LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 557, 31 March 1876, Page 3

LITERATURE.

A JOINT IN THE HARNESS. BY MARIAN NORTHCOTT, AUTHOR OF * TIM twinkleton’s TWINS,’ ETC. ( Concluded .) ‘His name is Roland Dennison, and he is the man who has won your daughter’s affection. ’ ‘ Does he know aught of the misfortunes of his mother’s early marriage ?’ ‘ I never heard him speak of them, nor have I considered it my duty to mention anything of the matter to him.’ * Then he is ignorant that I ever brought sorrow to his mother’s heart ?’

‘He is. ’Twere best, too, he were kept so.’ Jabez Kyte advanced a few paces, and in silent gratitude shook the hand of his visitor. ‘Now,’ Mr Goode continued, ‘why not make some reparation for the evil of years departed, by allowing your daughter to marry the son of her you once professed to love ? Think the matter over. I will not press you for an answer to-day ; indeed, if your mind inclines the way I have endeavoured to lead it, there is no necessi fcy for us to speak on this subject again. In the meantime be assured no word of our interview shall escape my lips.’ With that Mr Goode resumed his overcoat and took his departure. The clerks in the outer office whispered to each other, when their employer departed at a much earlier hour than usual, that the ‘ governor’ looked awfully queer, and their curiosity would have been intensified had they known that, instead of at once taking the train for his suburban retreat as was his wont, he indulged in a brisk and lengthy walk. During that walk he looked neither to the right hand nor to the left, but held commune with himself, thinking of his own joyless life and its selfish sordid aims. After all, Rose was the only earthly creature that loved him, and why should he earn her contempt—perhaps hate—by casting a shadow over her bright hopeful future ? The result of it all was that the seed sown by Mr Goode brought forth pleastant fruit. When on reaching home he observed the paleness of his daughter’s cheek and the sad expression in her eyes, his heart smote him. Taking her to his bosom, and holding her therefor a few seconds, he said, * Rose, I fear I spoke roughly to you last night; if I gave you pain, I am truly sorry. I had, it is true, indulged hopes of a marriage which would have given you a high position in society ; but I have no wish, my child, to control your affections.’ ‘ Dear papa,’ exclaimed Rose, kissing the cold face, which that night seemed to have lost much of its old stern expression, ‘ and you will see Roland Dei n son, won’t you ?’ ‘ Whenever and wherever you please. Invite him to dinner to-morrow if you like. ’ Rose’s soft eyes sparked with joy ; and as she raised her lips once more to her father’s cheek, the sunny curls seemed to skip around her head in a delirium of ecstacy.

It was the pleasantest evening Jabez Kyte had spent for a long time. Rose drew a footstool to his chair, and whilst her hands Avere clasped in his she blushingly told him the story of the rise and progress of her love for Roland Dennison. How she would rather endure poverty with him than share the aflluence of another ; how Roland had often wished to seek her father and acquaint him of the engagement, but how she had restrained him until she thought a specially favourable moment had arrived; and how, in view of a possible change of circumstances, she had, whilst her father was in the City, devoted herself to a study of domestic duties until she had become proficient in many details appertaining to the supervision of a household, Jabez Kyte was so wonderfully interested with the story poured into his ears, that ere he retired to rest he wrote a polite note to Sir Richard Arrabelle declining, on the part of his daughter, the alliance proposed, Roland Dennison came the next day, and, as Mr Goode had predicted, was highly approved of. The hitherto obstinate Kyte desired the marriage to take place as early as possible, and in his enthusiasm neglected Contango-square to such a degree that his old associates in that money-making district lifted their heads in wonder. Shortly after, the stockbroker announced his intention of retiring from business ; and there is reason to believe that Sir Richard Arrabelle received every consideration, even kindness, in the matter of the bills held by Kyte.

A very pleasant spectacle was that which greeted the eyes of Mr Goode (who of course read the Marriage Service) and his family when Boland Dennison led his young bride, alternately smiling and tearful, from the cl lurch where they had been united for life. The preceding few weeks had wrought a great change in Kyte’s once stony heart; but when the young couple drove away to spend the honeymoon, the old leaven temporarily broke forth, as with a celf-satisfied air he ruminated thus : ‘ Jabez Kybe, you have this day sacrificed your own inclinations for those of your daughter. How thankful should you be that you are not as other fathers arrogant, tyrannical, and purse-proud !’ This was the last phariiaical speech he ever uttered. There v. ai a little good remaining in Kyte’s bosom, though mammon and selfish greed were so deeply rooted as to seem almost ineradicable. He lived, however, to bless the day when, by giving Rose to Boland Dennison, he did his best to repair the past, and laid the foundation for her lifelong happiness.