The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1890-08-30
Written for The MERIDIoNAL.
GR6GHE's LOVE,

II Nbttlu ptGitI 10 ste yOl iii YOUR
damp cold CRATE than to sec you marry
Carl Winters. i would like to know
who and what he is. Poverty stricken
us he is, what would the rest of your
life be worth. Better marry a fortune,
and spend a fashionable life, than to
marry a moneyless man, and pull out
a miserable existence"
at will not be a miserable life, papa,
if marry Carl, but it will certainly
and surely be a most unhappy one if |
should marry Hampton Clark
"Then you intend to disobey me and
take q man I bitterly hate. / posi-
lively refuse to let you unite your flu
ture life with anyone but my friend
Hampton Clark, and if you try to dis
oby me, I shall use every me3ns that /
can possibly bring to my assistance to
keep you from ever meeting Carl again
on this side of the gravel"
With a low moan of pain that would
seem TO be enough to melt a heart Of
stone, Grace left the room.
This conversation had taken place
between an old man and his only
daughter. This fair maiden's nan
was Oracle Arnold, and her fathers
name was Chester Arnold. Oracle at
this time was twenty years of age.
Her loving mother was called to join
the host of Heavens algels when Grace
was Just three years old. Therefore,
she was deprived of that tender train
ing that only a devoted mother can
give. Yet, without that training Grace
was a noble and kind hearted girl. 1t
is true that her father was kind enough,
provided for ali her wants, gave her a
fine education, etc. Nevertheless,
there was something lacking which her
young and tender heart yearned after
so much, and which was not provided
TO her by her cold hearted father-that
was the tender love she lost when her
dear and kind mother was torn from
her side, and it was never replaced
until she met her poTerty-stricken
lover, Carl Winters.
Now that she had met her hearts
dear love, should she cast him aside
and let the remainder of her life be
a mere blank, and let her fathers
fondest hopes be realized by marrying
Hampton Clark for his money. Hamp-
ton seemed to love her very much, but
never so much as Carl.
Hampton was a gentleman good and
true, but far from being SO noble as
Carl.
Next morning her father sent for
her to come to his room. She could
guess why her father wished to see
her, and she almost tremhled with
fright. She had scarcely slept through
the night, and signs Of violent weep
ing could be discovered on her face.
Yet she knew she must face the foe; so
putting on a brave appearance she
proceeded to her fathers DON
"Good-morning, papa; how are you
feeling this morning z"
Every we'll, my daughter. Take
this chair; | want to converse seriously
this morning. l wish to tell you some
thing that | have not dared to reveal
to any one else; and if,it was not for the
assistance that / would like very much
to get from you, / would not tell you.
For several years past | have been
deeply in debt, and a few weeks ago
have lost all the property in the world
that | posses. Now | hope you under
stand why ! wish you to marry Hamp-
ton. Inow say for good or aye, you
must and shall do as I say
ooh papa How can you ask SO
much of me! How can you see your
only child in misery the remainder Of
her life ~
"You are foolish, child; you will be
the happiest woman in the land. |
inform you that you shall never leave
this house until you have decided to
comply with my request
Oracle returned to her room and
remained there the rest of the day.
She considered long and well what
must be done. After two days had
slowly and YEARLY glided away, and
she found that her fathers will was as
stubborn as syer, she decided to yield.
And oh What pain it cost the heart
sick girl. She went to her father, and
found him looking pale and haggered,
and a feeling Of pity ran through her
childish breast.
Papa, | have concluded to do as
you desire, though against my will.
/ do not care for Hampton, but / do
love Carl. Neither do | care for money.
Never again will this earth seem SO
bright and happy to me; never will the
birds sing SO sweetly, or the stars look
on lovely and brilliant, OF the moons
sever rays 50 charming to me as they
did in days of yore. Life has lost Its
charm p
Hampton VILE be to see you this
morning, " replied her father, not seem
ing to notice her sorrow. Passing
through the hall a servant girl accosted
her something, which was found to be
a request from Carl to meet him under
the willow grove if she could cortriye
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