National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-12-05
TRoT's MOTHER.



about It from the beginning. Help yourself
to a cigar first and pass the box to me. |
knew you would want TO hear particulars,
and IL have been trying TO put OF the
evil moment. I'm getting an old man now,
Harry, and all this shook mo good deal at
the timc.n
"Come here, Trot, and sit on my knee
There, that's better Seems odd, Harry
don't IL, to see an old bachelor like me
nursing tiny bit of girl like Trotp -Four
years old to-day, aren't you, Trot? How tho
time fiesl
"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. Itmight have saved her-who knowsl
at must be nine years since your Uncle
Will died aud left Violet in my care. She
was only Is then. Don't you think Trot 1.
very like herr The same large brown eyes
and long lashes, the same loving little ways
"She came to me one morning some
months after you left for China, with let.
ter in her hand.
"Look here, uncle, she said, kneelng he.
side me, and holding the note where could
read; its note from the Colds, aud they
invite me to go aud stay with them at Vent.
nor. May acceptp
"'Do YOU want to 20, Yioletv I asked.
we arc so quiet here at home and this
would be such delightful change Please
LET me, uncle. ! will write you long letters,
and tell you all about everything
"I didn't want to part with her even for
little time, for the three years she had
been with me then had made my life quite
different matter, but It 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 came
that contemplate scoundrel whom In those
few weeks she had learned TO regard as
hero. How lie found out at first that she
had little fortune of her own don't know.
lie asked for me, and told me that he
wanted my permission TO address my niece.
"lIe was a good-looking young fellow,
and had frank, open manner that was
sure to win girls favor, but thought of
you, Harry, and determined to prevent the
matter going farther If / could. took q
strong and apparently unreasonable dislike
TO him, and made many inquiries, hoping
TO find out something that would justify
me In forbldding him the house, but entirely
In vain. But studied him; observed every
little act and word, until at last was con
vinced that | knew him through aud
through, aud that he was no ct husband for
my little Violet.
SPY this time It had bec-me a kind of
tGcit engagement, and | knew / should
seem almost brutal for Interfering, but /
couldn't bear the idea Of giving Violet into
his care. vowed TO myself that nothing
on earth should induce me to do so, and
told him to discontinue his visits.
lVIla rpgrlt Of that Nvnc that ha nama IN a
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 unwlsely ali
through, but II so have been severely pun.
ished for my folly. You have let your
cigar out. Here are the matches.
You want me to tell you all she said and
did-her very words, as well as can re-
member. That's hard matter, for my
memory's not SO good as It used to be.
~ was sitting here one evening, when
Violet came in slowly, and, sitting down
where you are, looked at me very sadly for
some minutes.
"'Uncle, DEAR sle said at last, Il cannot
understand you. Inever believed you could
be so hard and cruel
~ did not speak.
"'It is not like you to be so unjust, SO ar
y
uncle that in the matter OF marriage q
woman should choose for herself and not be
influenced by any one. | have made my
choice and given my word; but oh / should
be so much happier II you were not angry
Do forgive me and be your own kind sell
again.
0"'Yes, when you yield to my wishes
answered, coldly. you are a mere girl
Violet, and have had no experience of men
tnt II Il oh Ina
you to take the consequence of your rash
ness, but as it is
Gas 1t is--what then? Oh, uncle, and
she slipped from her chair and kneeled here
on the rug at my feet, 'pray-pray be youl
old self again. You were never angry with
me before, and 1t seems so strange and un
natural to see you turn your head away
from me without smile. Do you love me
only II j have no voice, no will of my own?
~'Listen to me, chiid,' said, looking hel
in the face, Il have striven TO be father tc
you since brought you here; have loved
you, heaven only knows how dearly IL
return l only ask you to let me prevent youl
making complete wreck Of your life.
want to save you from sad fate, and you
think me tyrant.'
"She took my hand.in bo tn hers aud
pressed her face on 1t, then looked up witt
q smile.
"I wish Harry were here,' she said. 'HC
always took my side.'
~ ought not to have told you that, my
dear boy, but 1t was SO fresh In my mind az
II struck me forcibly at the time, knowing
as did that you loved her. Forgive me
my want Of tact.
"she was not given to shedding tears
like some women, or she would have CRIED
then. Her cheeks were hot and burning
as they touched my hand, while her eyes
were feverishly bright. She used every ar
gument she could find to induce me to con
sent to her engagement, and, as / re
mained silent, she drew nearer and gazed
up sorrowfully and eagerly in my face.
"'You relent, uncle gn she whispered, IN
an agitated way. you will let me bt
happy Z"
sternly, and tried to draw away my fin
gers, but she clung to them tightly, while
her lips quivered.
"'Don't say that, uncle! she cried
hoarsely. Dear uncle, Oh what can say
what can ] say to move you?
"You think was very hard, Harry,
see, but thought It best.
Hush, child,' said. Nothing will
influence me. am resolved
"'And SO am l. she said .sorrowfully,
dropping my hand and rising to her feet
Il should always have wished to please you
but now that you are harsh and unjust and
will not listen to reason, what can dor
"She waited for me to speak; but had
no words at hand. was too hurt and
angry. She went toward the door, then
came back and stood behind me, resting
her hands lightly on my shoulders.
".Try and forgive me, uncle. loyehim
SOL love his faults that make you despise
him and his virtues that you do not know
Won't you kiss me uncleg
~ was half inclined to take her in my
arms and tell her she should do what she
would; but did not After few minute: