Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 October 1885 — She Knew What She Was Doing. [ARTICLE]

She Knew What She Was Doing.

He was President of a railroad, and she bis only daughter, and he had ambitious hopes of her future. One day she came into the magnificent apartment which he called his hqme office!’ and, trembling like a frightened fawn, she laid her soft white arms about his neck and whispered questioningly. “Papa ?” “Yes, child,” he said kindly, for he loved his only daughter. "Papa,” she repeated, “will you be angry if I tell you a secret ?” “I hope not, child. What is it ?” ho tenderly inquired, taking her hands in his, and drawing her aroifed so that he could look into her fair sweet face, so like her mother’s in the dear, dead past. “I am loved. Papa, and I love in return.” “Child.” he cried, startled almost into harshness, “what does this mean ?” “It means just what I have told you, father. lam a woman to the world, though only a child to you, and with a woman’s heart I have done what a woman always does.” “But, child, you should have told me. I have high hopes for you, and have made many plans looking to your future welfare and happiness.” “I couldn’t tell you, father, because, because—” and she hesitated and sobbed. --“Well, because what?” he asked sternly, pushing her from him. “Because, father, I have given my heart to one you and the world would say is beneath me. Father, he is only a man in your employ.” “What? A hired man? A groveling at so much per day? Great heavens, that all my plans should be destroyed and all my hopes blasted because of a foolish girl’s whim! Away fs>m me! away! away, thoughtless girl, ungrateful childl” and, purple with, rage, he rose to his feet,and thundered forth the cruel words. The girl staggered toward the door. “Hold,” he cried, “tell me who this man is? What is he ?” “Spare him. Papa, oh, spare him,” she moaned, “for I love him. He is young in years, but he is the oldest and best conductor on your road.” A change came over the father’s face, the purple clouds faded away, the sunlight of a smile shone through the rifted frowns, and, extending his arms, he exclaimed, joyfully: “My child, my only daughter, loved always, always best, come to your father's bosom and bring a kiss of forgiveness. I was hasty, child. The man you have chosen has been a faithful servant, he has been with us many years, he has bad many opportnnties, and you have done your father a noble service in thus keeping the money in the family.” The wedding took place in two weeks, because the old gentleman was nervous, and thought there might be a chance for the conductor to escape if the affair were postponed.— Merchant. Traveler. -