Delaware weekly Republican., 1884-07-31


deseased Clergyman, and she earns her
bread by the glorious voice God has
given her, | have told her OF my love.
aud II You conld only see her know
you would consent 10 our union" He
paused and waited for his father To
speak.
During this speech General Croy-
lands face had hardened to adamant,
and when at last he broke the silence
nothing could be more coIdly positive
than his determination.
you ask me TO install as the bonorec
rhistress Of Croylands--to accept as my
daughter, girl Of low parentage, q
common opera singer, who has nothing
| IN the world 10 recommend her but q
| pretty face. You must he mad to think
| ofsuch thing. Why, would as soon
sanction your marriage with one Of my
kitchen maids. You can never marry
her with my consent"
"Then fear shall be compelled to
| do II without" was the reply, given in
a tone as coelly determined as that of
1 the Generals. a. love her far too
we'll to let the foolish prejudice Of o
person, who has never seen her, and
who knows nothing OF her sweetness
and natural refinement, weigh against
her even II that person be my own
81 am to infer then that you defy
me, cried the General, dull, red flush
overspreadiug his face and his eyes be-
| ginning TO glitter like pramnion beneath
his bristling white brows, IT was a
new phase In his son 's character. Never
before had he openly defed his fathers
anthfeity.
Nas blessed me with sonse and will,
and that ] Intend to exercise them III
my choice of q wife, a choice that
every man has the right to make for
himself" The young man spoke firm
". He evidently had quite as much
self-will as his father.
"Then hear me since this Is your
decision, said the General In his most
positive tone, the day that sees this
plebian singer your wife sees you no
longer son of mine"
Then rising he walked quietly out of
the library, and for two days, except
at meal times, saw nothing of his son.
1t was the first real coolness that had
ever existed between them. Both felt
1t keenly both longed to be reconciled,
and both were determined to hold out
TO the end.
On the morning Of the third day
Ralph walked into the breakfast room
where his father was sitting and laying
an open note before him, said
There is Miss Reno's decision re-
ceived It half hour ago. I wish you
to read It.
without word the General adjust
ed his glasses and took the note.
"Dear Ralph I" 1t began. "I love
you and always shall never doubt that
bEt t, until yonr father gives bis full and
free consent TO our union, we can only
be-friends. RAY RENO.
III am glad to find mademoiselie's
shrewdness prevents you making fool
Of yourself" was his remark when he
finished It's perusal.
THE heir prospective Of Croyland
was worth angling for. But Ralph
Croyland. poor and disowned is APP
parently not so alluring prize. Ihcpe
you may learn your lesson"
Something akin to scorn crept into
the young mans eyes, as he looked
down from his superb six feet Of man
hood on his father but he was his faith
or, and that fact stayed the bitter words
on his lips and caused him to hesitate
before trusting himself TO speak. AT
labt nc bhlu
"You are blinded by your prejudice
or you would know Ray Reno ia inca
pable Of tie motives you impute to her.
She is pule and noble, else should
never have sought tomake her my wife,
and until l do make her that i shall
never rest content.
+" Sbe is my one love. You know the
Croyland motto: "0nce and forever"
And i will either W In her or go to my
grave unwed." Then changing his
1larnest tone to one of carelessness, he
added I;
have accepted Ponsonby's invita-
tlon. Our party is TO start for Canada
az the end of the week. You have no
G fn issions for me in that region /
Ia la Sose?"
SharaNouel' said the General grimly,
tiles caonly one request, -" and that2''
All Ata un,. 1ffrbtY,~ Nxxoa hnt,a