Seltrt STORY,
PAPA'S BLESSING.

II have asked Wynn to come out this
evening to talk over little business, 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 well-meaning and unassuming fel-
low, 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 mer-
chant, had said to his daughter in the
morning, on leaving his pretty villa at Rich
mond for the city, with an amount of pom
pous condeaucnsicn which clearl y mani
tested his sentiments with regard to book
keepers 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 rctract his opinion as to the same
ouest's s modest and unassuming character If
he had been a witness of his demeanor on
that occasion; for no sooner had the door
closed upon the servant who ushered him
into the presence of his young mistress than
Totally unabashed and unblushing-he
took the young girl into his arms, only re-
leasing her after leaving upon her ripe red
jips at least half dozen warm kisses.
Dora, not appearing the least surprised
or disconnected at this greeting, bore un-
finchingly the situation for fully two min
utes before she blushingly drew back and
endeavored to bring into something like
order her soft brown hair, which, with the
dainty ruffles at her throat, had become
somewhat disarranged by the welcome she
had so obediently given her fathers guest,
1T is a long time since | have seen you,
Harry she remarked, with bewllderlng
glance from beneath the thick lashes shading
the large gray eyes.
II should think so indeed-quite an
age = responded the bookkeeper, dismally.
Il managed to get away half an hour be-
fore the time your father told me he should
be home hoping to see you alone; but ne IL
be sure to turn up before he's expected
it's just my luck"
Harry, do you know why my father has
sent for you tonight? ?
IL haven't an idea, excepting that its
something about the branch of the business
in Hong-kong"
Il can enlighten you little then, though
L hardly think you will be as pleased as my
father seems to expect. One Of the men
in the house out there has just died; he
had rather Il responsible position, l believe,
and papa wants to send you out to take his
place"
"As if anything could induce ME to leave
England and you, Dora!' cried the young
man. "Why, the separation would prob
ably be for years.
II am afraid you must 90, Harry" was
the girls rather sorrowful response. "You
know my father; your refusal to obey his
wishes would probably make something
very like an enemy of him, and render
matters between us even more hopeless than
they are at present" "
'Dora, must speak to your father"
cried the young man, excitedly. when
he finds that his daughter happiness is in
volved, he can't be heartless enough to re-
fuse our united prayers He seems to feel
rather kindly towards me, Anything would
be better than this uncertainty
"No, dear Harry Believe me, it would
only be exchanging uncertainty for positive
resignation of all our hopes | know my
father well, and it is useless to hide from
myself and you that he loves money far
better than his child. He has declared
over and over again that he will never give
his consent to my marriage with a man
poorer than himself; and | know he will
never retract his word
"And you advise me to go off to China,
with the probability of never seeing you
again, Dora? Nothing can be worse than
that, surely"
"Oh, Harry, must have time to think.
[ heard of it only this morning" cried
Dora, on the verge of tears. "There
comes papa now, and | have SO much still
to say to you. must see you again.
Could you manage to come down on Thurs
day at this time for half an hour? My
father is going to dinner in the city on
that evening"
''Of course | can, responded Harry, just
as the door opened to admit the master of
the establishment
"Oh, Wynn, you arrived first Prompt
as ever-a most excellent quality in young
man. hope my daughter has made you
comfortable Dora ?"
II tried to do SO. papa." responded the