MR. MARSDEN’S ROMANCE.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume 4, Issue 35, 25 January 1895, Page 3

MR. MARSDEN’S ROMANCE.

4 Youthful Episode in an Old Man’s Life. -4' BY. H. C. LINTON.

■ Old Mr. Marsden is quite an interesting personage in Mapperley. He is so old that the greater number of the people who meet him on the road an*d in the lanes cannot remember when be was young. He has lived in Ma p rley about half a century, and he was a man when he settled down there. We cannot wonder, therefore, that the new generation should not remember when he was young-that is, as young a 3 many of those'who were familiar with t.he appearance of the quiet, kindly, and lonely old man. A few of the ancients in and around Mapncrley had recollections of Mr. Marsden ® Curlier years. One or two remembered his father, a hard-living, hard-drinking, foxhunting old gentleman, who was a good type of the impulsive and thoroughly Conservative squire of tho olden time. Ftom one of these I learned the story of an incident in Mr. Marsden’s life which might be almost described as a tragedy. The absence of bloodshed and death, however, would reader that title inappropriate, but the working of stubborn will rendered the episode painfully romantic. The Marsdens and the Pennington*) had been residents and landowners in and around I Mapperley from a period much further back J ’.han any to which the memory of the oldest inhabitant could reach. They were of the s c'!, and they lived on the soil, as the people said. They were both inflexibly conservative in their opinions, and they were both about equally rigid in tho preser•’..tion of traditions and the observance of ' customs that had been in existence sw centuries. As enlightenment and consequent independence of thought and feeling spread amongst-the people, the landed gentry were set down as narrow-minded and crotchety. But neither the Marsdens nor the Pendingtoils were affected by that. Tbev belonged to grand old county families that had history to-boast. They had long and unbroken lineage to look back upon, and ttie continuation of their families without any possible blemish on the roll of pedigree was. equally an object of desire and a binding duty with both. Toe Marsdens and the Penningtons were on the beat of terms with each other. They looked upo’u themselves as the reliC9, or the i worthy representatives, of the old nobility which bad mainly contributed tp thp undying glory of England,.The lords a'pd earls of recent creation were unwarrantable impositions in their eyes, and the so-called upstarts were, in tho gross, objects of their contempt. The father of the Mr. Marsden with whom we are conceaned inherited all the harrowminded prejudices of bis ancestors. The head of tne Pennington family, at the same time, was equally imbued with the most unyielding principles of bis class. During a carouse which followed a fox-hunt in which both had taken part, they exchanged opinions freely, and,’ 1 in a moment of what they deemed pat-riotio enthusiasm, tiiii.y swore that the honorable blood tho old families should be blonded to p-ra-vent possible deterioration of Its antiquity and purity. When tho men made this solemn engage*moot, Mr. Marsden had a t son aged thirteen, and Mr. Pennington a daughter eleven. They had these child-rea in mind when they so oddly pledged themselves to effect an alliance in blood between their families, and thus Kenrio -Marsden and Lucy Pennington wore betrothed, before either could know the full significance of such a compact. During the ten years following, the young people were thrown much together, and the parents were satisfied by the unmistakable friendliness that marked their intercourse on every occasion. Kenric Marsden somewhat patronised Lucy. He played, the part of an eider br'othor to her, but displayed none of that fondness which distinguishes the lover. Lucy appeared to be proud of the patronage and protection extended to hor. She was beautiful, gentle, and submissive. As both grew to maturity, it was not difficult to perceive that she regarded her friend, Kenric, as the most, perfect and meat lovable youth whom it would be any maiden’s privilege to attend and to obey. I think one of our popular songs informs us that “Our hearts aro not our own .to give.” if there be enough trutf) in that statement to recommend it to thejamger, there will be greater truth is the assertion that they are not the property of others to dispose of as may seem to them beat. “ The best.laid plans o’ mice an'* moo gang aft a-gley," and the scheme to-the fulfilment of which the elder Mr. Marsden was pledged was not destined to a better fate. t

