The Penn's Grove record., 1885-08-08
PAPA'S BLESSING.

81 have asked Wynn to come out
this evening to talk over a little bust.
ness, Dora. If he should arrive before
| get here, you must see to him until
come. Be kind and polite to him my
dear. He is really a very well-meaning
and unassuming fellow, and the most
useful book.keeper l have ever had.
He has seemed a little out of sorts late
ly, and | am sure would be most CRATE
full for anv little attention from you"
This Richard Blair, the rich tea
merchant, had said to his daughter In
the morning, on leaving his pretty villa
at Richmond for the city, with an
amount of pompous condescension
which clearly manifest his sentiments
with regard to book-keepers and their
kind.
Dora was an obedient daughter, as
her reception of her fathers guest that
evening plainly showed; but certainly
the worthy tea.merchant would have
an unassuming character il he had been
q witness of his demeanor on that occa-
sion; for no sooner had the door closed
upon the servant who ushered him into
the presence of his young mistress than
totally unbashed and unblusaing-he
took the young girl into his arms, only
releasing her after leaving upon her
ripe red lips at least half a dozen warm
kisses,
Dora, not appearing in the least sur
prised or disconnected at this greeting,
bore unfinchingly the situation for
fully two minutes before she blushingly
drew back and ~endeavored to bring in
to something like order her soft brown
hair, which with the dainty ruff1es at
her throat, had become somewhat dis
arranged by the welcome she had so
obediently given her fathers guest.
at is a long time since l have seen
you, Harry" she remarked, with a
bewildering glance from beneath the
thick lashes shading the large gray
eyes.
81 should think so indeed-quite an
agel'' responded the book-keeper dis
mally. 81 managed to get away half
an hour before the time your father
told me he should be home. hoping to
see you alone; but he'll be sur to turn
up before he's expected-it's just my
luckl''
Harry. do you know why my father
has sent for you tonight"
81 haven't an idea, excepting that
it's something about the branch of the
business in Hongkong."
81 can enlighten you a little then,
though 1 hardly think you will be as
pleased as my father seems to expect.
One of the men In the house out there
has just died; he had rather a respon-
sible position, l believe, and papa wants
to send you out to take his place."
"As if anything could induce me to
leave England and you, DoraI" cried
the young man. "Why, the separation
would probably be for yearsl"
81 am afraid you must go, Harry
was the girls rather sorrowfulresponse
"You know my father; your refusal to
obey his wishes would probably make
something very like an enemy of him,
and render matters between us ever
more hopeless than they are at pres
"Dora, / must speak to your father"
cried the young man excitedly. "When
he finds that his daughters happiness is
involved, he can't be heartless enough
to refuse our united prayers. He seems
to feel rather kindly toward me. Any
thing would be better than this uncer-
taintyl"
mo, dear Harry. Believe me, it
would be only exchanging uncertainty
for positive resignation of all our hopes.
l know my father well, and 1t is use
less to hide from myself and you that
he loves money far better than his child
He has declared over and over again
that he will never give his consent to
my marriage with a man poorer than
himself; and | know he will never re-
his word"
"And you advise me to go off to
with the probability of never
you again, DoraP Nothing can
be worse than that, ~surelyp
"Oh, Harry, l must have time to
think | heard of it only this morning."
cried Dora, on the verge of tears.
''There comes papa now and l have so
much still to say to you. l must see
you again. Could you manage to come
down on Thursday at this time for
half an hourp My father is going to a
dinner In the city on that evening.
''Of course l can" responded Harry,
Just as the door opened to admit the
master of the establishment.
"Oh, Wynn, you arrived 6rstl
Prompt as eyer-a most excellent quail
In a young man. l hope my daugh.
ter has made you comfortable -eh,
81 tried to do SO, papa" responded
the young lady demurely. 81 suppose
my company can be dispensed with
"Yes, my dear, you may go. Blythe
way, you may as well send US a bottle
wine. please"
swell, Wynn" began the merchant,
when the two men we're left alone, as
be walked up and down the room, evil
IDENTIFY satisfied with himself and all
the world, ~ have TO tell you that
there is excellent news from America,
we have closed the contract with that
firm in New York Of which you have
heard me speak, and the transaction
will bring us in something very like
twenty thousand pounds. Not at all a
had job-eh, Wynn"
"You are usually fortunate, sir"
answered Wynn, a little bitterly.
81 have something else to say which
will interest you more nearly, my boy.
have Just heard of the death Of
lanes our secretary at Hou0konO and