The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-07-09

| for gold. Father, why dld you en-
courage him ?"
9" My daughter" said Mr.. Chand-
Ter, Z" would never have believed
you to be such an ungrateful child.
Have you no confidence in your
fathers Judgment ?"
= love papa too dearly to dis
trust his motives but how can he
know who l may love, and he does
not, for this very act proves il"
Then said Mr.. Chandler, sharp
! lly," are you wasting your affections
upon that penniless clerk ?"
Father, do not speak SO of Mr..
Lockwood he is a man of more
than ordinary intelligence. and be-
cause, as you have been pleased to
remark, penniless, he is none the
less a gentleman"
Is it possible, Eugenia, that
you could be induced to marry him p
"Since he has made an acknowl
edgment to you. / will say in all
earnestness that l love him, and
shall consent to marry none other,
and, dear father, if you expect your
son-in-law to hold high position
in life, exert your influence in his
behalf with fair chance you need
never be ashamed of Wilbur Lock
wood"
Her palid cheek betrayed the
emotion of Ter heart.
"Eugenia, it is my wish that
you become the wife of Mr.. Orthing-
ton"
/" Father. | have obeyed you in
all things from my childhood, but
when you ask me to sacrifice my
happiness, and all that makes life
worth living, for that it was given
us, to obey is not my duty"
Without waiting for reply, Eu
genia sought her own room, where
the pent up agony of her soul found
vent in tears.
Mr.. Chambers surprise and anger
at his daughters positive refusal, for
the first time, to obey his commands
knew no bounds. His iron will
could not be turned from its pur-
pose, and time did not serve to re-
lax his determination.
Once again Eugenia had pleaded
for WILDER Lockwood, but for the
last time the stern parent had
commanded her never again to
breathe that name in his pres
ence.
Every artifice had been used to
bring her to consent to marry Mr..
Orthington, but to no avail.
Mr.. Chandler, rather than lose
what he thought to be brilliant Of
fer, resolved to bend her to his will.
Consequently the marriage contract
was drawn, and handed to Eugenia
to sign.
Father, l have used all the
means in my power to avoid
this, as well as to convince you
that l can never love Mr.. Ortiz
ington. This is my death-warrant
the warrant that eonsigns me to
an early grave. With this avowal
from me, do you still command
me ?"
1t is my wish, Eugenia," )" replied
Mr.. Chandler, nervously turning the
paper in his hands.
No tear moistens the eye when
she signs the contract, and as Mr..
Chandler refolded the papers he at
tempted to acknowledge his sppro-
bation.
But Eugenia cut him short.
"She will see the advantage in
after years." said Mr.. Chandler to
himself, to quiet his unpleasant feel
ings.
Pale and downcast, Eugenia
stands before the altar
"Will you love, cherish and
obey ?"
No answer passes her lips.
Again the minister repeats his
question. i
Scarcely above a breath the sound
reacDeu MS ear
will obey"
He quickly passes through with
the ceremony. He already reads
the truth. and his kind, noble
heart is moved with compassion.
One short month, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Chandler are called to the bed
side of their dying child.
Doctor" said Mr. Chandler,
wringing his hands in agony, "save
eur child! Oh, save herp
Impossible p he replied )" there
is no cure for broken heart"
Father, mother, you diverted the
hand of Providence. Reap your re-
ward in a life filled with sorrow and
regret. Your repentance comes too
late.