Beulah - Page 228/348

Her burning yet sunken eyes ran over the group.

Eugene sprang up and left the room; Antoinette put her embroidered

handkerchief to dry eyes; Mrs. Graham looked distressed; and her

husband wiped his spectacles. But the mist was in his eyes, and

presently large drops fell over his cheeks as he looked at the face

and form of his only child.

Cornelia saw his emotion; the great floodgate of her heart seemed

suddenly lifted. She passed her white fingers over his gray hair,

and murmured brokenly: "My father--my father! I have been a care and a sorrow to you all my

life; I am very wayward and exacting, but bear with your poor child;

my days are numbered. Father, when my proud head lies low in the

silent grave, then give others my place."

He took her in his arms and kissed her hollow cheek, saying

tenderly: "My darling, you break my heart. Have you ever been denied a wish?

What is there that I can do to make you happy?"

"Give Eugene a house of his own, and let me be at peace in my home.

Will you do this for me?"

"Yes."

"Thank you, my father."

Disengaging his clasping arm, she left them.

A few days after the party at her house, Mrs. Asbury returned home

from a visit to the asylum (of which she had recently been elected a

manager). In passing the parlor door she heard suppressed voices,

looked in, and, perceiving Mr. Vincent seated near Georgia, retired,

without speaking, to her own room. Securing the door, she sank on

her knees, and besought an all-wise God to direct and aid her in her

course of duty. The time had arrived when she must hazard everything

to save her child from an ill-fated marriage; and though the

mother's heart bled she was firm in her resolve. When Mr. Vincent

took leave, and Georgia had returned to her room, Mrs. Asbury sought

her. She found her moody and disposed to evade her questions.

Passing her arm round her, she said very gently: "My dear child, let there be perfect confidence between us. Am I not

more interested in your happiness than anyone else? My child, what

has estranged you of late?"

Georgia made no reply.

"What, but my love for you and anxiety for your happiness, could

induce me to object to your receiving Mr. Vincent's attentions?"

"You are prejudiced against him, and always were!"

"I judge the young man only from his conduct. You know--you are

obliged to know, that he is recklessly dissipated, selfish, and

immoral."