Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-07-26


I went to my room and bolted the
door. Presently Aunt Helen knocked,
but declined to let her in. / felt griev-
ously wronged. Ny father had trampled
upen the most sacred sentiments OF my
soul. He had spurned and insulted the
man I loved. What proofs had he OF
the charges he had brought? Dissipa-
ton, 1t could not be. l surely would
have discovered this long ago il it had
been true. Mercenary! Could he be
called mercenary whom high sense OF
honor had forbidden to assist me In the
investment Of my property? Good for
nothingl All, my father did not know
the noble impulses that underlay Roger
Dalc's transformations manner!
I do not know how long it was before
Aunt Helen knocked second time aud
said that my father had sent for me.
1t was probably not more than half an
hour, but it had seemed to me an eter-
nifty. | was waiting for the summons,
with the box containing my securities
beside me; and with this in my hands |
confronted my father once more in the
parlor.
He was no longer vlsibly angry. Both
he and Roger were smoking and sitting
at ease as | entered. / took chair
close by my lovers side and looked at
him fondly. He returned my glance,
but there was shadow OF annoyance
in his expression that made me feel UNI
easy. 1t brought to my mind his face
as | had noticed it the previous evening
when he spoke Of my fathers prejudice
against him.
At last my father saw ct to begin.
He spoke in a deliberate, business.ike
tone, free from passion. Il have sent
for you, Virginia, to repeat to you what
have already said TO Mr.. Dale. Once
and for all l will never give my consent
to your marriage. l am utterly and
radically opposed to 1t. have been
from the first, as you are aware. Ii
YOU ask for my reasons, do not con-
slider this gentleman fitted TO be my SON.
in-law. He has, on his own admission,
no means to support wife; he has no
ambition or desire to excel, and know
from positive evidence that his habits
are by no means exemplary"
BE paused, and l glanced aDxiously
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 l warn you that my resolution Is
fixed, and cannot be shaken. Do not
hope, either Of you, by nursing the az
fair along to overcome my objections
later. That is a iavorite OF young peo-
pie In novels, but IL fathers In real life
are so weak In general, shall prove On
exception. As you know, Virginia, the
part OF tyrannical pareut is the last /
ever expected to be called on to play.
have allowed you every indulgence,
and trusted you 70 an extent that an
beginning to believe was unwise, but
will not waste time in words; my reso-
luton is perfectly explicit. Ny will Is
made In your favor. II l should die
to-day you would be mistress OF all
my 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, bat 1t IS only intended
to show to the fullest extent In my
power how fatal TO your happiness l
consider this union would be. l can say