The Princeton union., 1889-08-15

parting he said he would come tomorrow.
and ask you for my hand; but must inter-
cede with you, first, or you would be sure to
say No So l declined to interfere; W w-what
me. Was it likely you would give him such
treasure as Me unless stood his friend?"
(For the b-b-razen Thing turns humble now
and them And, oh, mamma, he did so i'm
plore me to pity him, and kept saying no
man ever loved as he loved me, and with
MS begging and praying me so passionately,
on. 80 passionately, l felt something warm
drop from his poor eyes on my hand. OhI
OIL OIL ohl What could 1 do? And then,
you know, ! wanted to get away from him.
SO am afraid did just say yes but only
in whisper. Mamma, my own good, kind,
darling mamma, have pity on mel! We
love one another So"
A shower of tender tears gushed out in
support OF this appeal; and in a moment she
was caught up with Loves mighty arms,
and her head laid on her mothers yearning
bosom. No word was needed to reconcile
these two.
After long silence Mrs. Dodd said that
this would be a warning never to judge her
sweet child from distance again, or un-
heard. "And therefore," said she. t1et me
hear from your own lips how SO serious an
attachment could spring up? Why, it is
scarcely month since you were first intro
duced at that ball"
Mamma" murmured Julia, hanging her
head, "you are mistaken; We knew each
other before"
Mrs. Dodd looked all astonishment.
NOW will make a clean breast
of it," said julia, impetuously
addressing some invisible obstacle 81 tell
you am sick of having secrets from my own
mother" And with this out it all came
She told the story of her heart better than
l have. And, womanlike. dwelt on the depths
of loyalty and delicate love she had read in
Alfred's moonlit face that night at Henley.
She said no eloquence could have touched her
like 1T. Mamma, something said to me-
'Ay, look at him we'll, for that is your hus-
band-to be-" She even tried to solve the
mystery of her soi-disant sickness. 81 was
disturbed by feeling so new and so power
ful, but, above all, by having secret from
you; the first; the last'
"Well, darling. then why have secret.
Why not trust me, yourfriend as well as your
mOther?''
"Ah! why, indeed! am a puzzle to myself.
| wanted you to know, and yet could not
tell you. l kept giving you hints, and hoped
SO you would take them, and make me speak
out. But when tried to tell you plump,
something kept pull-pull-pulIing me inside.
and couldn't. Mark my words! some day
it will turn out that am neither more nor
less than fooI.''
Mrs. Dodd sighted this ingenious solution.
She said after q moments reflection, that the
fault of this misunderstanding lay between
the two. ~ remember now 1 have had many
hints. Ny mind must surely have gone to
sleep. was poor simple woman who
thought her daughter was to be always a
child. And you were very wrong to 20 and
set limit to your mothers love. There is
none-none whatever" She added: II
must import little prudence and respect
for the worlds opinion into this new connec-
tion; but whoever you love shall find no
enemy in me-"
Next day Alfred came to his fate. He was
received with ceremonious courtesy. At first
he was q good deal embarrassed, but this
was no sooner seen than it was relieved by
Mrs. Dodd with tact and gentleness When
her turn came, she said, "Your papa? Of
course you have communicated this step to
Alfred looked little confused, and said.
mo; he left for London two days ago, as it
happens" ~
"That is unfortunate,' Said Mrs. Dodd.
"Your best plan would be to write to him
at once. need hardly tell you that we shall
enter no I; family without an invitation from
Alfred replied that he was we'll aware of
that, and that he knew his father and could
answer for him.
"Nod doubt" said Mrs Dodd; "but as a.
matter unreasonable form, prefer he sh hould
answer for himself"
Alfred would write by this post cit is g.
mere form" said he, "for my father has but
one answer to his children, Please YOUR
selves BE sometimes adds, sand how much
money shall you want?' These are his two
formula"
He then delivered a glowing eulogy on his
father; and Mrs. Dodd, to whom The bows
character was now grave and anxious
study. saw with no common satisfaction his
0hn A,rrh
dwelt on the calm, sober. unvaryng affection,
and reasonable indulgence, he and his
sister, had met with all their lives
from the best of parents. Returning to the
topic of topics, he proposed an engagement.
IL have ring in my pocket said this brisk
woer, looking down. But this Mrs. Dodd
thought premature and unnecessary
''You are nearly OF age" said she, 'sand
then you will be able to marry it you are in
the same mind" But upon being warmly
pressed, she half conceded even this. "WeT.''
said she, ION receiving your fathers consent,
you can propose an engagement to Julia,
and she shall use her own Judgment. Butun-
til then you will not even mention such
thing to her. May count on so much for
bearance from you sir?''
"Dear Mrs Dodd," said Alfred, "of course
you may. L should indeed be uncrateful if
| could not wait a post for that. May l
write to my father here?" added he, naively.
MrS. DOQQ smiled, furnished him with
writing materials, and left him, with polite
excuse. .
s.E, "ALBIoN VILLA, SEPT 80.
my DEAR ARFATHER,-You are too thorough
man of the world, and two well versed in
human nature. to be surprised at hearing
that, /, so long invunerable, have at last
formed a devoted attachment to one whose
beauty, goodness, and Accomplishments
will not now enlarge upon; they are inde-
scribable, and you will very soon see them
and judge for yourself. The attachment.
though short in weeks and months. has been
a very long one in hopes aud fears, and
devotion. should have told you of it be-
fore you left, but in truth had no idea was
so near the goal Of all my earthly hopes.
There were many difficulties, but these have
just cleared away almost miraculously, and
nothing now is wanting to my happiness
but your consent. 1t would be affectation.
or worse in me to doubt that you will grant
it.. But in matter SO delicate, venture to
ask you for something more. The mother
of my ever and only beloved Julia is q lady
OF high breeding and sentiments.
She will not let her daughter enter any
family without u cordial invitation from it's
head. Indeed, she has just told me so.
ask, therefore, not your bare consent of
which am sure, since my happiness for life
depends on it, but consent so gracefully
worded-and who can do this better than
you?-as to crafty the Just pride and sensi
nf +Goh o.1,,,,s, i. r. -