The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-12-10
Clot hiine.
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lou peTSlbt LII lONlu8, dS0iuoe ny
Will, Ralph Denham, about whose origin
know nothing"
And about which care nothing, with
all due respect for you. And again, let
me saw. that we do not love or cease to
love in obedience to any ones will, not
even our own. would be false to my
self and hypocrite to you II prom
ised not to love this man.
Then you give no thought to his an
cestors?"
mo; II they were all living since the
flood, am sure there is not one OF them
/ could love as / do Ralph, or would
care to marry.
You are talking nonsense" said the
Doctor, getting angry as men usually
do when they persist in a debate In
which they are being worsted. Did you
not tell me that you would not marry
Ralph Denham without my CONSENT"
Il did, father"
Then why do you keep on loving
him2"
because, as told you before, could
not help 1t If would. and would not II
could"
This is rank disobedience!" cried the
Doctor, rising.
Il certainly do not intend it as snch,
replied Lea, still calm and firm, adding,
Il never have, and promise now never
to introduce the subject so disagreeable
to YOU
down and pulled his high-back chair
closer to his daughter. -
| Il am listening, father.
Next to the duty owe my Creator.
you are the one object In life for which
/ live"
You forget my mother.
| "Oh,'" replied the Doctor, with much
adroitness, 4she and are one-one and
the same person, as Squire Condit
would say. II 1 could see you well
away, death would be robbed OF all his
terrors."
Il believe what you say.
Now, have husband in my mind;
he Is rich, he must be Of noble family,
and am sure he loves you.
DIR. Hedges stopped and looked at his
daughter, confident that she, with the
curiosity which is said to distinguish
her sex, would ask him who the man
was. But she went on with her sewing,
and seemed as Indifferent as II she had
heard an allusion to the man In the
moon.
The Doctor was perplexed, and he
made up his mind to have her manifest
more interest In the man Of his choice.
do you not know who the gentleman
ls?" he asked.
Il do not.
Don't you want to knowP' more an
grily.
why should II"
Because all the chances are that he
will be your husband" with great We
hemence.
sMy own consent Is essential to my
marriage. But, dear father, why
plague yourself with troubles that ex-
list only In your Imagination. Let us
wait. L will be dutiful, loving and
obedient to you. There is no danger OF
my leaving you 80 long as you and
moyher need me. There. and there
and there" And she came up behind
him, and, throwing her white arms
about his neck, kissed his knotted brow
with every closing word, till the
wrinkles melted and he went out, no
quite sure tt at he had not been making
something Of a fool OF himself.
Five days since Ralph Denham sailed
away in the Wanderer, and repl!
should have come from him In thre'
days.
There has been a fair wind all the
time. either for coming or going, sail
Lieut.. Hedges, addressing his nephew
Valentine Dayton. There can be m
doubt but the captain got up to New
, York the night Of the day he left d ere
, yet there Is no VOID from him.
1T isn't like Ralph 10 write at once,
said Valentine, thoughtfully, adding
But depend upon 1t, he has good ex
, cuse."
.No. there can be no excuse for neg
!, liected duty, unless it be In case o
, strong sickness" said the bluff lieu
tenant.
, But the captain may be sick.
|, mo danger Of that.
! what makes you think 80, Uncl
{ George"
1 Because il ne was to get sick he
I send a post through with all speed t
: tell the officer left in command OF tn
ship.
> But sup posing he was unconscious?
. .Then some one else would do 1t fo
I him. Capt. Ralph Denham is too big
: man to be hid away In New York City
II to which the Goy'nor ordered him, an
h be sick, and US not told OF 1t at once.
8 why, Uncle George. you talk as
a you blamed the Captain"
DO 1, now?"
q you certainly do.
: Then I belle my intentions. tn
4 man as blamed Cap'n Ralph In my con
: p'ny would find himself keel-hauled
no time" said Lieutenant Hedge
d bringing his big brown palm down hea'
h lly on his knee. But I'll tell you, Va
II [ amt been easy since the lad left; he
! in my thoughts by day, and at night
d dream and dream, AID keep on dream
ing bout him.
d @You are nervous suggested Vale
% tine.
h .Nervousl" exclaimed Mr.. Hedge
" who had an idea that nervousness W
IS variety OF sickness brought on
fear. II don't brag, Val, but there
8 them as has known me, man and DC
Y for five and forty years, and even the
+ that didn't like me never dared 20 say
l. was nervous. RI,
ID aYou misunderstood me. unt
l. Ge .rce." said Valentine, and he pl
ceedei to explain the more MODE
It meaning of the word, after which
IN Lieutenant was much Modified
4. yes, lad I'm unstrung, that Is
~ downright truth. and I'd give all
a. share OF the prize money made on
at asst r1u Sc If l saw the Captain conn
ty lup that path. -,
= Mr.. Hedg 3 pointed TO the path LEI
"a LIMO from the veranda on.wh Oh they W
= sir no before Squire Condits door,
- that want down to the toy