The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1884-04-03

| hlSSlHS HCI again anu 1iSdIH. 1lISi
he tore himself away and rushed
from the house.
Mary never knew what occurred
at that terrible interview. Mr.
Meredith was deaf to all her en-
treaties and the lover had disappear
ed. The poor girl was stricken
with brain fever, and for weeks hel
life hung in the balance. Repen
tence came to late too the unhappy
father, for although sought for fal
and near Felix could not be found
At length youth and good consti.
tuition brought back health to the
heart-broken girl. But alas the
blooming young Hebe of seventeen
| summers was no more. In hel
place a tall, pale girl appeared, but
with a beauty that even tile most
fastidious admired. The golden
brown curls that clustered around
her temples lay in rippling waves
upon brow as pure as snow, and the
soft. lustrous hazel eyes wore an
expression of sadness. that told
! OF the heart grief that would be
hers forever.
Mr.. Meredith travelled with his
daughter though all the most attrac,
tive parts Of Europe for a year.
Then at her request, he took her
home. Mary had become woman,
bright, neutrality-suspicious. woman,
and crowds Of admirers worshiped
at her feet; but the image Of Felix
was still as fresh as ever in her
heart, and the vows she had ex-
changed with him were never for
a moment forgotten. Therefore,
all offers of marriage were at once
declined.
Time rolled on. Mary had now
reached her twenty-eighth year, and
still remained maiden beneath the
paternal roof.
One 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 were cast downward
until the long lashes lay like golden
penciling upon her cheek. Near
her, in the great arm chair, sat Mr..
Meredith, with the snow Of many
winters on his head and his face
deeply furrowed by the hand of time.
There was an expression Of care
upon his countenance. He looked
troubled and unhappy.
MARY" said he, continuing 4
conversation that had been going
on between them, "all my life l
have made your happiness my con-
slant study and have given you a
luxurious home. Now you are adj
vancing in y5a ars and 1 shall ere
long be. separated from you by
death. How can l leave you alone
in this cold world? A home is now
open to You cnd you must accept
it. 1t is not because l owe this
nan very large sum that 1 insist
upon this marriage, although if you
refuse him we will be sunk into the
most abject poverty, for l would
rather endure all the misery Of the
situation than risI; your we!l-being; {;
but l know vor vi be happy with
Mr.. Ambrose lOr a husband.
He is good and Kind as well as
very rich"
"Rich in what, f.tther?'
The old man started at these
words but at length answered:
I'm honor and manhood" Mary
said no more. The crisis is now
upon me-" continued Mr.. Meredith.
''In q few s!.ort days I shall be
overwhelmed with misery if 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 ofyour safety?"
NO, he has not said so; but he
is aware of my situation, and, know
ing it, asks the hand Of my child.
It seems to me as if God had kept
you free to save your old father
from ruin. What answer am I to
return to Mr.. Ambrose?"
My heart was broken long ago.
Mary answered. looking into her
fathers face. Il will marry this
man for your sake, but he must not
expect affection, for | have none to
give. Tell him this that he may
not be deceived
Il will bring him here tomorrow
evening, for he is anxious that the
interview shall be over"
Mr.. Meredith was relieved, the
fear Of disgrace was removed from
him, and he rejoiced in the prospect
of a prosperous marriage for his
daughter.
On the following evening Mary
again sat by the drawing-room fire.
She was alone now and calm, but
her face was as pale as Parian mar
BILE. The outer door opened, and
she heard the sound Of heavy foot.
steps in the hall. Once more the
image of Felix arose before her; q
cold shiver passed over her and un.
hidden tears trembled in her eyes,
but by great effort she subdued
her agitation before her father, and
the man about to buy her with his
gold entered the drawing-room
| Mary ornco end eytnnded her hand