Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-10-14

Have mercy upon nae, fatherl''cried
Lena, as she threw her arms around his
neck. Leave the choice Of husband
10 me! feel that this engagement you
nave made Will cause my death II 1t be
fulfilled"
"Nonsensel One does not die so cas-
ly," said her father, as he led her to
Lhe sofa. Your mother made the
ssme declaration to her father when he
promised her hand to me; and she did
not die, but lived happily for ten years
AitPrwerd."
''Happilyi" said Lena, as she
yazed at her mothers picture upon
.he wall, ~ never saw her laugh in my
ifel''
"ls laughter an indication of happi-
lessY' asked her father, harshly,
Il do not think that you ever saw
your mother 1Oeep either; she was al
ways calm and cheerful"
"Yss," sighed Lena, cher heart was
ong since dead, while she still
Ived."
That is all foolishness." said her
Iather angrily, as he walked with rapid
strides up and down the room. "You
women are always thinking and talking
about your hearts and your lore 1t is
only the weakness of your Sex that
causes 1t to be so, and | must tell you,
Lena, that I do not believe In such
NOcus-pocus; l have never yet known a
w"man to die for love
Ii two persons, of suitable age, Rave
1 desire to make each other happy, and
he parents apI rove. that marriage Will
III nine cases out of ten prove not to be
Ifailnre; but if they think of nothing
Ont lore, they are apt to find them
selves mistaken. And what is this So
called LoveP 1t is like an opium dream
"a short sleep of pleasure-out of
which one wakes with a heavy feel
ing of depression. The poet says that
It is
An hour of bliss, an age OF palm
1 do not believe at all in first and
only love-"
Poor mother - said Lena, with
deep sigh, while she gazed still upon her
picture, that seemed to look down upon
Der lovingly, with eyes filed with un-
shed tears.
"Why do you say Poor Mother in
that beart-broken tone, l should like to
knOwP"
"she was certainly not your first
love-" said Lena.
Herr Heiloron laughed aloud upon
hearing this. "Spare me, at least,
that foolish imputation," he said. ~
married your mother because she plea4ed
me; she was as good grl as many an
other, and brought me a handsome
fortune besides.''
And did my mother love anoth-
err"
"Yes; so she told me when 1 asked
her TO marry me, but her father knew
that | would make her tho better hus-
band OF the two, aud paid no attention
TO her girllsh nonsense. He told her to
get ready TO marry me, and she did.
And now, Lena, do not wish to hear
any more about dying. l have told you
that you must marry young Kleeman.
have pledged my word to his father,
that the wedding shall take place in
eight days, and l shall not break it.
Old Kleeman ls very anxious for the
match and he Is rich man. The young
man loves you, Lena. What more do
you wantP He has borne with your
foolish treatment very patiently, as you
must know"
70, father, know all that Is true,
but cannot marry a man whom L do |
not lovel l should blush for myself |
were l willing to be sold to Kleeman,
because he wished to purchase me, and |
will not deceive him by feigning a |
love that l can never fee. /"
That is not necessary" interrupted |
her father. "You need not love him,
as you call 1t, only be true TO your mar |
riage vows. You must respect Klee- |
man and know that he will make you |
good husband"
1T is impossible for me to be true to |
him when the image Of another is in
1elIbly craven upon my heart,'' sobbed
Lena. "Yes, father, l love another
and no power on earth can ever ch ,nge
this undylng affection.''
"HOl Hop said Herr HeiIbron,
And pray l0hO and aOhere is this
'Other?'
Lena's beautiful eyes sank before the |
Keen glance of her fathers and she re-
piled IN tone scarcely above a whisper |
Count Beise,l."
That young officer?" with a rough |
laugh. Have you given your heart
70 pair of Epauletles with a title?
All right, Be a fool as all women
ae."
"Falher, l told you that 1 love him.
never thought ei,her of his rank or
his tltle.n
herr Hebron walked to the win
uow, whisted the tune of love song,
ana drummed an accompaniment upon
the glass, then turning toward his
laughter said sharply: ''And this
cdPe-grace Of Count P"
Loces me as much as | love him."
And why has he not come to me
Se.a W ueeiare his love, and ask for your
because he knew that you had
promised Inc to another, and that you
would rather die than break youI
,ho, de is probably very glad to know
mst you hare been pro missed to an
Un U,neL, However, | will think over this
dan', Out do not forget that in eight
O''' 'Dere Will be wedding"
GEI /