Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1891-12-15

way = most desirable sui'pr and one OF
my own best friends Besides, as | was
about TO say momen, ego. my affec-
tions are unalterably nxcd upon Agnes
Gravdon, and to her nv faith is pledged.
All my hopes Of happiness are conferred
in her, and. though | were offered my
choice Of all Eugland's fairest daugh-
tiers. She. or no one, shall be my wife F"
Col Howard, who had hitherto placed
strong restraint upon himself, now
lost all patience, and angrily said.
'Do you dare 20 assert. Frank. that
you are determined to thwart my
wishes. defy my authority, and carry to
its Legitimate conclusion this romantic
fancy, irrespective of duty. self interest
and proper regard 20 the obligations
of your station. as well as "a direct viola
ton OF my so,cmniy pledged wordp
Have You well con. Tered wha, may be
the effect, nay. what ,cU be the certain
result Of your obdUacv' 1, it nothing
that you should c,pou.r penniless
bride and thus ia ore moment destroy
your brilliant prospect, ala sink INTO
an inglorious life Of obscure povertyp
Is IL n light thing foc yOu. the heir of
Linwood. - rsliuqulsh your birthright,
forfeit the love OF v0ur parents and de-
sccnd 10 the Lowell OF the common nerd Of
nObodics. TO whom YOU ought by right
be patron oad lawnivcr''
Father" the vorng man sadly re-
piled. II have thought of these possible
consequences only since Won began 10
spcu,. and. alth3u ~ they appear TO me
A
prepared ~ brave tI'.n ala rather than
sacrifice my honor and Detrav the trust
of the only woman can ever love. and
apart from whom all that this world
can o.icr IN the way Of fame wealth
and rank would be- mere dross in my
eyes. You must c,coilect. sir. that !
knew nothing Of your wishes and can
not therefore be- charged with dIsre-
rardug them hove but exercised the
ilaiienablc right Of NY own manhood
i'm choosilg q wife. and Doth reason and
conscience tcti re shat / have chosen
wisely and we'll Nh.n. some few
weeks AGO attained u tcrul age. did
not on that account cease TO feel for
YOU that difference - which you are en-
titled, not only as ny fathes but also
because If all the love and kindness
with which YOU have ever treated me.
but did yL'Fus'lY C'for declaring my.
self to Miss Gr2ylon uqtil that time had
come when az legal g., we'll a. moral
RIGHT 20 DO - was uuquestionuble. no
earthly reason that could divine. ex-
listing to the contrary do not desire
10 set aside your authority and would
now obey roIr slightest reasonable
wish a. readily as IL were child. but
YOU ask me II do al impossible thing.
one which, in it>,.lf, /, wrong. aud the
doing of which wOIld stamp me as
false, time-srrvilg po.troon, unworthy
to be callel your son. You require me
20 sacrifice not oalv nay own hopes of
happiness, bus, what l., far more, those
of one dclrtr - re than life itself. and
whom neither you nor have right To
immediate on Che altar Of a miserable
expediency % you think, sir, that
riches and broal-sprcading lands can
give content and happiness, or that
even imperial honor, would not be too
dearly bought in exchange forea true
womans love? Wherein my, dear
father. has lain the real joy of your own
life? Has it not been in the companion