Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-01-08
A FATHERS SECRET.

- MILY VANE sat In the drawing
room window which overlooked
- the sea and the Cleveland hills,
but she saw neither sea nor hills. She
and her father, with the servants, had
been now some five weeks at Saltburn,
tl large house which Mr.. Vane had
rented for the summer. Henry Vane.
Esq, owned a good-sized mansion in
Belgravia, where he had lived for the
past eight years during the London sea
son, and an estate near Nottingham,
amid picturesque scenery, where he
generally resided when not In London.
Each summer, however, he rented his
house at Saltburn; for not only Emily,
but himself too, was charmed with the
quiet, beautiful Yorkshire watering
place. From all of which 1t will be at
once surmised that Henry Vane, Esq,
was a man of wealth.
His money had been acquired abroad.
and though of his family nothing or
little was known in society, he was
well received by some excellent houses;
for even a titled person does not care
lightly to offend one whose income is
100000.
Emily Vane saw neither sea nor hills.
Her thoughts were wholly occupied
by two letters in front of her. Both
had come that morning, and both were
proposals for her hand. The first of
them was from the Earl of Seacroft
who for some time had been paying
Miss Vane noticeable attentions. and
who, both as regarded personal quail
ties and position, was indeed no bad
match for any English maiden. He
was yet young and fairly wealthy. and
for some months-in fact, since Emily
had "come out'-had been a victim to
her beauty and charms. She admitted
TO herself thatLord Seacrofts proposal
was not one to be lightly set aside.
The other letter was from Mr.. Hn-
bert Wells. Emily had met him about
six months ago, at country house,
since which time he had been her de-
voted admirer. She frankly confessed
to herself that she liked him, that she
liked his society, that she knew that
he loved her. But Hubert Wells was
not rich. and had no particular posi-
tion. He had only about f4OO a year.
left him to live upon.
Emily Nane still sat, looking first at
this proposal, then at that. She had
for the past week or two, expected
both, and SO unsettled and doubtful
was she that she had given neither
suitor any chance of proposing person.
ally. But now it had come-both on
one morning! The ordeal had to be
faced; the decision to be made! Her
pride, her love for her father, her wish
10 raise the name OF Nane, said Sea
croft" yet there was small voice un-
derneath which whispered, Hubert" "
In her perplexity she picked Up the
letters, and went to see her father in
his study Emily Vane's mother had
died at her birth; her father was her
closest confidant. AS Emily entered
he rose up and kissed her lovingly,
then. smoothing her hair, said, quietly
(which OF the two is 1t to be, lover
The Beautiful girl gazed at him with
eyes htlf dimmed with tears, as she
answered, blushingly:
Whichever my papa likes! He al
ways chooses for the best"
well, my dear, suppose should say
Lord Seacroft? l have always wished
such n husband for you-dded, yet
noble in natures best way"
Yes, papa
yet l like this Mr.. Wells"
Emily's heart beat a shade quicker.
He cannot give you what the Earl
of Seacroft can, and what 1 have so
often pictured you; and yet-and yet
he is his fathers son!'
The girl gazed. half in fear and as
tonishment, for her father WAS as pale
As death. and shook visibly.
What IS 1t, papa" she said
"Slt down. my love-" replied Mr..
Vane 1T has only come, as felt GER
tain some day 1t would. God has
brought 1t out in his time. I must tell
you now. Don't be afraid, Emily. 1t
Is the secret of my life which I've hid
den for thirty-five years: now you must
share 1t. | feel | should not be doing
right If let you choose to-day without
telling you of it. When you have heard
my story you must choose for yourself,
and be assured your choice, whichever
Ii is. will please me. As for what you
Will near. IL VIII remain your secret
and mine: shall keep it as before, and
/ must beg OF you to do the same all
your life, even from your husband
III.
Emily sat in doubt and fear, sure
that the kind father who had so loved
her would not tell anything to distress
her. If he could help it; an ct anx-
i,uS ~ 10 what Such an 8f1.A secret