Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-02-01


And bawl.
=. New York Mercury.
MARY'S LOVE ROMANCE.
In the drawing room at Heathcot, in
the gray September twilight, Mary Mer-
edith and Felix Traford sat engaged in
earnest conversation.
II really can not see any cause for
your despair, dear Felix. Have not
told you how dearly I love you? No
power on earth shall ever force me 20
break nay plighted troth to you. Have
you no confidence in met"
"All confidence Mary; I knowyou will
be true to me-"
''Then what is your fear?" -
Everything. You are young and beau.
tiful, the rich Mr.. Meredi he only child,
while ain poor clerk in the house of
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 I 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 &C.
quaintance. Why do you annoy your
self about imaginary troubes?"
"Your father trusts me and must be
true to him, you and myself. I will go to
him and frankly confess our attachment.
I 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 nae with
hope," he said, and went away on his
mission. Tapping at Mr.. MerediLh's
study door, and receiving permission to
enter, Felix approached the old gedtle-
man, who gave him his hand, saying:
"Wby, boy, you are an unexpected
visitor. No bad news, hope?"
No, sir; but | Want to ask Of you
gift so precious that have very little
hope OF obtaining it"
swell, well, name it. am always
glad to fav + you If can"
Felix was greatly agltated, 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 you--'
Mr., Meredith leaned back in his chair
amazed. 1t bad never occurred to him
THAT this young clerk would dare to lift
his eyes to his daughter.
"You are an unorateful, treacherous
scouudrel!' he cried. "Out of compass
sion for your fr:endlessness I 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
1are again!'
listen to me one moment, Mr.. Mere
dith."
mot one secondl' 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 belt.
As Felix staggered along the passage,
his heart SO oppressed with conteudlug
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.
himself away and rushed from the
house.
Mary never 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.
lix could NOT be found. Atlength youth
and good constitution brought back
health to the heart-broken girl. Bul
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 fastidiOus
admired. Tue golden brown curls that
| clustered around her temples lay in rip
pling waves upon 8 brow as pure as
snow, and the soft, lustrous
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 aetrac-
tive parts Of Europe for year. Then.
at her request, he took her home. Mary
had become 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 n her heart, and the VOWS she had
exc banged with him we're never for
| moment forgot en-. Therefore, all offers
of marriage were at once declined: y
I ~onn 40
| reached her twenty. eighth year, and still
remained maiden beneath the pater-
nal roof. s.~.-.,
Or 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 pencilings upon
| her cheek, Near her, i'll
his great armchair, sat Mr.. Meredith,
with the SHOWS Of many winters on his
bead and his face deep y furrowed by
| the hand Of time. There was an ex-
preston of care upon his couutenance.
He looked troubled, and unhappy.
z*4'' Mary, said ne continuing a CONVEX
sation that had been going on between
them, s'all my life / have made your
happiness my constant study and have
given YOU luxurious home. Now you
are advancing in years, and I shall ere
long be. separated from you BY death
| How can fsleaye you alone in this cold
| world? A home is now open to you ,and
YOU must accept it.! 1t is not be -ause
owe this man q very large sum that
| insist upon this marriage, although il
you refuse him we will be SUNK into the
most abject poverty. Tor ! Wouid rathel
endure all the misery Of the situation
than risk your we'll being; but / know
YOU Will be happy with Mr.. Ambrose 10,
4 husband. H. ] IS good and kind, y
IlWeIi as very rich % Ia: : LII.