Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-01-28
ROCKERTON'S LOVE.

now and again to the extent of one mil
lion dollars or so, although for gen.
eral business he had practically re-
tired from Change. He was a wild
over, with an only daughter, Dora
Munro, aged twenty-a fine, hand
some blonde, who had taken up the
study of science.
Dora had, Of course, heaps of offers,
eligible and otherwise, but she had not
met the man whom she cared to mar
ry, and, at her urgent desire, her faith
Ell had sent her to Harvard to enable
her to pursue her studies.
She went to the university with a
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 away
the key.
But we are told that Love laughs
at locksmiths," and, in confirmation
thereof, she had not been long at Har-
ward when she found herself head over
ears in love with George Stanislaus
Rockerton, who was studying law
there.
Young Rockerton came from a good
family, was rich, good-looking, and in
every way eligible; but when Dora
wrote to her papa informing him of her
tender passion and asking his consent
to her engagement, she received tele-
gram (he was so urgent that he would
not wait for the post to carry his re-
| fusaD:-
! NO. Come home at once"
| Her father received her kindly, but
with firm-set countenance, which
she knew from her observation of his
dealings with others indicated that his
mind was made up, and that nothing
could alter it.
| She, of course, burst into tears to be-
gin with; but that had no visible eff
feet on her parent.
MY dear Dora" he said, "you can
not imagine how it pains me to be
obliged to run counter to your desires,
| but when | have explained matters to
you | hope you will agree with me and
| give up the idea Of marrying this
young Rockerton.
| when l was lad my father had
farm out West, the adjoining farm to
which belonged to Ralph Rockerton,
the grandfather of the young man you
have met. l need not 60 into details;
it will suffice 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
81 would rather see you in your cof-
iin," he added melodramatically, than
see you the wife of one of that brood"
But, papa" urged Dora, "it is
very long time ago, and l don't think
that quarrel between my grandfather
and his grandfather should be any rea-
son why Geo-I mean Mr.. Rockerton
should not be a good husband to me.
| He is rich. l have always done as
you have wished, and now, when l
feel that my lifes happiness is at
stake you make this stupid objection"
'It must have been a very dreadful
quarrel papa, for you to harbor re-
venge all these years. Tell me more
about it. If my life is to be blighted,"
she said, signing deeply, II should like
to know why"
at was about stream, my dear,
which ran between the two estates.
Old Rockerton insisted that the water
was all on his land, whereas it was the
boundary, and we had the right ON one
side of the stream and he ON the other.
But it really distresses me to think Of
that dreadful time when for two whole
years walked about with my life in
my hand, so to speak. l beg you will
say no more on the subject"
well, just one question, papa"
asked Dora, with an eye to future con-
tingencies. WAS any one killed."
mo. No one was killed, but your
grandfather was shot in the arm, and
l can never forgive them-never-
neverw
Her father then insisted on her prom
isDg him that she would never marry
without his consent, which she did
readily enough, but she saw it was use
less arguing with him any further and
for the time the matter ended.
1t soon became evident to Mr.. Mum
ro that Dora was really fretting and
making herself i'll about that con-
founded fellow, Rockerton," as he
said to himself. He was man Of
action and determined to give her a
thorough change.
Dora, my girl" he said the next
morning at breakfast, "how would
you like to go to England for bit?"
"Oh, papa!" she exclaimed, with the
most brilliant look on her face that he
had seen there for long time. "That
would be delightful! You know I've al
ways wanted to go across and see the
Old World. But can you spare the
timer
well, no, my girl, can't just now,"
he replied. II am obliged to remain
here for a time as have n specula-
ton on which requires my presence on
the spot, but Mrs. Laking is going over
by the next Cunarder, and she would
chaperone you to your uncle's in Man
chester, where you could stay and
| amuse yourself till | arrived. which