The Penn's Grove record., 1896-05-01
GEO. ROCKERTON'S
SWEETHEART.

as n Spectator, principally In rails,
but he still amused himself by dealing
now and again to the extent of 81 .OOO,-
600 or so, although for general business
he had practically retired from change.
He WAS a widower, with an only daugh-
ter. Miss Phyllis Monrough, aged 20
q fine, handsome blonde, who had
taken up the study of science.
Phyllis had. of course, heaps Of offers,
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 Harvard to enable her
to pursue her studies. :
She went to the university with II
mind fully made up to devote her life
to science and to ALLURE matrimony. In
fact, as she herself put 1t, she had lock
ed up her heart and thrown away the
key.
But we are told that love laughs at
locksmiths." and, In confirmation there
of, she had not been long at Harvard
when she found herself head over ears
In love with George Stanislaus Rock
erton, who was studying law there.
Young Rockerton came from n good
family, was rich, good looking, and in
every way eligible; but when Phyllis
wrote to her papa informing him Of her
tender passion and asking his consent
to her engagement, she received a teie-
gram Qhe was so urgent that he would
80 .rnEt g., H.. 1000 70 .u rt ltLr ....
fusaD:
mo. Come home at once"
Phyllis had SC rarely been denied
anything that she was angry, astonish-
ed, ~dumfounded, brokenhearted all at
once. No mere words can accurately
describe her feelings. However, there
was no help for 1t. She must obey.
And so, after an interview with her
lover, In which they vowed eternal at
tachment, she precipltately threw up
her studies and her newly-found hopes
of bliss and returned to New York.
Her father received her kindly. but
with u firm-set countenance, which she
knew from her observations of his
dealings with others indicated that his
mind was made up, and that nothing
could alter II.
She. of course, burst into tears to be-
gin with. But 1t made no visible effect
OIL her parent.
my dear Phyllis" he said, '.you can
not Imagine how 1t pains me to be
obliged TO III counter to your desires,
but when l have explained matters to
you, l hope you will agree with mo
and give up the Idea of marrying this
young Rockerton.
when | was a lad, my father had a
farm out West, the adjoining farm to
which belonged to Ralph Rockerton,
the grandfather of the young man you
hive met.
81 need not go into details; 1t will
suffice for you to know that my father
and old Rockerton had a bitter quarrel,
and that n fcud arose between the two
families which eau never be healed.
II would rather see you In your cot.
fin." he added, mechanically, than
Bee you the wife of one of that brood.
But, papa" urged Phyllis, at is a
very long time ago, and don't think
that a quarrel between my grandfather
and his grandfather should be any rea.
son why Geo-I mean Mr.. Rockerton-
should not be n 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 max,
this stupid objection"
She sobhed afresh, but her tears wer,
thrown away on her obdurate parent
so she tried 10 crOss.cxamine him oil
the subject of the quarrel.
at must have been n very dreadful.
quarrel, papa. for you 10 hRrhor re
yenge all these years. Tell me NOR,
about 1t. II my life is to be blighted,"
bhe said, signing deeply, 81 should like
10 know why"
Mr.. Mnnrough felt himself getting in.
TO a corner with his daughters wiles
and tears, and he got a bit angry.
1T would he of no use," he replied,
shortly; my mind Is i~rrevocabIy made
up. but may say this, as was com.
mon In those days. the quarrel led TO
nghting. and until your grandfather's
death, which happened about two
years afterward, every member of
either family took every opportunity
Of trying TO take the life of some mem
bdA.of the other, After fathers death
we sold the farm and came East, and
70 the enmity ceased actively; but
could never consent Il your marrying
Into the hated family-neverF'
But papa" insisted the girl, what
was it about? What led to the Quar
RELY
1T was about a stream, my dear.
which ran between the two estates.
Old Rockerton insisted that the water
Nas all On his land. whereas IT was the
Boundary. and We had the right on one
kide Of the stream and he on the other,
kut Il really dLigssses me 10 think