The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1904-05-20
The
Happy
Meeting.
UUUUUUUUUU
BY Grace Terry.
ATIIEI,r'

ll llllI have touched with pity any
@Ag@ heart capable OF under.
standing 1t. but II had no
effect on the man to whom II was nd.
dressed, aud whose cold eyes were
fixed stcrnly upon that sweet, young
face. from which the harsh decree his
lips had spoken had driven the bright
color and happy smile that had made II
no fair TO look upon.
81 mean what 1 say. Mary; you must
give up all thoughts OF marrying James
Eldridge. a man who has reached the
age OF twenty-three. and never laid up
n dollar. will be no sort Of dependence
for family. suppose he thinks n
marriage with you viii place him be.
yond the necessity for work; but he is
greatly mistaken. ! have earned my
money too hardly to throw II away
upon such rs he"
you do James an injustice, father;
he does no, seek my hand from mer.
cenary motives. With all his faults
and l will not deny that he has such
he has the truest and tendorest heart
that ever beat. l shall never love an.
other man as love him. Bestow your
wealth on whom you viii, but do not,
beseech you. make your only child
90 utterly wretchedr
Enough OF this follyw exclaimed
Mr.. Dane. harshly. "You know what
my will concerning this matter is: and
II only remains FOR you to show wheth-
er you will continue 10 be the dutlful
daughter that you have hitherto been.
You can see James tonight. II you will.
but only to tell him what / tell you
now-that this must be your last inter.
view; that you can never be his wife.
Now go; have more important matters
on hand than listening TO the silly fan.
cles OF a lovesick girl"
Mary arose from her scat and turned
toward the door; but her cheek was
pale, and there was look In her dark
eyes, as they rested upon her fathers
face. that he had never seen there be-
fore.
IL will obey you, father. but remem.
Der that you are booming me TO n
lonely and joyless life. / viii give up
James at your bidding; but, as l can
never love, so viii never marry any
other"
II was with very different feelings
from what she had anticipated that
Mary awaited the approach Of her
lover. But the step Of James was light
and buoyant. and he greeted her with
a proud and happy smile. With her It
was their last interview; with him It
was but the precursor Of many more,
as wen as the happy day that would
make her his own altogether.
But he could not but notice her pale
cheek and troubled look.
what is the natter dearesty Why
do your eyes look into mine with that
.mournful guze3 You surely do not
repent your promise. Let me hear
from those sweet lips again that you
love me-!
IL love you. darling" murmurcd the
fair girl, laying her cheek lovingly TO
his, and speaking In tones. TO which
the sorrow at her heart gave u mourn
ful ana subdulng tenderness.
1T is for the last time" she thought,
as she yielded to his passionate en-.
brace In which she was folded. Then.
with visible effort, she Withdrew her
self from his arms
but l can never be your wife,
James"
"Can never be my wife. Maryw re
peated the young man In a tone OF
sorrowful establishment. What do
you mean? You surely viii not break
your solemn promlse|
"You know 1t was conditional. James.
depending on my fathers sanction. /
did not dream that he would Withhold
It. But he has not only done this. but
forbidden me 10 see you again. So
this Is our last meeting"
"Brt he will relcnt. Mary" pleaded
James. "Ile viii not ruin the happl-
ness OF his only child
"You do not know father, James;
he win never relent; Il Is not IN his ma
ture 20 do this. Il would be wrong
FOR me TO hold out hopes than can never
be realized"
10 was IN vain that the young man
argued, pleaded. and even reproached;