Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-08-15
THWARTED.
By NARY KYLE DALLAS.

Before going out for her morning ride,
Jessie Lane always went to her fathers
study to bid him goodbye, and get her
usual kiss.
She was the only child at home. The
sweet mother she had loved so we'll had
now been dead five years, and Jessie was
the idol of her fathers heart.
AS she opened the door of the study
he looked up and smiled and held out
his hand.
GAS pretty as picture, he said, 'Eand
am not the only one who thinks SO
either"
Jessie blushed, and perching on her
fathers knee, took big spice pink from
her belt and pinned it into the lapel of
his coat.
Glad another offer for me, papaf" she
laughed. ssWell, tell the man just what
I asked you tell Mr.. Rodman-that I am
too fond of my home and my father to
marry any one just yet"
"But if I should tell you wished you
to do so, Jessie?" said the father.
AS he spoke, she noticed that his lips
were white, his cheeks pallid, and that
He had not looked well for some days,
and it occurred to her that he might fear
some fatal illness and wish to see her
married before he left this world.
At this thought her own face lost its
bright rose tint, and tears filled her eyes.
"Papa!" was all she could say, as she
hid her face on his shoulder.
"My dear, marriage is the usual fate
of woman said Mr.. Lane, with a tremor
in his voice that Jessie had never heard
before, ''and you must consider this
offer, for my sake. Casper Paul is madly
in love with you; he asked me tell you
SO, and ask you to accept him."
"Ohv said the girl, much relieved,
sit is joke. never was so frightened
in my life"
cit is no joke, darling" said the
father. 81 mean what 1 say"
Jessie sprung from his knee and stared
at him with wide open eyes.
"Casper Paulr said she. ga clerk
in your office! One you do not even
think well of at that! A man with
nothing to recommend him in manners
or appearance! Papa, you don't mean
it?"
81 d." persisted Mr.. Lane. 81 was
poor clerk myself in the old days when
your mother married me, and you have
beauty enough for two. The young
fellows passionate alteration has touched
a romantic spot in my old heart. Can't
you overlook his deficiencies, and give
me yes for him"
IL had much rather die!" Jessie an
swered. 81 am trembling all over. 1
cannot bear it much longer. Don't tease
me any more"
81 WON'T" said the old man. "Of
course, it is a senseless joke. Kiss me
and go for your ride. There-there.
How could you think me in earnest9"
jessie kissed her father, but her mind
was not relieved. His manner was very
strange, his face pallid, his voice full
of misery. An impression that her
fathers mind was unstrung came upon
her as she took her way down stairs, and
she turned back, feeling that she could
not leave him so, and ran to the study
door, pulling it open suddenly. /
AS she did so she saw a sight that she
never forgot in all her life.
Her father stood in the middle of the
room holding a revolver to his fore
head. To spring toward him, to snatch
the weapon from his hand, was the work
of an instant.
As she clutched it it went off, There |
was a crash-the bullet had passed |
through the window-pane-the great
sheet of plate.gla was snivered to
atoms. The servants rushed in af- |
highted.
''I've been handling pistol against
papa's ORDERS" Jessie said. t1No one |
hurt, but I'm too nervous to go out. |
Tell John to take the horses back to the |
stable"
With the comments and EXPLANATIONS !
to be expected, the servants retired. |
Father and daughter were alone. He
sat in a great armchair, his eyes closed, |
his hands clasped together. She knelt
down before him, her cheek upon his
shoulder.
'Papa," she said, s'tell me the truth |
What has happened? and what has Casper |
Paul tc do with ita Are you going to |
fall2 But, if so, how could my marry
ing Casper Paul help you? He is only |
a poor young man, without power or in
huence."
''Little do you know his power,
child" said the old merchant. s'There (
is no money in the question. would |
beg in the streets rather than give you to |
Casper Paul. There, ask no more The |
time will come when You will regret that |
ri