The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-08-24

Mr.. Mitchell, 1 have little sympalny
with women who so far degrade them
selves as to elope. There must be
something radically wrong in a girl
who would do SO. Why. as much as
love my daughter here I firmly believe
that Were she to attempt such a thing
would
i s'No, no, mother! Don't say any
more. You do not know what you are
saying. Mother, mother, love you!"
! This interruption was a surprise to
Mrs. Van Cortlandt, who could not
imagine why Perdita should thus cry
out and then rush across to her, throw
ing herself at her feet, hiding her head
on her shoulders and weeping bitterly.
"Perdita, my child" said Mrs. Van
! Cortlandt, sswhat does this mean?
Surely you cannot
| She stopped, appalled, at the idea
which was forced upon her.
| Mrs. Mitchell, sitting beside Perdita
during Mrs. Van Cortlandt's arguments
against Opponents, had readily COM
pretended how the words must affect
Perdita. Deeply sympathizing with
the young girl, she took her hand
, within her own and pressed it tender
! y, noting that it trembled greatly in
, evidence of the nervous tension under
which Perdita was endeavoring to con-
troll herself. Therefore, when the eli
max came, with that finesse which her
husband so much admired, she said:
"Poor dear! Perhaps she is tired out
Come, Roy! Take me into the con-
/ servatory. so much desire to see
Mrs. Van Cortlandt's Orchids"
Mr.. Mitchell quickly OWNED his
wife's intention and responded instant
" to her proposal. Thus Colonel Pay
ton was left alone with Mrs. Van Cort-
landt and Perdita 1t was trying
moment for him, and it caused him
acute pain to witness the suffering of
his own child and to know not only
that he could not claim parents
privilege, but that it was from his own
abandonment of this girl that the>pres-
ent scene had been made possible. Yet,
if not as her father, surely as an old
friend, he might offer her words of
sympathy. Therefore he raised her
tenderly and spoke to her.
"What is it, Perdita? Why do you
weep? Has some one injured you?
Has some one been tempting you to
forget your mother that you should
be so moved by her words? Speak to
us. Perdita. Tell us all about your
trouble. What is it, my dear?"
Perdita looked up at him for a mo-
ment and endeavored to speak, but
suddenly again burst into tears and,
turning from them both, ran out Of
the room. Mrs. Van Cortlandt look
ed after her wonderingly, not yet COM
pretending all that had happened, and
then she said in low tone:
"Poor child! wish that her father
were alive"
The colonel was deeply affected by
these words, and, leaning over Mrs.
Van Cortlandt's chair, he hoarsely
whispered:
81 will be father to her tiff you
will allow mel"
+ Then, as though fearing that he had
spoken too clearly, he also left the
room. But he went in search Of Per-
dita. He knew the house we'll and
readily found Perdita's room and Per-
dita herself lying across her bed pour
ing out her heartache in passionate
weeping.
Twenty minutes later he descended
to the parlors again and made a sign
to Mr.. Mitchell that he would like to
leave Immediately. So adieus were
said, and the visitors departed.
On the street MI. Mitchell said:
"Well:"
And Colonel Payton replied:
81 do not understand it all yet But
she asked me to send this telegram for
her. Perhaps you will know what it
MEANS
Nh Mitchell took the bit of paper and
read merely the address of Matthew
Mora, followed by:
bon voyagew
"Yes, understand" said he. 81 will
send this myself, colonel"