The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-01-01

If the sun had suddenly turned to ice,
the solid earth to water, or any other
impossible thing happened. the old war
rior could scarcely have been more COM
pletely astonished than at this speech.
He fairly staggered back as the name
of his daughter was mentioned, and
very gravely said:
Frank Howard, are you serious?
Yes, yes, see you are, but can it be
possible that you have done this thing?"
"Quite possible and wholly delightful,
Mr.. Graydon. ] love Agnes with all my
heart, and she it is-not any Lady
Louisa-who has said yes. come now
expressly to ask you to give her to me. !"
The good mans voice trembled with
intense feeling as he answered:
Crank, my dear, dear boy, there is
no one in all this world to whom
would SO gladly give my child as to you,
but do you not know, have you never
heard Of your fathers plans? He will
never give his consent to your union
with portionless girl, and most of all,
he will naturally suppose that we have
most basely abused his hospitality and
kindness. My innocent girl will be cast
adrift and all our present happy rela-
tions broken up. Oh, how could I have
been SO blind?" Frank sprang from
his saddle and grasping the hand of his
distressed friend. earnestly protested
that he knew nothing of Col. Howard's
intentions in regard to his own future
life, and asked what those plans were
to which he had alluded.
NAY, Frank, said Mr.. Graydon, 'syou
must learn them from your father him
self If he has not chosen to inform
you, it would be manifestly improper
for me to do so."
.sWell, so be it; but am sure
You misjudge my father; he is not
so mercenary as you think. Why
should he not consent to his sons union
with one for whom he himself has re-
gard SO deep, and who, he well knows,
would ennoble and adorn the highest
station on earth? OF this one thing, my
dear friend, you may rest assured, that
Agnes Graydon, and none else, shall be
my wife, though should wait for her
until my hair is gray" And thus, for .
time, they parted. the elder man to in
dulge in gloomy forebodings, and the
sanguine lover, buoyed up by brilliant
hopes. to seek his fathers presence. On
his return to the hall he found Col.
Howard in his private study, and, with
out preface, came at once to the point,
in his own manly fashion.
Father" said he, II have long loved
Agnes Graydoni last night told her so
1. 80 49, rrrrff Cha he a
consented, and now, as in duty bound.
ask for your approval, /"
(Which yon shall never have, sir, re-
piled the thunderstruck colonel; ssWhy,
God bless me, boy, are yeA crazy9 Do
you mean to tell me that you have actu-
ally proposed to your sisters COVER
ness?" 49,.
eyes, father, I do .eil yon that have
done that very thing; and in SO doing
have begged ta share my life young
gentlewoman of most exemplary char
acter, high attainments. illustrions FAM
lily, unexceptionable manners, lofty
principles and extraordinary beauty;
one to whom all who honor the purest
type Of WomaniY virtue and loveliness
might well be proud to bow ip homage;
one who, well fitted to mate with the
highest in the land, has yet been con-
tent t9 hestoW the precious boon Of her
fresh young ioys rpon me, all unworthy
as ami
Col. Howard listened in grim silence
to this leyerrlike Rhapsody, although he
could pot wholly Suppress some signs of
sympathy ana admiration, as he looked
upon the glowing features and heard
the impassso4aa W9rds af his only son.
Finally he said, in the calm, measured
tones Of one accustomed to command
and expecting to be obeyed: Frank,
Miss Graydon is donbtless all that You
say, she is truly ap excellent girl; both
your mother aud I appreciate her fully,
and, indeed, feel under great obliga-
tions for the faithful and judicious man
ner in which she has discharged her du-
ties to us and to your sisters. There
can be no question as to her
entire fitness Tor ANY station 10
which she may be called; the beauties Of
her mind and person are alike remark
able, and if ! had not long ago made
other arrangements for you. it is possi-
sible, just possible, that ! might feel
disposed TO Maiys al conventional con-
siderations and We elcdme heF as o daugh-
ter; but, as matters now stand, this Is
not to be thought Of for moment
Frank would have broken in with
an impetuous protest, but his father
waved him aside, and continued: "I
have made, as now see, . great mis-
take in not informing you oo5 those
plans which T. years ago. thought well
to make il reference to your settlement
in life should certainly have done SO
had ! fak i moment imagined the pos,
sibilitg Qs 4 66hyzd temps like this; apd,'
moreover. / feIt confident that the end
desired to reach would be brought
about by the force OF circumstances and
propinquity, and your own natural and
spontaneous action in the premises.
Long since, when you were q mere
schoolboy, and shortly after our neigh
bor, the countess of Miltptock, came
into poss6ssloh ot her presens property,
she and I made what have always re-
garded as solemn compact. that at the
! proper time the estates Of Linwood and
MillhFaeA botl hs You know. men-
tailed should pc united by your mar
riage with Indy Louisa Grafton, only
chiiu$lnd heiress Of the doWager, As
have previously limited, both her lady