Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-08-13
Rockerton's Sweetheart.

trails" but he still amused himself by
dealing now and again to the extent
of 81 100000 or 50, although for gen
eral business he had practically retired
from Change. He was widower
with an only daughter, Miss Phyllis
Monrough, aged twenty-af fine, hand
some blonde, who had taken up the
study of science.
Phillis had, of course, heaps of Of
fers, eligible and otherwise, but she
had not met the man whom she cared
to marry, and, at her urgent desire,
her father had sent her to college to
enable her to pursue her studies.
She went to the college with mind
fully made up to devote her life to
science and to abjure matrimony. In
fact, as she herself put it, she had
locked up her heart and thrown the
key away.
But we are told that "Love laughs
at locksmiths, and, in confirmation
thereof, she had not been long at col
lepe when she found herself head over
ears in love with George Stanilaus
Rockerton, who was studying law
there.
Young RockertOn came from good
family, was rich, good looking and In
every way eligible; but when Philhs
wrote to her papa informing him
of her tender passion and asking his
consent to her engagement, she re-
ceived a telegram Che was so urgent
that he would not wait. for the post to
carry his refusaD;
"No. Come home at once.
Phyllis had so rarely been denied
anything that she was angry, aston
ished, dumbfounded, brokenhearted all
at once. No mere words can accurate
" describe her feelings. However,
there was no help for it. She must
obey. And so, after an interview with
her lover, in which they vowed eternal
attachment, she precipitately threw
up her studies and her newly found
hopes of bliss and returned to New
York
Her father received her kindly, but
with firm set countenance, which she
knew from her observation Of his deal
ings with others indicated that his
mind was made up. and that nothing
could alter it. --------------..
She, of course burst into tears to
begin with. But it made no visible
effect on her parent.
"My dear Phyllis he said, "you
cannot imagine how it pains me to be
obliged to run counter to your desires,
but when l have explained matters to
you, hope you will agree with me
and give up the idea of marrying tins
young Rockerton.
when I was lad my father had a
farm out West, the adjoining farm to
which belonged to Ralph RockertOn,
the grandfather of the young man you
have met
a need not 90 into details; it will
suffice for you to know that my father
and old Rockerton had bitter quarrel
and that feud arose between the two
families which can never be healed.
Il would rather see you in your
coffin" he added, mechanically,
ethan see you the wife of one of that
brood"
"But, papa" urged Phyllis, at is
very long time ago, and | don't think
that quarrel between my grandfather
and his grandfather should be any
reason why Geo-I mean Mr.. Rocker
ton-should not be a good husband to
me. He is rich. I've always done as
you've wished, and now, when l feel
that my life's happiness is at stake,
YOU make this stupid objection.
She sobbed afresh, but her tears
were thrown away on her obdurate
parent, so she tried to cross-e1amine
him on the subject of the quarrel
at must have been a very dreadful
quarrel, papa, for you to harbOr re-
venge all these years. Tell me more
about ii. Ifmy life is to be blighted, "
she said, signing deeply, Il should
like to know it
Mr. Monrough felt himself getting
into corner with his daughters wiles
and tears, and he got bit angry.
ut would be of no use" he replied
shortly; 'my mind is irrevOcably
made up. But may say that, as was
common in those days, the quarrel led