The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-08-07


courage scarcely month ago?
We parted Just after midnight. NV
aunt was sitting up for me, and burst
into the room in great Excitement.
''Oh, Aunt Helen, am engaged, am
engaged! am SO happyl"
MY darling childI'
We wept in each others arms.
He is so noble, aunty; SO good and
kind?
"God grant he may continue sol" she /
said, stroking my hair.
| gave vent to my ecstacy in talk.
While ratified on she sat drying her
eyes and looking at me with half fond,
half uneasy expression Now and again
she sobbed Historically. At last she ex-
claimed. What will your father say?"
we will think of that tomorrow,
said Il mean to be perfectly happy to-
night.
You viii have to write to him of
course.
I'VE have decided on nothing yet"
'Oh, Virginia, am all in a futter.
What will he say? He is sure to blame
me, and heaven knows | acted for what
seemed to me the best.
1T was the best, dear Aunt Helen.
Can't you see how happy | am? When
Roger and are married you shall come
and live with Us always, and have the
best room in the house; for if it hadn't
been for you might never have known
what it is to be loved by the noblest man
in the world"
It was long time before fell asleep.
[ was aroused in themorning by knock
at my door. 1t was Aunt Helen
Let me in" she said mysteriously.
well" said |, when had risen and
admitted her. what is it? What has
happened?'
Your father has just arrived He is
down stairs"
Father
Yes. He knows nothing, of course.
have scarcely slept a wink all night,
Virginia. feel dreadfully nervous
What will he say?"
| got back into bed and drew the
clothes up to my chin in an affectation
of composure. But was overwhelmed
by the news. His opposition seemed a
much more serious consideration than
when regarded by moonlight. A visit
from him at any other time would not
have been a surprise, for he had said he
should run down to Tinker's Reach at
his first leisure moment.
Ny aunt stood at the foot of the bed,
watching my face and expecting me to
speak.
What do you mean to do about it?''
she asked.
Tell him." | replied.
II suppose you might put it off until
| you return to town, especially # You
would make up your mind to see very
little of Mr.. Dale in the meantime"
mo. 1t is best to have 1t over and
done with want it settled now and
forever" felt my courage hardening
well, heaven bless you, child!' she
said, kissing me. "You must admit,
Virginia, that l have warned You all
along that your father was opposed to
Mr. Dale.
1T is not your fault in any way, Aunt
Helen. | shall tell him So"
She left use, and | dressed deliberate
ly. There was evidently no escape from
the situation. But upon one point :
was perfectly decided nothing sb .d11ll
induce me to give up Roger. L wa
ready to postpone our wedding for tn
present, or to humor my fathers obiec
tons in any reasonable way But re
nounce him, never, Having arrived a
this determination I went down stairs
Ny father was eating his. breakfast, an
[ waited until he was comfortably sci
tied with cigar on thesofa before max
ing my confession. Aunt Helen ha
taken the precaution to absent hersel
from the room. began bravely:
Father, there is something wish t
tell you that interests me very deeply.
He removed the cigar, and looked a
me inquiringly | saw he did not sus
pect the truth.
am engaged to be married to Mr.
Roger Dale. You must not be angry
father" continued hastily. You can
not help liking him when you know hin
better. He IS worthy of me in every
way"
ventured to look at him; he wa:
smoking with quick, nervous puffs thai
beJokened great excitement
''Bah!" he cried presently. Bah
what fool have baenl [ might have
known it would end in some such way
as this No girl ever had a better Cd
portunity than you, and yet you arr
ready to sacrifice everything for the sake
OF fellow who is no more fit to be your
husband than the veriest beggar in tbs
street You have disappointed me ter
ribly, Virginia. | believed you to be
sensible and clever; but the admission
you have just made proves you to be lit
tie short of goose Bah! you couldn't
have chosen worse. A dissipated, mer-
cenary good for nothing!"
you must not speak in that way of
Roger, father. | cannot sit here and let
him be abused. Scold me as much as
you please, but don't say ANYTHING
against him You. do not understand
him"
Understand him, indeed! It is you
who do not understand him. | never
expected that daughter of mine would
fall IN love with BARRIERS block.
This was too much for nv endurance
You are unjust" | cried, with flashing
eyes. 1t is too late to talk SO. We
love each other, and if my own father