avy step came nearer,
bringing to sight a tall, noble-looking young man, whose face, if less
stern, would have been very handsome.

Without speaking, he clasped her outstretched hand and drew her within
his arms, shaking his head sadly.

"I felt it was so, or you would have come sooner," the maiden said,
resting her head against his shoulder.

"I had little, if any, hope, Susie. I went this last time because you
bade me to."

"What did father say, Frank?"

"Over and over the same old story of having, since your babyhood,
intended you to be the wife of his friend's son. Oh, if I were
wealthier, it would be all right, I know," Frank said, his dark eyes
flashing.

"Don't talk so, dear, please. I do not like to hear you impute a wrong
motive to my father. I will never, never listen for one moment to any
words of love from George Forrester, or any other man but you, Frank.
So you may be sure, if papa will not let me marry you, I will never
marry at all," Susie said, her eyes full of tears, looking up to his.

"Susie, I have made three appeals to your father during the year past;
each time finding him, if possible, more determined to oppose our
happiness. I will _never_ humiliate myself again, and he will _never_
yield. Now what will you do?"

"Wait, hope and pray. I can do nothing more," Susie answered, in a
tearful voice.

"Yes, Susie, darling, you can, and secure our immediate happiness. You
can come with me, be my own true wife, love."

"No--no--_no_. I _can_not. I should not secure our happiness. I should
be miserable, and make you so."

"_Then_ I have nothing more to hope for. He will not give you to me,
and you will not come. Oh, Susie, how can you send me off? You know
you are all the world to me! If I lose you, I lose everything. I am
alone in the world. There are many loved ones to comfort your father,
until he comes to his better nature and calls you back to his heart.
Susie, am I to leave you forever?"

The beautiful dark eyes were looking into his, filled with so much
love. How could she resist?

"No--no. I shall die, if you leave me--never to come again! Oh, what
_am_ I to do? I love you better than my own life, Frank, indeed I do!
But, father--oh, how can I desert him? He loves me more than the
other children. I am the oldest, his first child, and so like what
mother was. That is _why_ he loves me so. And now _she_ has gone, I
_should_ stay--"

"And break your heart and mine, too, Susie?"