“‘Dear, dear papa, for Heaven’s sake don’t ask me to be false to the man I love! I’ll not marry him until he returns from Philadelphia; by that time I will be better able to make you a sensible answer, but I beseech you not to press me so now; you know how I love you--you know how much I appreciate your kindness to me; listen, therefore, to my entreaty--grant me time for reflection.’ “‘Not another moment will I give you to make an answer to such a sensible request; any girl whose judgment was not choked with a foolish infatuation would be able to answer such a reasonable demand without a moment’s reflection. Do you wish to tie yourself to a man who is anxious to get rid of you?’ “‘No, no! a thousand times, no, papa; and no one knows this better than you.’ “‘Then, Lottie, for the last time, I demand authority from you to cancel this foolish engagement; will you, or will you not, give it?’ “‘Not unless Eddie wishes it,’ was the calm reply. “At last the man of iron lost his temper: “‘Then, Miss Wallingford, you will oblige me by seeking a home elsewhere.’ “‘Oh, papa, dear, darling papa! please unsay those cruel words! I am not afraid of hardships; neither am I afraid of poverty, but it is your displeasure that I dread more than all. I love you truly, earnestly, devotedly, as much as any child ever loved a parent. Oh, papa, revoke those cruel words!’ “‘Leave me, leave me!’ thundered the lawyer, as he pushed Lottie away from him rather roughly. She retreated to the farther end of the room and stared at Mr. Rockland with astonishment, while a mysterious change came over her. She approached the table, took a seat, and hastily penned a note to Edward Demar: “‘DEAR EDDIE--Come to me as quickly as you can. I wish to consult you on important business. Yours, “‘LOTTIE.’ “Then she touched a little silver bell that lay on the table and a man-servant bowed himself in at the door. “‘Did you ring, miss?’ inquired the servant. “‘Take this note to Mr. Edward Demar without delay; you’ll find him at Doctor Dodson’s drug-store. Tell Burley to come to me instantly.’ “‘The man servant had scarcely passed the veranda when Burley, a mulatto woman, appeared at the door. “‘Did you send for me, miss?’ “‘Pack my clothes in the large trunk, Burley; then get Archie to help you bring it down; set the trunk on the front portico; tell Archie to put my parrot in his cage, and to bring all my pets and place them by my trunk. Tell him to tie a string round old Bob’s neck, so I can lead the poor blind friend along while I am seeking a new home. Old Bob and I have been tramps many days together, and we’ll not part now.’ “‘Oh, Lottie, my darling, come to your old cruel papa’s arms! I give up--I surrender--I take back all I have said. Marry Eddie if you will, but don’t leave me--I can’t live without you; you shall have your own way in everything.’