The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-05-15

"Leola, he SAID. hNt sterlly, u sent
for you that you might assist me to
convince this-this gentleman that you
still obey me-. IL.
She looked from one to the other with
open, wondering eyes, the young man
was deadly pale and his lips were
firmly set indeed, he looked very I'M
like lover, but very handsome.
"You will kindly cling to facts, Mr..
Forester" he said quietly, and the
banker flushed nngrily
"What do you intend to imply ?
Have You more inso,once to offer Z" he
asked Ia
II offer no iusolonce,' Dick answered
recovering himself sufficiently to draw
forward chair for Leola, for which she
thanked him. II simply asked your"
My permission to make my daughter
an offer of your hand aud fortune, was
it not?' the old man broke in weither-
ingly, "and l declinc the offer in her
name. Doubtless you would like very
well to WOO and win an heiress, Mr..
Alvon, but, as told you, 1 have other
views for my daughter"
| Papa "-Leola had not taken the
chair Dick offered her. but stood near
it, one hand resting on the back <" for
shame, papa! Is it necessary to insult a
gentleman who pays your daughter so
great a compliment? Since you have
spoken SO rudely to Mr. Alvon, perhaps
it would be as we'll for him to speak to
me on the subject. | will answer him
as woman can answer such things,
papa l."
"You will tell him that his pre-.
sumption is insufferablo her father
said, still angrily. "You will tell him
that you and can manage to exist with
out counting beggarly lawyer among
our acquaintances.
II do not think l will quite say that,
papa" the girl said her cheeks flushed,
her eyes glowing. 81 will say solely
what my heart prompts. / am listening,
Mr.. Alvon" turning to him, slight
tremor in her voice, ....
Dick had been very patient consider
ing that he was not usualey slow to anger.
He was rather pale still, rs he lifted
his head and addressed Leola
81 am what 1 have Just been called,
Miss tForrester a beggarly lawyer; but
1 am n man for all that. 1t may seem
as strange to you as it does to your
father that one in my circumstances
should think OF love or chance OF
happiness, being unable to purchase it
and yet l wrong you you will listen
patiently while l tell you that l have
grown to love you with mans best
love, and ask if there be not chance OF
my winning you. Not now, while / can
offer you but my empty hand and honest
love but some time when L have won
way and drawn success to me by the
efforts can and will make with such @
hope before me. Ii there is voice in
your heart that would speak for me dc
not silence it. 1 am saying this to the
woman love, not to Miss Forester the
belle and khoiress. Will you answer me
here in your fathers presence? would
take no answer from him would take
What will it be?'
His words, which had made the veins
on the bankers forehead swell with
indignation, moved Leola strangely
she flushed and paled, and the hand OIL
the chair began to tremble.
"And have told you she wants none
of your love-" Mr.. Forester broke out
impatiently. But his daughter tqrnet
to him with II sudden gesture whicl
silenced him.
How much you are Mistaken papa,
she said clearly; for do want it-al
of it. / quite understand you, turning
to Dick, "and honor the frankness o
your manhood. l take your love, oh, 81
willingly, so gladly! 1 have long re
spected you above all others 1 Low,
you now. I will go with you; 1 vii
help you in every struggle; 1 will no
watch you from afar I will"
"You are mad !" her father cried.
But she held out her hands to Dick
and he was covering them with kisse
and whispering loving, disconnected
words of affection.
"Leola, do you know what you ar
doing?" her father cried again, in
great rage.
But she smiled in her lovers face an'
answered pleasantly
II know perfectly, papa. l am promis
ing to be Dicks wife, and telling my
self how happy am going to be-"
"You will be beggar, then" Mr.
Forester said, through his shut teeth
"Ill give my money TO some charity
I'll found an asylum III sink it in th'
Hudson river. You shall never touch
dollar of it,"
Papa dear, money is very nice, bu
it is not everything especially to ,
woman, Leola said. quietly. II dom
think Ill mind very rnpch, papa"
"Ill close my dos against you II
never look on your face again!" fumeC
the stern parent.
She paled then.
"Papa, you'll not do that You love-
mamma why should l not love some
body too? You may do what you vii
with your money, but love me still, papa
l could not live without that
Here Dick came to the front again
smiling rather heartlessly, l confess q
the scene he had caused
II think this can be arranged littl
differently, after all, he SAID cheerfully
81 am not the presumptuous begga
you think me, Mr.. Forester L am tn
fortunate inheritor of very snug fol
tune left me lately by an aunt, 1t con
sists of fine old place on the Hudson
a cottage at Newport, farm in tn
northern part Of the State, and a fe'
thousands i'll the bank, L have fancie
myself not utterly indifferent to Leolt
! and wanted to assure myself that sh
loved me-was willing to give herself I
a poor man, simply because she love
. him. am willing to forget all yo
said, sir, and will promise to do my be'
to make you a model son-in-law, Wi
you give me youc daughter now Nj
+ Forester"
4 "It's about the only thing | can d
. now, seeing that She was willing to Civ