The Washington critic., 1886-04-17
MARY'S ROMANCE.

In the drawing-room at Hcathcot, in
the gray September twilight, Mary
Meredith and Felix Trafford sat en-
gagged in earnest conversation.
II really cannot see any cause for
your despair, dear Felix. Have not
told you how dearly l love your No
power on earth shall ever force me to
break my plighted troth to you. Have
you no confidence in me?"
"All confidence, Mary; know you
will be true to me"
"Then what is 1t you fear2"
Everything. You are young and
beautiful, the rich Mr.. Meredith's only
child, while am poor clerk in the
house of Meredith Brothers, with moth
ing but an unsullied reputation, some
brains, and good right hand to help
me through the world"
$50 much the better. then, that am
the daughter of the rich Mr.. Meredith.
Dear Felix, papa esteems you and has
implicit confidence in your honor. He
invites you here and allows our ac-
auaintance. Why do you annoy your
self so about imaginary troubles?"
"Your father trusts me and / must
be true to him, you, and myself. will
go to him and frankly confess our at
tachment. l should feel miserable
| otherwise"
go now; he is In his study"
Felix caught the girl in his arms and
kissed her rosy lips.
Your confidence inspires me with
hope" he said, and went away on his
| mission.
Tapping at Mr.. Meredith $ study door
and receiving permission to enter,
Felix approached the old gentleman,
who gave him his hand, saying:
why, boy, you are an unexpected
visitor. No bad news, l hope?"
| mo, sir; but want to ask Of you a
| gift so precious that have very little
hope of obtaining it,
"Well, name it. am always glad
to favor you If l can"
Felix was greatly agitated, but sum-
moned up all his courage and said
"Mr. Meredith, l love your daughter.
do not, however, ask you to give her
to me now. Only let me hope that
when prove to you--"
Mr.. Meredith leaned back in his
chair amazed. 1t had never occurred
to him that this young clerk would
dare to lift his eyes to his daughter.
you are an ungrateful, treacherous
scoundrel |" he cried. "Out of com
passion for your friendlcssness l ad.
mitted you to my house and my daugh
ter's society, and you, villain that you
are, have taken the opportunity to steal
into her confidence and win her mex
perienced heart. Begone, sir, and
never let me see your face again -
"Listen to me one moment, Mr..
Meredith"
"Not one secondv' cried the old
man, as he violently brought down his
clenched fist upon the table. "Leave
the house instantly or the servants shall
thrust you out.
AS If to put his threat into execution
he fiercely rang the bell.
AS Felix staggered along the passage,
his heart so oppressed with contending
emotion that he was scarcely conscious
of anything, he met Mary, who,
alarmed at the violent ringing of the
bell, was rushing to her fathers study.
Felix wildly threw his arms about her
kissing her again and again. Then he
tore himself hastily away and rushed
from the house.
Mary never knew what occurred al
that terrible interview. Mr.. Meredith
was deaf to all her entreaties, and hel
lover had disappeared. The poor Cir
was stricken with brain fever, and fol-
weeks her life hung in the balance. Re
pentance came too late to the unhappy
father, for although sought for far anC
near, Felix could not be found Al
length youth and a good constitution
| hrpttu1,t haolY health tn rho hpnrt .hrnlgpy
girl. But alas the blooming Hebe ol
seventeen summers was no more. IT
her place tall, pale girl appeared, bu
with beauty that even the most fas
tidious admired The golden brown
curls that clustered around her temple
lay in ripping waves upon brow a
pure as snow, and the lustrous haze
eye wore an expression of sadness tina
told of the heart-grief that would b
hers forever.
Mr.. Meredith travelled with hi
daughter through all the most attractiv
parts of Europe for year, and then
at her request, he took her home
, Mary had become a woman, u bright
intelligent, glorious woman, and crowd
, of admirers worshiped at her feet. Blu
the image of Felix was still as fresh a
ever in her heart and the vows she hat
exchanged with him were never for
, moment forgotten. Therefore, a
) offers of marriage were at once dc
, clined.
Time rolled on. Mary had nov
reached her 2Sth year and still re
mained maiden beneath the parents
, roof
t One cold winter evening Mary sat b
5 the glowing fire in her fathers draw
ing-room. Near her, in his great arr
chair, sat Mr.. Meredith, with the snow
/, of many winters on his head and hi
! face deeply furrowed by the hand q
time. There was an expression of car
. upon mis- countenance. He locke
troubled and unhappy.
Mary" said he, continuing cor
a versation that had been going on be
t tween them, "all my life / have mad
! your happiness my constant study an
have given you a luxurious home. No
you are advancing in years and | shal
ere long, be separated from you b
death. How can | leave you alone |
: this cold world? A home is now ope
A to you and you must accept it, 1t
:, not because owe this man a very larg
!, sum that ! insist upon this marriag,
. although if you refuse him we will |
/ sunk into the most abject poverty,
would rather endure all the misery {
the situation than risk your well bein!
but / know you will be happy wit
q Mr.. Ambrose for a husband. He
a good and kind as well as very rich"
y Erich in what, father?"
II The old man started at these word
2, but at length answered.;
a In honor and manhood"
!, Mary said no more.
:, "The crisis is now upon me-" col
y tinued Mr.. Meredith. SIN few day
y | shall be overwhelmed with misery
II you do not rescue me. Mr., Ambro
d has asked me for your hand, He III
8 seen you many times and loves you.
% "And MIR. Ambrose makes my han