The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-12-26

Lily nodded.
well. if ne said so. the stubborn old
ass will assuredly keep mis- word He al
ways does when he has vowed to do some
thing disagreeaole. And so. if l permit this
marriage. l do NOT lose daughter but he
loses a son. ] must think this over, ana
he began to pace the room slowly whlle
Lillian watched him anXiOusly. Her worGs
had indeed given him food for thoG--.t
Surprising he were TO connive at Arthur
marriage with his daughter, would ne not
BE- avengng himself more completely on
his enemy than ne could ever hope 10 do
by any other means2 For years ne nad
been aiming blows at Curtis without much
apparent effect: but now Llly's words had
pointed out weapon with which ne might
deal a mortal wound. Then there was
something that tickled his sense Of humor
| in the idea Of making Curtis MS own eX-
ecutioner; and if he lived to be hundred,
! he was never likely 10 get such another
chance of paying off all old scores IN one
sweeping reckoning Besides, why should
he make his daughter miserable when, by
promoting her happiness, he would also be
satisfying his own craving for revenge? In
short mis- thoughts were almost the same
as Curtis's had been. and they led him TO
precisely the same conclusion.
Lillian" he said at last with majestic
gravity, halting by her sofa, Il do not
want to be harsh or unjust IN any way
| but answer this question honestly. Are you
sure that you are not deceived in your own
feelings that this IS no passing passion;
that, in word, you really and truly love
| this young man?'
Yes" whispered Lily.
And you believe that he is equally
sincere, and equally devoted TO you, eh?'
He says So, replied Lily, almost In
audibly
"Then never" cried Mr.. Grantley, in
burst of noble emotion. never snail it be
said that 1 impeded the course of true
love. Your happiness, my dear must al
ways be by chief consideration, and to
promote It l resign my own wishes and
prejudces without sigh. Besides. l Ike
the lad; 1 always did He is unfortunate
in his father but ne cannot help that
Let US be just, by all means, let US be
just. AS for Mr.. Curtis, if he chooses to
behave like fool, let him. If he does
not consider your feelings, why should
you consider his? Confound his impu-
dence! how dare he attempt to destroy my
daughters happiness? He deserves to be
taught a lesson. 1 give my consent to
this marriage Arthur has a few hun
dreds a year Of his own from his mother,
1 know, as well his profession and for
the rest, your settlement will be more
than sufficient to enable you to live in all
comfort And some day. when l am gone,
you win be mistress here. OF course" he
continued blandly, Il cannot openly en-
courage a son in disobedience to
his parent, however unworthy
of respect that parent may be; but you
are going to your aunt's next month, and
if YOU choose to have a quiet wedding you
have my approval, though l cannot be
present However, I'll make a point of
seeing Arthur during the week, and II
our interview is satisfactory, you may
mat UT own arrangements, about which
l wish TO know nothing. May your future
be bright and unclouded, and may it
never give me cause to regret that IN this
matter l listened to the promptings of my
own warm heart rather than TO the cold
nd COUQG6lS
And Mr. Gantley struck an attitude of
Maternal benignity, chuckling TO himself
the while: This will be a knock-dOwn
blow for Curtis, or I'll eat my hat"
In October the lovers were quietly mar
ried. and after a brief honeymoon they
settled down in a pretty suburban villa.
where they lived very comfortably on the
handsome allowance that Mr.. Curtis gave
Arthur and the substantial settlement Mr..
Grant.ey had made on Lillian. Here they
were occasionally visited by their fathers,
but as the visits were never made con-
currently the enemies never met, and con-
sequently never suspected the trick that
had been played upon them.
Ere .ong, however. the great Fenshire
feud began to anguish. In the first place,
It was discovered that Tinker's Patch, the
chief bone of contention, was really public
ground, and, as a matter of face, had never
belonged to either of the disputants; and
in the second pace, satisfied that they had
=
Curtis were no longer disposed to carry on
the war with their former vigOr. More
over. now that Arthur and Lily were mar
ried. the Old dream of "a ring fence" re-
yived simultaneously in both their bosoms,
and each looked longing.y at the others
property and decided that it would be a
great pity to let 1t go out of the family;
but as each fancied that he had wronged
the other morta-ly, and feared that his adj
vances might be repeLed. neither cared 20
take the first step toward reconciliation.
Still. their cd rancOr was dead, and they
ceased TO attack each other, standing
strictly on the defensive and so, although
peace was not yet proclaimed, an amnesty
had virtually been concluded.
1t had lasted nearly a year when, one
autumn morning, Mr.. Curtis received
telegram announcing that Lily had pre-
sented Arthur with a son and heir. Eager
TO inspect the curiosity. he caught the
London express, and few hours later was
seated in the drawing-room Of the sub
urban villa, waiting for Arthur, who had
gone up stairs to ascertain if the baby
was con view" Suddenly the door was
flung open and servant ushered in Mr..
Grantley, who had also received a tele-
gram and had followed Curtis to town by
the next train. 1t would be difficult to
exaggerate their surprise. For a full min
ute they stood glazing blankly at each
other; but by degrees an idea dawned
upon them, and establishment gave place
10 pleasure.
81 see it ALL thought Grantley His
iron will has been subdued by the news Of
MS grandsOn's birth, and, unable to hold
longer. he has hurried here to crown the
happiness of the youthful couple with his
forgiveness. 1t is a graceful actr'
Il understand" said Curtis to himself.
He has long been relenting, and makes
the joyful news his excuse for yielding
He has come to be reconclled to his
daughter over the cradle of her first-b0rn.
This is really touchiner
They cast a friendly glance on each 9TH
er. and made a hesitating movement with
their hands
And now that he has tacltly confessed
| his fault" unused Grantley, "shall l re-
proach him? Now that he has made the
| only reparation in his power. shall 1 say
a word to mar the harmony of this re-
| union? Never.
mo doubt his conscience has already
sufficiently punished him for his folly"
Curtis continued to himself. And shall
| /, by single word o. reproof, introduce
the element of discOrd on this auspicious
| occasion? Perish the thoughtr'
With one accord they moved to meet
| each other, and their hands, at first timidly
| extended, met in a long and cordial clasp
"Grantley," said Curtis, with impulsive
| frankness, I've been a fool"
Curtis" said Grantley, resolving not to
| be outdone in generosity, 80 have L.
well. they say there's no fool like IN
old one" resumed Curtis. forcing a laugn.
| Let that be my excuse for many an ac-
| ton which I dare not attempt to justify"
Neither of US can crow over the other,
| fear" answered Grantley. with a guilty
hIarEh