The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-04-02
CHATTER VIII.
A TRUE LOVER.

CHAPTER VII.
A TRUE LOVER
After momentary sensation of faintness.
that follows close on ESther'S diSappearauce.
Penruddock rallies, and tells himself that
her presence in this particular house is but
one of the condolences that will occasional
ly occur in all our lives, and that her wild al
lnsiOn TO objectionable dates has only arisen
from the morbid qualities that 20 50 far TO
make up her character.
BY the time his son has arrived, and is
ushered into his private Sitting-TOOm, he is
himself again, composed, calm, and cold and
freer from foolish sentiment than he was an
hour ago, reaction having set in.
He opens his subject, which has 70 do en-
trely with Dicks misplaced affection for
Miss Neville, so called" without any ap-
pearence Of eHcItsment OF undue warmth,
merely expressing in every possible way his
disapprObatiOn OF the young lady 70 whom
his son is 50 devoted.
When he has finished, Dick for several mo-
ments remains quite silent
When rejected by Maud on the night OF
the dance, he had given way to despair, but
so many little things have occurred since
then TO encourage new hopes, that he has,
on reflection, declined TO be altogether dis
heartened.
Her love is not aS yet given to another, and
therefore she may be his some time In the
happy underlined future.
Il regret that 1 must 90 against you in this
matter" he says at Length, quietly but de-
He is standing on the hearth-rug, his arms
folded and looking frowningly upon the car
pet
His father. standing opposite to him. with
clOuded brow, is regarding him anxiously.
~ on speak Ike child who is asked TO re-
lnquish favored and dangerous toy" he
says, cOntemptuOuSly. ~ GU, with your for
tune and position, 70 marry girl pennnesS,
nameleSs-nay, II report speaks correctly,
even worse than"
That will do, says the young man, with
a sudden gesture suggestive OF passion. Say
nothing more, if you please. It's Of no cOnse-
quence whatever 10 me that she Is poor and
nameleSS as We're she possessed of all the
wealth in Christendom, and owner of the
highest title in the land, 1 could not possibly
love her more than l do now"
Sentiment in the young is admirable"
says PenruddOck, in a sneering tone 1T be
trays amlabillty and good feeling. But even
virtues may be carried to excess. Do you
pardon me-but do you mean to UIdTTy this
young WOman?'
1t would be difficult to say why, but who
ever knew man that wasn't annoyed when
any one called the girl he loved young
What else should mean," he asks, with
wretchedly-concealed ire, If she will have
me?'
oh! you need not entertain any anxiety
on that point. They always have one, says
PenTuddOck, conteInptupuSly. 1t is gener-
ally complete take in from start 10 finish"
Then, changing his Dne from one of un-
pleasant banter to that of authority Now
look here he says; let us have no more OF
this. You can't marry her."
IerlapS q ne speaks he 1OrgeUS how the
son inherits his own blood and temper to
some degree.
Il shall be quite charmed if nothing more
is said about II, said Dick, brushing care
lessy some spots OF dust from his coat; but
shall certainly marry Miss Neville II l can
induce her to accept me-
There is something in the quiet determine
ton of his tone that impresSes George Pen
Tuddock.
Going over to his son, he lays his hand up
on his shoulder, and says more gently-uaY,
HsWH nrrnA a=aaNH 1T hot
you are going TO do. This marriage viii
mean to you ruin, misery, unaysiling regret"
1t means my one chance of happiness"
says Dick, with deep sigh, throwing UP his
head, and looking eagerly forward, as though
in the distance he could see some sight trat
to him was full OF sweetness and light
dock, unsteadily NOT all the years gone
by, in which have lived, and thought and
speculated for you alone? Is this, after all
that l have done, 10 be my sole retuTn%
Dear father" says Dick, turning to him
with quick and eager affection, "why try to
make me miserable? / remember alt-evBTy
kind word and kinder action; and | would
implOre you in this, the most important act
of my life 10 give me your sympathy. When
you know Maud you viii better understand
me, because YOU. too, viii love her. To-mor-
row l shall ask her again to be my wife, and
If she consents, which tand here he looked
and spoke very mouInfully5 Il strongly
doubt you will gain daughter as loving rs
Nay" says Penruddock angrily, turning
aside; Il want no daughter picked from the
mire. Go, sir!' pointing To the door. I
shall not again sue TO you for either your
love OF obedience. ct stay, and hear my
last words, as YOU intend 10 go tomorrow to
ask that girl sgain 10 marry you. warn
you l shall be there too, to explain to her the
terrible injustice she viii do you should she
cor sent to your proposal
And l warn you" says Dick, calmly, but
in very curious tone, that 1t VIII be eN-
tremely unwise OF you, or any one, 20 say
anything likely TO wound OF offend Miss Ne
vile, even in the very slightest degree"
As the door closes upon his son, George
PenruddOck sinks heavily into the nearest
chair, covers his fi>ce with his hands, and Is
overcome with emOtien.
And for this have suffered, and endured,
d and Snea On Rs 1s. syS Win nssb Go9SqlEe ~ nnSe
my wretched past. But that can never be,
alas l-that can never be-
When Dick leaves his fathers presence, il
Is but u hasten - His rooms, aud send a
hRaty but tender note 10 Miss Neville, telling
her Of his Intention - call next day, and
again entreat her To look favOrably upon his
suit
Then re puts in few lines about his faith
er, very deiicateIy written, saying that ne
also intends putting in an appearance At
South Audley Street on the morrON; and
while assuring her OF his own lasting atfec-
ton Tor her, implores hcr-as she feels even
n poor sentiment OF friendship Tor htm-tO
pay no heed to any dispaTaKing remarks that
ignorance Of her sweet excellence may III
duce any one 10 make.
After this follow a few more little SEN
tences put in rather incoheTenty, but in all
probability, the dcaTeT because OF their Want
of precision to thU reader of them, and then
he IS hers most faithfully, and with the en-
tire love Of his hear, DICK PenruddOcG."
1t is a thorough lOye-lctteT; one that might
have been written a century ago, when love
was thing more sacred and more full OF
courtesy than it is to-day.
Maud. sitting in her own room, Weeps bit
ter tears over il, and kisses it fOOiishly but
very fondly, and tells herself again and again
that fate has dealt unjustly with her in that
il cOmpelS her to resign the writer OF this
gentle billet dOUT, and, putting him entirely
out of her life, leave him free tO be gained
and loved by some more fortunate woman.