Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1884-01-17
(From the Philadelphia CALI
MARY'S LOVE ROMANCE.
BY ROSE ALLISON.

sVsruas " AVv6 ItVV1AINVEl
by ROSE ALLISON.
In the drawing room at Heathcot, in
the gray. September twilight, Mary
Meredith and Felix Trafford sat en-
gagged in earnest conversation.
really cannot see any cause for
your despair, dear Felix. Have I not
told you how dearly love you? No
power on earth shall ever force me to
break my plighted troth to you. Have
you no confidence in me ?"
All confidence, Mary; know you
will be true to me. !"
Then what is it you fear 2"
Everything. You are young and
beautiful, the rlch Mr.. Meredith's only
child, while I am only a poor clerk in
the house of Meredith Brothers, with
nothing but an unsullied reputation,
some brains and q good right hand to
help me through the world
so much the better, then, that | am
the daughter of the rich Mr.. Meredith.
Dear Felix, papa esteems you, and has
implicit confidence in your honor. He
invites you here, and allows our ac-
quaintance. Why do you annoy your
self about imaginary troubles?"
Your father trusts me, and must
be true to hin, you and myself. / will
go to him and frankly confess our at
tachment. 1 should feel miserable 9TH
erwiBe.
Go now: he is in his study"
Felix caught the girl in his arms and
kissed her rosy lips.
Your confidence inspires me with
hope, he said, and went away on his
mission. Tapping at Mr.. Mered1th's
study door, and receiving permission to
enter, Felix approached the old gentle-
man, who gave him his hand, saying:
Why, boy, you are an unexpected
visitor. No bad news, I hope ?"
:" No, sir; but want to ask Of you a
gift 80 precious that / have very little
hope of obtaining it"
sWell, vel, ,sname it. I am always,
glad to favor you if I can"
Felix was greatly agitated, but sum-
moned up all his courage and said:
Mr.. Meredith, l love your daughter.
I do not, however, ask you to give her
to me now. Only let me hope that when
prove to you"
Mr.. Meredith leaned back in his chair
amazed. 1t had never occurred to him
that this young clerk would dare to lift
his eyes to his daughter.
&c You are IN upgrateful, treacherous
scoundrel!" he cried. "Out of compass
sion for your friendIessness I admitted
you to my house and my daughters So
ciety, and you, villain that you are, have
taken the opportunity to steal into her
confidences and win her in experienced
heart. Begone, Sir, and never let me see
/. your face again!"
Listen to me one moment, Mr..
Meredith"
"Not one second!"' cried the old man,
as he violently brought down his
clenehed fist upon the table. "Leave
the house instantly or the servants shall
thrust you out. And as if to put his
threat into execution he fercely rang the
, bell.
AS Felix staggered along the passage,
his heart so oppressed with cQptending
emotions that he was scarcely conscious
of anything, he met Mary, who, alarmed
at the violent ringing OF the bell, was
rushing to her fathers study. Felix
wildly threw his arms about her, kiss.
ing her again and again. Then he tore
himself away and rushed from the
house. 4is
Mary never knew what occurred al
that terrible interview. Mr.. Meredith
was deaf to sall her entreaties aud hel
lover had disappeared. The poor girl
was stricken with brain fever, and fol
weeks her life hung in the balance.
Repentance came too late to the unhappy
father, for although sought for far and
near Felix conld not be found. Al
length youth and n good constitution
brought back health to the heart broker
girl. But aims the blooming young
Hebe of seventeen summers was nc
more. In her place o tall, pale girl ap
peared, but with o beauty that even the
most fastidious admired. The COLDER
brown scurlB that clustered around hel
temples lay in lippling waves upon
brow-as. pure as snow, and the soft, lus
tfous hazelIeyes wore an expression o
sadnedS that toldaof the heart grief tha
WGnld be hers forever.
Mr.. Meredith travelled with his
daughter through all the most attrac
stiYeparts of Europe fora year. Then
! satshef request, he took her home. Mar,
had becomesaswoman, bright, intelli
gent, glorious woman, and crowds OF ad
mirers worshiped at her feet; hut th'
image of Felix was still as fresh as eve
in her heart, and the VOWS she had ex
changed with him were never for o mo
ment forgotten. Therefore, all offer
/; of,maffiage we're at once declined.
Time rolled on. Mary had nov
reached her twenty -eight year, and still
remained q maiden beneath the paterna
One cold winter evening Mary sat b,
the glowing fire in he- fathers drawing
room. Her small white hands wer,
claaped upon her bosom, and her eye
werecnst downward until the long lashe
lay like golden psnciings upon he
cheek Near her, in his great armchair
sat Mr.. Meredith, with the SHOWS o
many winters on his head and his fac,
deeply fnrrowed by the hand of time
There was an expression Of care upol
his ccpntenance. he looked troubled
and nnhaPpy.
& Mari, e said he continuing ccnver
esation that had been going on between
them, Z. all my life I havo made yon
heppiness my constant study, and hay,
givenyo b luxurious home, Now syo,
are,adyancing I'M years, and I shall err
long be separatcd from you by death
How can I leave yon alone in!this colt
world A home iss now open to you
and you fnnst accept it. It ID, not be
cause Lowe this man avery large sun
that Insist upon this marriage, although
II you refuse him we will be sunk int,