Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-11-25


must, my intentions in regard to Mel
lie, but sNpposing he thought me ig-
norant of his having the information.
l explained briefly what my prospects
were, and impatiently awaited his an
swer.
1t was not long in coming. Lean
ing back in his chair, and slowly
twisting his heavy watchchain as he
spoke. L am deeply grieved, Mr..
Foster, he began, in sarcastic tones,
TO be obliged to decline your highly
fattering offer, but the truth is I look
higher for mytdauRhter. Parents are
apt to be ambitious for their children,
you know; so perhaps may be par
doned for hoping that Nellie will
make wealthy match. had sup.
posed that your own good sense would
teach you this, and though l was al
ways pleased to see you as friend, l
must beg you to distinctly understand
that anything of this sort is entirely
impossible
! bowed, and left the room without
word Some other time | might ar
que the matter with him, but if |
stayed another minute then, | knew
should choke him; and as he was
Nellie's father, that would not an
swer.
In the hall l met Nellie, who saw in
moment that something was wrong,
and slipping her dear little hand into
mine, drew me out of the door, and
down into a shaded summer house in
the garden, where we could be secure
from Interruptions, before she asked
What is it, Harry
/ told her as quietly as I could,
longing all the while to snatch her
up, and carry her off where her father
would never see her again.
4 was afraid he would not consent
she said, sadly. 4 am convinced he
intends me to marry Mr., Selby, if he
asks me; indeed, / think there is some
understanding on the subject between
them, but will promise you solemn
ly that will marry no one but you.
Perhaps, when papa sees how much I
care for you, he will relent. He is
very fond of me, and generally ends
by letting me have my own way,
though he may scold for while.
So with many promises to be faith
full we parted, my only consolation as
I slowly returned to my lodgings be-
ing that | had not mentioned the
dear little house on Russian Hill to
Nellie. had refrained from telling
her of my purchase, intending it az
delightful surprise, as soon as her
father had given his consent, and
was now very glad that / had done
30. 1T would only have added to her
SORROW | reflected as | found how
hard it was to give up all my own
bright dreams connected with it.
Now, the question was. what should
be done with the house a.? ! could not
bear the thought of letting or selling
it, and finally determined to let it re.
main as it was for the present. If |
found could in no way change Mr.
JameSon's feelings towards me, !
would sell it, and leave San Francis
co.
In the meantime, what should ! do
with myself? 1t was, as | said, my
vacation. ! had declined several in.
vitations to join my friends on their
summer excursions, preferring to re.
main near Nellie. Now almost all
whom / knew were out of town, and
being in no state Of mind to join them,
| shut myself up in my ROOM and
modify pondered on ways and means
Of winning Mr.. Jameson 3 favor.
1t was on the evening Of the TWEEN
ty-ffth that | received little brok-
en- hearted note from Nellie, saying
that her father had brought home
Mr.. Selby, and introduced him to her
as her future husband, and upon her
appeal to him not to sacrifice her, he
had sworn that she should be married
the very next evening, and be out Of
my reach. Mr.. Selby, when she i'm
plored him to withdraw his suit, say
ing she had no love to give him, had
coolly replied that he would be salts.
fed with her esteem-endeavor to be
worthy Of it, ETC., etc.
Nellie concluded by saying that she
had resolved to leave home; she would
not tell me how or where she was GO
ing, lest | should be accused of hay
ing persuaded her to take this step,
but would let me hear from her again
as soon as possible. I shall wait till
TO. morrow afternoon. che added. in