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

MARY'SLOVE ROMANCE.
y
In the drawing room at Heathcot, in
the gray September twilight, Mary Mer.
edith and Felix Trafford sat engaged in
earnest conversation.
II really can not see any cause fol
your despair, dear Felix. Have I no:
told you how dearly love you? No
power on earth shall ever force me 70
break my pIighted troth to you. Have
you no confidence in me?"
'All confidence Mary; know you will
b4true to me-"
.r'Then what is your fear?"
Everything. You are young and beau
tiful, the rich Mr.. Meredi h's only child,
awhile 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 ths rich Mr.. Meredith.
Dear Felix, papa esteems you, and has
implicit confidence in your honor. He
invites you here, and allows our &C.
Abundance. Why do you annoy your
self about imaginary troubles?"
Your father trusts me and I must be
true to him, you and myself. I will go 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
Skissed her rosy lips.
N"Your confidence inspires me with
hope," he said, and went away on his
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?"
mo, sir; but l Want to ask of you
gift so precious that I 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 ali 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 YOU
: Mr., Meredith leaned back in his chair
amazed. It had never occurred to him
that this young clerk would dare to lift
his eyes to his daughter.
"You are an uRorateiul, treacherous
Seouudrel!' he cried "Out of compass
Jsion for your fr;endlessness 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
tdjth."
mot one second!" cried the old man,
as he violently brought down his
clenched fist pom the table. "Leaye
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 so oppressed with contending
emotions that he was scarcely conscious
of anything, he met Mary, who, alarmed
, at the violent ringing of the bell, WAS
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
s house.
y Mary never knew what occurred at
that terrible interview. Mr.. Meredith
was deaf to all her entreaties and her
kas stricken with brain fever, and for
Yenks her life hung in the balance.
Repentance came to the unhappy father,
for although sought fer far and near Fe-
iix could not be found. Atlength youth
and good constitution brought back
health to the heart-broken girl. But
alas! the blooming young Hebe ofseven-
teen summers was no more. In her
place tall, pale girl appeared, but with
4 beauty that even the most fastidious
admired. The golden brown curls that
clustered around her temples lay in rip
pling waves upon 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 attrac-
tive parts of Europe for year. Then,
at her re quest, he took her home. Mary
had become woman, q bright, intelli-
gent, glorious woman, and crowds Of
admirers worshipped at her feet; but
the image Of Felix was still as fresh as
ever j n her heart, and the VOWS she had
exchanged with him were never for
moment forgotten. Therefore, all offers
ofmSfriage were at once declined.
Time rolled on. Mary had now
reached her twenty-eiShthy year, and still
remained a maiden beneath the pater-
nal roof.
Oce cold winter evening Mary sat by
the glowing fire in her fathers drawing
.room. Her small white hcncs were
clasped upon her bosom, and her eyes
were cast downward until the lons
her Cheek, Near her, in
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
q "Mary," said he continuing a CONVEX
sation that had been going on between
them, call my life have made your
happiness my constant study and have
given you luxurious home. Now you
are advancing in years, and 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, land
you must accept IL. IL 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 [ would rather
endure all the misery Of the situation
than risk your we'll. being; but I know
you will be happy with Mr.. Ambrose for
husband. He is good and kind, as
weIlHs very rich"
'sfich in what, (ather2"
The old man started at these words,
but ut length answered:
"In honor and manhood" Mary said
no more. ''The crisis is now upon me-"
continued Mr.. Meredith. "In q few
short days shall be overwhelmed with
misery you do not rescue me. Mr..
Ambrose has asked me for your band.
He has seen you many times and loves
you"
"And Mr.. Ambrose makes my hand
the price of your safety?"
s'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.
What answer am to return to Mr.. Am
nArOse?" =
'A"My heart was broken long ago."
Mary answered, looking into her faith
er's face. 81 will. marry this man for
l,,k l. oc