Year: 1875

DR.. Wardlaw proved himself a man of his
word. How it all got arranged I scarcely
knew-some letters passed between him and
my father, of which did not see the contents.
Then he wrote to me, asking if / could not
fix day early in November for our marriage,
and then l cast myself upon aunt Mabel tor
counsel, and somehow before had had time
to realize what we were all about, l found
that I was to be married on the fifteenth Of
November; little less than two months from
the time that he had first spoken to me about it..


All this time papa never said word on
the subject which lay so near my heart and
at last felt as if must break this barrier of
silence, no matter at what cost. I chose a
quiet hour one evening when there was no fear
Of interruption, and approached my task in
fear and trembling, though with the resolve
to accomplish it somehow. / brought low
chair to his side, and leaned my head against
his arm, inviting caress. 1t did not come at
first; but presently his hand touched my
brow, and softly smoothed back my hair, as
in the olden time. My heart swelled, and
though tried to restrain them, the tears at
length burst forth.


daughter" said papa, gently, "why do
you cry?" -


because cannot help it," I sobbed. 81
want to feel that you love me just as much as
ever"


"And do 1 mott" he rejoined, in tone
which was carefully calm and collected.
"Have given any proof to the contrary'"


"You don't look at me or speak to me as
you used to do; you seem to keep me at a dis
tance."


"Nay, child; it is not 1, but circumstances
which seem to create an estrangement between
US. But Rosy, there is no estrangement. |
love you no less than have always done. l
could scarcely love you more"


was little comtorted by this, but not sat
isfcd.


"Papa, if you would only let me talk to
you sometimes about-about-"


"About your marriage" said my father, in
a grave tone. "Is that whatyou wish to say p


"Yes-oh papa, it seems so hard to feel
that am cutting myself off from your sym.
pathy, just where need it most-so hard
never to have one word ofcounsel from YOU
never one wish for my happiness nothing to
show that you feel an interest in my future
lfe-nobody to talk to me or advise me but
aunt Mabel. 1t has always been so different
in everything else, all my life!"


l felt his hand tremble, and he paused be-
fore he replied.


"Rosy," he said, at length, "it would have
been wiser in you not to broach this subject
again. had hoped we had done with all
discussion of it, now and forever. You have
made your choice, which l trust may prove a
wise one, and have offered no opposition to
it. l feel that have no right to stand in the
way Of your happiness, and therefore refrain
from exercising the authority by which l
might, if l chose, keep you with me for three
years, or nearly three years, longer. l do
not choose to have you regard me as a tyrant,
or cruel, hard-hearted, selfish father. do
wish, most sincerely, that you may find all the
happiness you expect in your married life !;
and as far as my estimate Of Dr. Wardlaw's
character goes, see no reason to apprehend
that you will be disappointed. Beyond this,
I cannot 90. We are all differently constitu-
ted, and we cannot change the nature God
has given US. No doubt, am peculiar per-
son but being 80, you must excuse my pecu-
liarities, which will remain with me till die.
You and l have lived together almost as one,
in heart, in word, in deed. Iaccepted you as
your dead mothers representative, and re-
ceived you into the sacred place had given
her in my heart. When that is once more
left vacant, nothing on earth can ever fill it
again. Often when counseled to marry a