Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-03-18

Dy the glowing ur6 III her IdLuCia
drawing room. Near her in his great
armchair sat Mr. Meredith, with the
SHOWS of many winters on his head
and his face deeply furrowed by the
hand of time. There was an expires
sion of care upon his countenance. He
looked troubled and unhappy.
MARY" said he, continuing a con
versation that had been going on be
tween them, 'all my life | have made
your happiness my constant study,
and have given you luxuriour home.
Now you are advancing 10 years and
| shall, ere long, be separated from
you by death. How can | leave you
alone IN this cold worlo2 A home is
now open to you, and you must accept
it. 1t is not because | owe this man a
very large sum that insist upon this
marriage, although if you refuse him
we will be sunk into the most abject
poverty, l would rather endure all
the misery Of the situation than risk
your well-being; but | know you will
be happy with Mr.. Ambrose for 4
husband. He is good and kind and
very rich,
The old man started at these words,
but at length answered:
"ln honor and manhood.
Mary said no more.
the crisis is now upon me-" con
tinued Mr.. Meredith. "In a few days
| shall be overwhelmed with misery
If you do not rescue me. Mr. Am
brose has asked me for your hand.
He has seen you many times and
loves you
And Mr.. Andrews makes my hand
the price of your safety"
mo, he has not said so; but he is
aware OF my situation, and, knowing
it, asks the hand Of my child. 1t
seems to me as If God had kept you
free to save your old father from ruin.
What answer am | to return to Mr.
Ambrose"
my heart was broken long ago, "
Mary replied, locking into her fathers
face. 81 will marry this man for your
sake, but he must not expect affection
for have none to give. Tell him this
that he may not be deceived. "
81 will bring him here tomorrow ev-
ening, for he is anxious that the inter
view shall be over"
Mr.. Meredith was relieved, the fear
of disgrace was removed from him and
he rej)iced in the prospect Of pros
porous marriage for his daughter.
On the following evening Mary
again sat by the drawing-room fire.
She was alone and calm, but her face
was pale as Parian marble. The out
er door opened and she heard the
sound of footsteps in the hall. Once
more the image of Felix arose before
her, a cold SILVER passed over her and
unbidden tears trembled in her eyes,
but by a great fort she subdued her
agitation before her father and the
mar about to buy her with his gold
entered the drawing room,
Mary arose and extended her hand (;
it was cold as ice, but did not tremble.
/ She glanced at Mr.. Ambrose and saw
a man of medium height with brilliant
dark eyes; a neatly trimmed beard
concealed the lower part OF his vlsage.
He greeted her politely and took a seat.
A short time was spent in conversatln,
but gradually silence fell spon them
which was becoming oppressive when
the visitor broke the spell
Miss Meredith he said, in soft,
low tone, you are Of course aware Of
the object OF my visit here2 Pardon me
/ if [ speak plainly"
Mary looked up but made no reply.
Mr.. Ambrose's voice was so kind end
gentle that she though he deserved a
wife who could love him.
"Your father told me you had no
love TO give me, but that you will
marry me. /, too, once thought |
should never love again, but the sight
of you has dispelled the illusion. Let
me tell you my story. Long years
ago / loved a beautiful young girl ana
she returned my affection. | was
young then, and did not dream that
fate could crush out my souls dearest
hope. That fair girl was my all, my
very life, and / had not though of
the future separated from her. Her
father was a wealthy merchant and l
his poor clerk When l told Lim
loved his daughter he spurned me from
his door and ordered me never TO enter
il again. Oh who besides myself can
ever know the utter midnight of my
blasted hopesl Crushed and broken,
fed in my DESPAIR. In the whirl
d and excitement OF business ! strove to
forget my sorrows. Fortune Singled
me out as her especial favorite. My
widest speculations were successful,
and money accumulated as il by
magic Thus eleven years passed. !
returned to the scene of my unhappi
, ness aad saw you. Need say that all
: the old love surged up in my heart
again. Once more | asked the old
merchant for his daughter the speak
g er's lips trembled he extended his
arms as he continued, and he
conseuteoiat last Mary, will you now
i be miue}n
Mary cast herself into her sutton:
= outstretched arms. After all these
a years Of mysters Felix was restored
T to herr
e Felix Trafford2" gasped the ole
> man as he started to his ieet "FeliS
Z Tratford, my old clerk}'
d Yes, sir; the same. Doyou retrac
u your promises