The Dickinson press., 1884-02-02
MARY'S LOVE ROMANCE.

"S oAoWA4S AOOLA az 1AcatuCOIs ~
the gray September twilight, Mary Mer
edith and Felix Tratford sat engaged in
earnest conversation.
VI really can not see any cause TO,
your despair, dear Felix. Have / no
told you how dearly 1 love you? No
power on earth shall ever force me &c
break my plighted troth to you. Have
you no confidence in me?"
"Allconfdence Mary; I knowyou will
be true to me-"
"Then what is your fear?"
Everything. Youare young and beau
tiful, the rich Mr.. Meredi his only child,
while I am a poor clerk in the house o
the Meredith Brothers, with nothing
but an unsullied reputation, some brains
and a good right hand to help me
through the world"
$50 much the better, then, that / am
the daughter of the rich Mr.. Meredith
Dear Felix, papa esteems you, and ha!
implicit confidence in your honor. HI
invites you here, and allows our &C
auaintance. Why do you annoy your
Self about imaginary troubles?"
"Your father trusts me and l must be
true to him, you and myself. 1 will go to
him and frankly confess our attachment.
[ should feel miserable otherwise"
GO now; he is in his study"
Felix cought the girl in his arms and
kissed her rosy lips.
"Your confidence inspires me with
hope," he said, and went away on BIZ
mission. Tapping at Mr.. Meredith's
study door, and receiving permission to
enter, Felix approached the old gedtle-
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 d
gift SO precious that I have very little
hope of obtaining it,"
."Well, we'll, name it. I am always
glad to favor you If | can"
Felix was greatly agitated, but sum-
moned up all the courage and said:
"Mr. Meredith, l love your daughter.
l do not, however, ask you to give her
to me now. Only let me hope that
when | prove to vou--'
MIR, Meredith leaned back in his chair
amazed. 1t had eve occurred to him
that this young clerk would dare to lift
his eyes to his daughter.
You are an unarateful, t~reacherous
%scouudrel!' he cried. "Out of compass
sion for your fr;endlessness l admitted
you to my. house and my daughters
society, and you, william that you are
have taken the opportunity to steal into
and win her inexperienced heart. Be-
gone. Sir, and never let me see your
face again!!"
Listen to me one moment, Mr.. Mere
dith."
mot one second!n cried the old man,
as he violently brought down his
clenched fist upon the table. "Leave
the house instantly or the servants shall
thrust you out" And as if to pat his
threat into execution he fercely rang
the bell.
AS Felix staggered along the passage,
his heart 80 oppressed with %contending
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.
Mary eve knew what occurred at
that terrible interview. Mr.. Meredith
was deaf to all her entreaties and her
lover had disappeared. The poor girl
was stricken with brain fever, and for
weeks her life hung in the balance.
Repentance came to the unhappy father,
for although sought for far and near Fe.
llx could not be found. Atlength youth
and a good constitution brought back
health to the heart-broken girl. But.
alas! the blooming young Hebe Of seven-
teen summers was no more. In her
place a tall, pale girl appeared, but with
q beauty that even the most fastidious
admired; The golden brown curls that
clustered around her temples lay in rip
hazel eyes wore an expression Of sad
ness that told of the heart grief that
would be hers forever.
Mr.. Meredith travelled with his
daughter through all the most attrac-
tive parts of Europe for a year. Then,
at her request, he took her home. Mary
had become a woman, a bright. intelli-
gent. glorious woman, and crowds of
admirers worshipped at her feet; but
the image of Felix was still as fresh as
ever in her heart, and the vows she had
exchanged with him we're never for a
moment forgotten. Therefore, all offers
Of marriage were at once declined.
Tine rolled on. Mary had now
reached her twenty eighth year, and still
remained a maiden beneath the pater-
nal roof.
Ore cold winter evening Mary sat by
the glowing fire in her fathers drawing
room. Her small white hands were
clasped upon her bosom, and her eyes
We're cast downward until the long
lashes lay, like golden pencilings upon
his great armchair, sat Mr.. Meredith,
with the SHOWS of many winters on his
head and his face deeply furrowed by
the hand Of time. There was an ex-
! preston of care upon his countenance.
He looked troubled and unhappy.
Mary" said he continuing a CONVEX
sation that had been going on between
them, "all my life 1 have made you,
happiness my constant study and have
given you a luxurious home. Now you
are advancing in years, and I shall ere
long be separated from you by death
How can [ leave you alone in this. cold
world? A home is now open to you,an
you must accept it. 1t is not be cause ]
owe this man a very large sum that
insist upon this marriage, although il
you refuse him we will be sunk into the
most abject poverty. tor | would rather
endure all the misery of the situation
than risk your well:being; but I know
you will be happy with Mr.. Ambrose fol
a husband. He is good and kind, as
we'll as very rich"
Rich in what, fatherW
The old man started at these words
but at length answered:
"In honor and manhood" Mary sale
no more. "The crisis is now upon me-
continued Mr.. Meredith. I'm a few