The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-01-31
MARY'SLOVE ROMANCE.

MARY'SLOVE ROMANCE.
In the drawing room at Heathcot, in
Ihe gray September twilight, Mary Nor
edith and Felix Traford sat engaged in
earnest conversation.
II really can not see any cause fol
your despair, dear Felix. Have no:
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?"
Gall confdence Mary; 1 know you will
baStrue to me-"
TThen what is your fear?"
Everything. You are younga and beau.
tiful, the rich Mr.. Meredi liz only child,
.while I am poor clerk in the house OF
the Meredith Brothers, with nothing
= but an unsullied reputation, some brains
and good right hand to help mo
through the world"
$50 much the better, then, that am
The daughter of this rich Mr.. Meredith.
Dear Felix, papa esteems you, and has
implicit confidence in your honor. lie
invites you here, and allows our &C.
~auaintance. Why do you annoy your
self about imaginary trou5es?"
Your father trusts me and must be
true to him, you and myself. I will 90 to
him and frankly coufess our attachment.
L should feel miserable otherwise"
Go now; he is in his study"
Felix cought the girl in his arms and
hkissed her rosy lips
"Your confidence inspires me. with
'hope," he said, and went away on bis
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:
a. "Why, boy, you are an unexpected
visitor. No bad news, hope?"
mo, sir; but [ want to ask of you q
gift so precious that have very little
hope Of obtaining it,"
well, well, name it. l am always
glad to favor you If [ can"
Felix was greatly agitated, but sum-
.moned up all the courage and said:
'Mr. Meredith, love your daughter.
do not, however, ask you to give her
to me now. Only let me hope that
when prove TO vou--
; Mr., Meredith leaned back in his chair
amazed. It had never occurred to him
that this young clerk would dare to lift
bis eyes to his daughter.
"You are an unorateful, treacherous
,Seouudrel!' he cried "Out of compass
Jsion for your fr;endlessness 1 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."
tListen to me one moment, Mr.. Mere
djth."
mot one second" 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 tito pat his
threat into execution he fercely rang
the bell.
As Felix staggered along the passage,
his heart SO oppressed with contending
emotions that he was scarcely conscious
of anything, he met Mary, who, alarmed
at the violent ringing of the bell, wss
flushing 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
y house.
r Mary never knew what occurred at
was deaf to all her entreaties and her
-. l2yer had disappeared. The poor girl
\ sas stricken with brain fever, and for
1enks her life hung in the balance.
Repentance came to the unhappy father,
for although sought fer far and'near Fe-
lix could not be found. Atlength youth
and 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 tall, pale girl appeared, but with
. beauty that even the most fastdious
admired. The golden brown curls that
clustered around her temples lay in rip
pling waves upon a brow as pure as
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 aitrac-
tive parts of Europe for q year. Then,
at her re quest, he took her home. Mary
had become a woman, Il 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 were never for q
moment forgotten. Therefore, all offers
Of Marriage were at once declined.
limo 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 h:ncs were
clasped upon her bosom, and her eyes
were cast downward until the long
lashes lay like golden pencilings upon
her cheek, Near her, in
bis great armchair, sat Mr.. Meredith,
with the SHOWS Of many winters on his
bead 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.
4 "Mary," said he continuing a CONVEX
sation that had been going on between
them, call my life I have made your
happiness my constant study and have
given you luxurious home. Now you
are advancing in years, and 1 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, and
you must accept it. 1t is not because /
owe this man very large sum that
insist upon this marriage, although if
you refuse him we will be sunk into the
most AFFECT poverty. TOR I would rather
endure all the misery Of the situation
than risk your we'll being; but 1 know
y6u will be happy with Mr.. Ambrose for
a husband. He is good and kind, as
we'll rs very rich"
"KSeh in what, lather?"
The old man started at these words,
but at length answered.:
"In honor and manhood" Mary said
no more, "The crisis is now upon me-"
continued Mr.. Meredith. "In few
short days shall be overwhelmed with
misery it you do not rescue me. Mr..
Ambrose has asked me for your hand.
He has seen you many times and loves
you"
"And Mr.. Ambrose makes my hand
the price of your safety2"
"No, he has not said SO; but he is
aware of my situation, and knowing
it,. asks the hand of my child. It
seems 10 me as if God had kept you
free to save your old father from ruin.
J What answer am / to return to Mr.. Am
Arose?" =
S"My heart was broken long ago."
Mary answered, looking into her faith
er's face. II Wil]smarry this man for