The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-10-08
s gelett Stnrp,
A HARVEST OF BITTERNESS.
Charles E. Branch in Chicago News.

Harold Penstone unless, indeed, it could
have been Grace Ashford. They looked
on the world through lovers eyes and
found it passing fair, the sky, unfected
with a single cloud, never blazer. and never
before had the soft evening song of the
birds sounded sweeter in their ears.
Grace Ashford was graceful of form,
blue eyed and fair haired, with a complex
ion that was blend of red and cream of
roses; a girl with whom any man might
fall in love, as Harold Penstone had done
from that moment, five years before, she
had come to reside under Mrs Terrell 5
motherly care.
Her mother had died when Grace was
Yet a baby, too young to hold any recol-
lection Of the original of the sweet faced
miniature she always wore in locket round
her neck and, until she was II, she lived
under the care Of a nurse and governess at
home with her father, who could never
bear to miss her from his sight
Her seventeenth year was an eventful
one in her life, for it saw the passing away
almost simultaneously Of nurse and COVER
ness, and Immediately afterwards her faith
er went to South America to look after
business interests there
So il came about that she went to take
up her residence with Mrs. Terrell. an old
friend Of the family, until her father should
return, and in the natural order of things
met Harold Penstone, to whom she lost
her heart, for he was 4 true specimen of
manhood, Young and handsome in whose
hand, the girl he loved might safely trust
her happiness
They we're not rich, the Penstoues
nor for that matter was Col Ashford a
man Of great wealth-still, Harold for
tune was sufficient to justify him in asking
Grace to become his wife, as he had done
a few months previously. And she had
consented. subject to the approval Of her
father, whose return was monthly ex-
pected
The day cur story opens he had arrived
10 New York, and on the morrow would
be- with his daughter. That he would put
any obstacle in the way of her marrying
the man she loved she never for moment
dreamed tor had he ever refused her
slightest wish
Il bad been arranged between Grace
and Harold that he was to call and form
ally ask her father ; consent in the early
evening. aud meanwhile she should break
the Ice But after her father ; JOY at see
ing her once more and after his loving words,
j, was task she found harder than she
had anticipated
Il am retiring. Grace, the COLONEL
told her and | hope there are many years
OF happiness before us You must not
continue buried away here any longer.
You must see a little life after all this
time. shall set UP house in New York,
with YOU for hostess Marry again. in
reply 10 biz daughter question Marry
again and he laughed bitterly No,
buried my heart when | buried your
mother dear | have lived, shall live,
only for you.
Thus Harold found the path quite un-
prepared when he called
In any ease it would have been wiser to
have waited awhile ere approaching the
father who had 50 recently found happi-
ness in returning to his daughter But
who in love ever understood the wisdom Of
patience
Harold found Grace with her father
when he vas shown into the drawing room,
and looked somewhat sheepish when the
colonel asked To what he was indebted for
the visit
Il thought Grace would have explain
ed, he answered, and then added frankly
We arranged 1t that way.
The colonel looked mystifed, frs, at his
daughter then a, the uneasy young man who
stood ncryou>ly lingering his watch chain.
Il don understand, he explained.
But >it down perhaps Grace will tell
me
And she did, while her father face
grew white beneath the bronze and his
head sank upon hi. breast
You viii say yes, she pleaded,
Harold loves mel love him
\ thousand thoughts Of reproach rose
TO the colonel mind, as he saw he had
found his daughter but 10 lose her again;
but he uttered never one, for he was
Just old enough 10 recognize that this was
exactly what he should have expected
Al the future he had planned he saw de
Stroyed
Bat | know nothing of this young
man, Grace, he said at length Who
he is what he Is nor even his name
Tie may
MY name, sir, is Harold PenStone
ard
The colonel jumped to his feet and
crossed the room to the young man side
Harold Penstone. he cried looking
keenly into his face. And your father
was Harold Pens,one, eh:'
Yes, sir, he was.
Then, Mr. PenStone, my answer is
no, no. a thousand times Ny daughter
should never marry YOU, even if YOU were
the only man on earth, the colonel thun
dered Il would sooner see her dead,
The change from peace TO passion had
been as instantaneous as it was unexpected.
Grace felt turned to stone, and too sur
prised to cry Harold was pale and as
tonished
lie rose. AT least | may ask why?
he s2id. Il feel there can be no ordinary
reason underlying your refusal given in
such manner,
You had better not ask if you do not
know, was the colonel reply.
But | feel it is only due to me, sir y
You demand it?' the colonel said,
angrily.
IF 50 you choose to call it, | demand
it, here and now
Before my daughter?
There Is nothing | am ashamed she
should know
Then | will tell you-your father was
a thief, sir Is it to the son Of thief
YOU would have me marry my daughter?
For moment Harold could not reply.
He seemed to fail to grasp the full mean
inc Of the colonel's words.
Then he cried suddenly; "'ltis lie.
1T cannot be true, father, Grace
said. tears streaming down her face.
IF your mother has hidden the fact
from YOU | am not to blame, Col. Ash