The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-09-05
TROT'S MOTHER.

ll(Ol ~ MOl III El.
"Well, my boy, I'll try and tell you
all about ii from the beginning. Help
yourself to cigar first, and pass the
box TO me, knew you would want to
hear the particulars, and II have
been trying to put Off the evil moment.
Pm getting an old man now, Harry,
and all this shook me good deal at
the time"
Come here, Trot, and sit on my
knee. There, that's better. Seems
odd, Harry, doesn'tit TO see an old bach
clor like me nursing tiny bit of girl
like Trot? Four years old to-day,
aren't you, Trot2 How the time fliesl'
you see, my dear lad, you ought to
have told her before you went away.
She never guessed that you thought of
her in that way. 1t might have saved
her-who knows?
at must be nine years since your
Uncle VIII died and left Violet in my
care. She was only 10 then Don't
you think Trot IL very like her?
The same large brown eyes and
long lashes, the same loving little
ways.
"Shc came to me one morning soon
after you started for Cuba, with q letter
in her hand.
Look here uncle, she said, knecl-
ing beside me, and holding the note
where ] could read; it's from tn
Colds, and they invite me to go and
stay with them at Ventnor. May
accept?'
DO you want to go, violet?'
asked.
"Of course I do, she answered,
laughing we are so quiet here at
home, and this would be such de-
lightfull change. Please let me, uncle.
I'll write you long letters, and tell you
about everything p
81 did not want to part with her even
fora little time, for the three years she
had been with me then had made my
life quite n different matter; but IL
seemed selfish to keep the bright
merry girl always shut up with
crusty old man. | gave her leave to
90, and then, when after fortnight
she wrote begging to be allowed to stay
longer, as her friends wished, / had
not the heart TO refuse. She was there
five weeks and then she came home
"The very day after her return he
cGme-that contemplate scoundrcl
whom in those few weeks she had
learned to regard as hero. How he
found out at first that she had little
fortune of her own | don't know. He
asked for me, and told me that he
wanted my permission to address my
niece.
"Hc was a good looking young fell
low, and had frank open manner that
was sure to win girls favor; but |
thought of you, Harry, and determined
to prevent the matter going further if |
could / took strong and apparently
unreasonable dislike to him, and made
many inquiries, hoping to find out
something that would justify me in for
bidding him the house, but entirely in
vain. But ] studied; observed every
little act and word, until at last | was
convinced that | knew him through,
and that he was no fit husband for my
little Violet.
by this time 1t had become a kind
of tacit engagement, and j knew |
should seem almost brutal for interior.
ing, but couldn't bear the idea of Civ
ing Violet into his care. ! vowed to
myself that nothing on earth should
induce me TO do so, and told him to
discontinue his visits.
"The result of that was that he came
TO definite understanding with Violet,
and she promised to marry him with
or without my consent.
Don't look at me so reproachfully,
Harry. 1t may be that / acted un-
wisely all through but if so | have
been severely punished for my folly.
You have let your cigar so out, Here
are the matches
you want me to tell you all she
said and did-her very words, as well
rs | can remember. That's hard
matter, for my memory's not as good as
it used to be.
Il was sitting here one evening,
when Violet came in slowly, and, sit
| ting down where you are, looked ut
me very sadly for some minutes.
"'Unclc, dear she said at last, L
cannot understand you, | never be-
lieved that you could be 50 hard and
cruel"
81 did not speak.
"'lt is not like You to be so unjust
so arbitrary, she went on. 1t seems
TO me, uncle, that in the matter of
marriage woman should choose for
herself and not be influenced by any
enc | have made my choice and
given my word; but oh | should be so
much happier if you We're not angry,
Do forgive me and be your own kind
self again
Yes, when you yield to my
wishes, | answered, coldly. You are
| a ni,1 NiA1nt aud h,I
experience of men. If you were ten
years older should leave you to take
the consequences of your rashness, but
as it is
"'As it is-what then? Oh! uncle,
and she slipped from her chair and
kneclcd here on the rug at my feet,
'pray-pray be your old self again.
You were never angry with me before,
and it seems so strange and unnatural
to see you turn your head away from
me without smile. Do you love me
only if have no voice, no will of my
OWN
"Listcn to me, child, said, look
ing her in the face, 4 have strivcn to
be father to you since brought you
here; ! have loved you, heaven only
knows how dearly! In return only
ask you to let me prevent your making
a complete wreck of your life. ! want
To save you from sad fate, and you
think me Il tyrant,
"Shc took my hand in both hers and
pressed her face on it, then looked up
with a smile,
81 wish Harry was here she said.
lie would help me to convince you.
lie always took my side
Il ought not to have told you that
my 9ear 9oy, out II was SO IrGsh IN my
time, knowing as | did your love fol
her, Forgive me my want of tact.
She was not given to shedding
tears like some women, or she would