Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-09-25
Her Fathers Victim.
BY THos. P. MoNTFoRT.

Copyright by AN. Kellogg Newspaper Co.
"No, not unless have better rea-,
sons than 1 know at present. But
year or two is long time, Louise, and
we need not consider now what we
will do taen. 1t may not be necessary
for me tn say aye or nay to Paul, for
you may see him differently then. You
may see some one else that may sup
plant him in your heart"
"Oh, mother, that is impossible! No
one can be to me what Paul is. could
not be so ungrateful as to give him
second place in my heart, when he has
been SO good to me-"
The mother smiled again. She was
assured from these last words OF her
daughter, that Louise had mistaken Ter
heart, and that what,she felt to be love
was only gratitude and friendship.
She understood how easily one OF
Louise's age, and oneiplaced as she was,
could deceive herself, and she could not
believe that the child knew her own
heart. For q long time she was silent,
and for u time doubts, fears and misgiv-
ings possessed her. She realized how
easily one Of the girls age and temper
QInGnU could DO dGCc1VcII olIS was
experienced, and knowing nothing of
human nature, Judged oil mankind by
her own standard, and reckoned all
hearts like hers, pure, innocent and
honest. Whether.she really loved Paul
or not, he was her idol, and she looked
up to him as a paragon of perfection,
and was that confident and trustful that
she would not, andcould not, doubt him
In anything.
Such thoughts. as these ran; through
the mothers mind, and she trembled
for the safety Of her child Then she
recalled all she knew of Paul. He
was n man of perfect character, and
in all the years she had known him he
had not been guilty Of an ungentle-
manly act. This review of the young
mans past somewhat treasured her,
and she felt thankful that it was Paul
who held such an influence, over her
daughter. She was far safer with him
than with most men.
SO after considering the matter we'll,
Mary decided to say nor do nothing
to antagonize her daughters senti-
mcnts She remembered only too Wv
idly what the result of such action had
been in her own case, andIshe knew that
young lONcES COulIl l1Ob NC OI1NCh- DIG
realized that harsh measures would
only bring the lovers closer together,
and result in the very thing she was
anxious to avert-a premature mar
rage. So at last, taking Louise's;hand
in her own, she said:
"Do as have told, you, Louise; treat
Paul as kindly rs you can, and remem-
Der him as your best friend, but do not
make him any promises. He knows
you are too young to think of marriage,
and he will not think it hard to leave
you free for year or two longer. You
arc free to keep company with him and
to love him, and when you are year
older, if you want to promise to be his
wife you can do 80 with my consent. I
think have offered fair terms, Louise,
and 1 hope you win consider them
| SUCH"
81 do, mamma, 1 do, and am willing
to do as you say, and I know Paul will
be, too. l will never have any secrets
from you, and never go contrary to
your wishes. Paul and will wait, and
neither of US will think 1t hard, since
you wish it, but nothing, mother, can
part us. Nothing, nothing"
Alas that Louisa's fond hope was
doomed to be blasted, and that one un-
dreamed of should come between her
and Paul-come in way, too, to bring
her tho trying ordeal of her life.