Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-01-27

| days But that viii only be for Few
more years, and then you will need an
other protector"
Papa, don'tF' said Marcia, her lip be-
| ginning to culver.
Bear with me for a moment, daugh-
| ter. | say this because there is some
thing more to follow. Can you guess
what2 l had talk with Louis while
you were out"
Marcia sat quite still She knew what
was coming now.
"Can't you guess what he wantedT
A little shake Of her head by way Of
reply-nothing more.
HE asked me to give him my precious
daughter
Marcia chung tightly to the arm Of he.
| fathers chair, her face hidden upon 1t,
but still did not speak.
| Presently Squire Douglas went on:
| Louis is a noble fellow. as we all know.
| He Is of irreproachable family cOnnec-
ton, and has wealth, though that IS Of
minor Importance, as you viii have
enough for both"
The upright old gentleman had not the
least idea that two points in his state
ment were entirely untrue. Firstly, Mr..
Louis mobility" was greatly TO be
doubted. And second by far the greater
portion of his fathers wealth, which he
inherited, had been wasted in "riotous
living" which was his main reason for
coveting Marcia's fortune,
But the Squire, believing all he said,
continued: The chief thing is that he
loves you truly Could you be happy
with him, when the old father is gone,
MarciaT'
Marcia arose, seated herself upon her
fathers knee, wound her arms about his
neck, and laying her face closely against
his cheek, she asked; Are you in haste
TO be rid Of me, papa?'
mo, never" answered the old Squire,
quickly elasping her closely But l
shall not be rid of you by this means.
Louis promised that your home should be
here, as long as live, &c least. Instead
of losing a daughter. gain son. When
Louis asks you, as is now waiting 10 do,
what shall you tell him. r
"Oh, papa, why need 1 tell al many
thing? | don't want to be married.
want to stay here always. with you and
Aunt Maddy, just as we are now
She did not include Vance, but the
Squire did not notice tie omission. He
answered, gently: You know that can
not always be, daughter. We are old
you are young. In the natural course Of
events, changes must soon come. The
dearest wish have is to know that
when I die I can leave you safely shell
tered from the snares which are sure TO
be set for young. innocent orphan
heiress."
Papa. viii you tell me your own
wishes? Do you want me to marry Mr..
LIE DruT"
"If your own heart consents, yes,
daughter. I know of no one to whom |
could resign you 80 willingly as to Louis.
used to hope that you and Vance
would fancy each other. and so unite the
old family estate" ooh, how fast Mar
cia's heart was beating and throbbing
now. But the Squire could not see it.
nor hear It, so he calmly went on But
as neither Of you has seemed to think of
that Louis comes next, and seems to
me Ike a son already. But the choice
is left for you. daughter-you must make
the decision yourself"
Marcia kept her face hidden from her
fathers gaze, and answered softly:
IF IL will please you, papa, IL give
my consent"
Il am glad TO hear You say so. Ehope
the decision may prove for your happi-
ness Now so, darling; l promised Louis
10 send you 70 him He is waiting for
you in the back parlor, Go TO him with
your fathers blessing, my child. You
never gave NE an hours grief in your
life, and may heaven bless you. my pre-
cious girl, even as you have blessed your
father"
One close clasp. two or three silent
kisses from Marcia, whose heart was too
full for words, and then she left the IL
brary. Once In the hail. wild, indie
Enable impulse moved Der to fly to her
own room instead of going to the parlor.
"But what is the differoneeI' she ask
ed herself Il only live t. please Papa:
IL this pleuses him. why notf like
/ Louis as well as I could Ike any enc,
I now-I could never love any other than
( than Vance. | will say il ouce | do
( love him-but he will soon marry Flor
/ ence. and then | could not be so wicked
as TO love another woman's husband. II
/ | marry Louis, need never leave papa.
/ Come. | won't break my heart for
anybody! I dare say | shall be as happy
/ as most folks. myself. and il not--well.
1 can trust the God my mother loved,
/ to take care Of me- | have decided
I She had gone to the foot Of the stairs
/ But she turned and went into the par
/ lor. where Louis came eagerly forward
/ to meet her.
/ An hour later she had given him the
/ care OF her future, Bat had she realized
/ all that step implied, she would have
shrunk with horror from his very pres
enee.