The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-07-03
AF0URTH OF JULY STORY

ACOO hlh VI u y IL OlOl
a. ca rtutHlF a
u was wonder to all Snowden how
ms Ely and her daughter managed to
Uve. They had COW, it is true, but a
pEooession Of small boys came every
uight and morning to the widows pretty
sot*age with pitchers and pennies in
hand for the daily measure of milk. One
little egg cup full Lefty poured from the
pail as she brought it in frothing for her
mothers tea. The rest was all convert
ID into money, and except the micro
spnpic insurance that came from the
hiDdly brothers of something to which
he late Mr.. Ely belonged very little
other lucre found its way into the small
outtage. It. u.
Not hundred yards from this tiniest
Il cottages was an imposing stone gate
w leading to the well kept grounds of
6Quire Melville. His grand house was
closed all winter, but one of the symp-
tums of spring well known to the villag-
sEs was the renovating and house clean
ing which presaged the coming of the
hnmily. It was the only house of any
protension near, and was the tangible
evidence Of the great financial success
which had been won by this one of the
tuWn boys Of the previous generation,
Who had left his early home and taken
hb chances in one of the worlds great
mATts. ..|
The battle of life had left Squire Mel
VILE cold, hard and purseproud, and
With enough pride Of another kind to
mako him take pleasure in exhibiting
his glory to the eyes Of his old associ-
stes.
He had . meek and invalid wife,
uAnse fortune had been the stepping
sbune to his prosperity, and a son and
dsnghter, who were well liked in Snow
dsn.
The latter was engaged to California
uabob's son, and 80 was of more conse-
qnsnce In her gratifed fathers eyes than
- had ever been before. But the son,
0sand whose future every ambitious
hape Of his worldly father centered, had
then in love, With pretty Lefty Ely,
nd the fact had but just come to that
disappointed fathers knowledge.
: "John Melville" he had said, "you
axe q driveling idiot. Do you suppose l
am going to see the fortune have spent
NJ life and health in getting poured
into the lap of a beggar, a scrub, dairy
woman9 A low creature like the serv-
0ts in my kitchen" s4 .t'
There was storm of angry words be-
tween them, for no man could listen
calmly to abuse of his loved one. Then
the older man, more polite than the
younger, forced his tongue to mildness
that found no echo in his heart, and
t5ed a pathetic appeal to his son, beg
ging him, for his sake, to surrender his
oeeting fancy, but threats and entreaties
had no effect. Raging with anger, the
son flung himself out of the home, fol-
tuwed by the wrathful insults of his
ekxher. a-eia-1 q,
In the vine arched doorway of the lit
u cottage, Lefty stood with her flower
Ike face lifted as her eyes looked
dreamily into the blue glory of the sum
mef sky. Roses massed themselves
shove her, delicate sprays heavy with
6aoom waved about her, and clim bing
vine of the York and Lancaster wreathed
The pillars that upheld the roof. There
were roses on both sides of her, and in
the pink perfection of her setting she
was the loveliest flower of all.
"My Rose of Summer" whispered
lack Melville, swinging himself over the
low rail and stealing an arm around her
shght waist.
"You are worth fighting for" he con-
inued, as they stepped together into the
little house.
Fighting Jack?"
YES, my precious, have just had a
cattle royal with my father" and he
flushed as he remembered the scoffing
sights which had been heaped upon his
darling. t
Lefty grew pale and wept as Jack
gave her an extended account of the
stormy interview which had left its
traces on his words and looks. When he
finished he saw look of severe resolu-
hon in her lovely face that astonished
nim. He bent to kiss the red lips that a
few moments before had worn such ten
der curves, but she turned her head
away. -ee. rka g
Listen, jack" she said solemnly, 81
VIII never never, never marry man
whose father refuses to welcome me-"
Lefty" he exclaimed, sis your pride
more to you than your love? Don't you
know that l can make you happy far
away from all thisy"
"You will not be happy if you dis
obey your father, and if you are un-
happy l shall be wretched."
Pleadings and protestations, although
her own heart echoed them all. failed to