San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-08-06
A Romantic Young Lady
BY GEORGE GRANT.


with the box containing my securities
beside me; and with this in my hands l
confronted my father once more in the
parlor.
He was no longer visibly angry. Both
he and Roger were smoking, and sitting
at ease as catered took chair close
by my lovers side, and looked at him
foadly. He returned my glance, but
there was Ii shadow of annoyance in his
expression that made NE feel uneasy
It brought 10 my mind his face as | had
noticed it the previous evening, when he
spoke of my fathers prejudice against
MIN.
At last my father saw fit to begin. He
spoke III deliberate, businessliKe tone,
free ;rCaI passion. Il have sent for you,
Virginia, to repeat to You what | have
already said to Mr.. Dale. Once and for
ali will never give my consent to your
marriage. atu utterly and radically
opposed TO it. have been from the
first. as you are aware. If you ask for
lii" reasons, Il" not consider this gen
'leman fitted to be my sOn-in-law He
support a wife; he has no ambition or
lasire to excel, and | know from positive
evidence that his habits are by no means
exemplary"
He paused, and glanced anxiously at
Roger; but his eyes were fixed on the
floor, and he sat drumming gently on the
table with the fingers of one hand.
IF you persevere in this piece of folly
contrary to my expressed wishes, you do
it, Virginia, at your own peril, for
warn you that my resolution is fixed,
and cannot be shaken. Do not hope,
either of you, by nursing the affair
| along to overcome my objections later.
That is favorite resort of young people
in novels, but if fathers in real life are
so weak in general, shall prove an ex-
ception. AS you know, Virginia, the
part of tyrannical parent is the last
ever expected to be called upon to play.
| have allowed you every indulgence,
and trusted you to an extent that am
beginning to believe was unwise, but
will not waste time in words: my reso-
Intion is perfectly explicit. My will is
made in your favor. If / should die
, s0day you would be mistress of all
ny property. Unless you promise me
not to marry this man, / shall alter it
tomorrow, and neither of you shall ever
receive one cent from me during my
lifetime or at my decease. This sounds
like threat, but it is only intended
to show to the fullest extent in my
power how fatal to your happiness
consider this union would be. can say
no more than this. | cannot prevent
you from marrying Mr.. Dale if you are
bent upon it. There are no laws to pun
lsh foolish women or mercenary men,
but you must take the consequences.
What you have i'll that box" he con-
tinued nOdding toward me, lis all you
will ever receive at my hands. If | am
not mistaken, this young gentleman
would play ducks-and-drakes with that
III very short time. | have said my
say, and now you can suit yourselves"
had listened to his words with con-
Stantly increasing Indignation that over
Swallowed the remorse felt at having
disappointed his hopes. Soincensed was
at his aSpersions of Roger that almost
laughed when he spoke of disinheriting
me. But the taunt that Roger was
counting me for my money was most
calling of all by very force of reitera-
ton. | started to my feet once more
with defiant air.
1T is not true. You misjudge Mr..
Dale cruelty. To show you, father, how
free our love is from the base and paltry
motives you impute. and that we do not
need your help, see therev'
| rushed through the open window
which led to the piazza, and before either
my father or Roger OWNED my inten-
5iOn hurled with all my might the box
of securities over the railing into the sea
beneath. 1t opened just before reaching
the water, and the contents were sub
merged by the seething surf.
re-entered the parlOr with a tri-
umphant air Rogers face wore half
scared look as he began to realize what
| had done.
Mad girl cried my father with
sheer. Mr. Dale will not thank you
for that, fancy. You have, however,
done me an infinite service" He turned
and left the room.
When he was gone, exhausted and
unnerved, buried my face on Rogers
shoulder and sobbed bitterly He tried
to soothe me, and finally induced me to
sit down. He sat beside me, holding
my hand and urging me to calm myself
At last turned to him and said with
sudden transport of new happiness, and
smiling through my tears:
II promised to remain true to you,
Roger, and have"
L