When Keurlc attained man’s"estate, be bceaniQ more fhmilia*? with the world and worldly ways. It is the'fashion with young gentlemen to fall in love, and Kenric proved not an exception to the rule. He, met the daughter of a trader in the neighboring town. She was a pretty and accomplished young lady, possessing a store of sound practical knowledge, yet as vivacious and as pleasing as tbs favored ones of her sex usually proveto some individual ot-thegonus masculine. She did not disdain the modern aotions'Vhjch were then making irresistable progress’in the world. Her parents belonged to the mighty class who had emerged from the comparative obscurity of poverty by moans of well-directed effort and honest toil and she bad imbibed from them settled faith in the capacity of workers, and the natural honor attaching to honest labor, o xtnnk is but the guinea’s stamp; the man’s the gowd for o’ that,” was the expression of the fundamental principle in her father’s social philosophy. The man who had earned the gold he boasted was one of nature’s noblemen, in his opinion; aud the man who did not possess gold, and vet disdained to work for it, was an object of contempt as a useless incumbrance on the earth that should support, only useful, honset m°n. Wealth, position, or title enjoyed by idlers as inheritance, and acquired without personal effort, did not command his respect. In much modified form, his daughter entertained the same opinions, but her instinctive procaption of the genteel proprieties of social intercourse prevented her from being at all demonstrative in tho expression of her views. It will be seen that the trader and the conntry gentleman held opposite and irreconcilable poles of opinion, and it may be wondered that tho squire’s sou should become enamoured of a girl who held views so diametrically opposed to those that had been' instilled into Jiis own mind since he was capable of understanding. That was the ease, however. Levo is a great leveller, %nd h powerful reconciler. Love is bfffld, aleo, except to tho mos*t attractive features in the beloved one’s peraon or character; and so Kenrio Marsden gave all the strong, passionate love of his manly- heart to the daughter of the trader who gloried in the sweeping social revolution which his father regarded with abhorrence and alarm. He even bepamQ iff a great degree a odnvert to the opinions of bte lady-love, and thought the people who traded might be as susceptible of refinement, elevation, and advancement as the son of a gentleman whose pedigree could be traced baok through fifteen generations. Mr. Marsden, senior, however, was not subjected to the same influences, and did not' experience any softening of the rigid conservatism of bis opinions. His convictions were not assailed through bis affections, and they became only stronger and more unalterable as the time approached when be should transmit them to bis son as an essential part of the Marsden inheritance. When be learned that bis eldest son, the finirto bis ancient name, old estete. and

time-RtreDgth.enea prejudices, was pftyinl court, to the daughter of a shopke.oper, his rage knew no bounds. The man could not produce either oral or written record of even hie grandfather. Consequently he was one of the nobodics by whose existence the men of ancient lineage and unblemished honour, the men whose ancestors bad made a name in history, were daily confronted and sometimes flouted. His bipod must be a puddle, and that should not be permitted to taint tbe pure strain of the Maredena if be could prevent it. Had he not selected the most suitable spouse for his son years before 1 Had he not pledged his inviolable word, nay, sworn, that he should marry the charming daughter of the old and true blooded Penningtons 1 He would exercise the authority of a father. Ho would not brook lenance irom ms son. Wo. Prido and | jassion were sufficiently strong > n j Marsden to overcome even parental affection. His son should conform to bis wishes, or he might ge, and he would not see the face ol the unworthy heir of the Marsdensagain. When Mr. Marsden saw his son, he gave sent to hiß sentiments very plainly and jmphatically. The son did not think he was bound to submit to dictation in a matter on which tbe happiness of his whole life depended. He argiied, but the senioi Marsden was deaf to argument, and tbe words of Kenric only inflamed his anger High words ensued, aad an estrangement irose, which was the fitst thal had ever iivided the father and sou. Mr. Mar'sden took the trouble to call upor She trader, and condescended to insult him .n a way the honest and independent plebeian-could not brook. He accused him >f trying to seduce Kenric from the path oi iiial duty, and concluded by declaring, witr ui oath, that if he persisted in his design tc marry bis vulgar daughter to a Marsden, lx would marry her to a beggar, for he woulc iisinberit th.e son who could so far disregarc the respect he owed to his ancient anc Honorable family. The sturdy trader was angered. He clcslared that tbe ancient and honorable Marsden, and all who held such absurd jpiniona, ought to be suppressed as s national nuisance. He further declared tlial if he did not leave hta premises hastily h< would take the liberty to throw him intc the street. As it was very evident that hi meant to fulfil his threat, Mr. Marsden re tired, fuming and blustering. When ntai the door, he discharged one of his shafts oi insolent sarcasm, which had the effect ol bringing the outraged and angry trader intc slose proximity with his retreating figure. The trader’s daughter had heard much ' that had passed between Mr. Marsden and her father, and she was hardly less indignant than the trader himself. She had heard the threat of t disinheriting, and that alone satisfied her that she could forve Kenric by iiscouraging his addresses, or wholly diseontinuing his .acquaintance. She had no difficulty in arriving at this conclusion Phough she admired Keurie, her affections were not deeply engaged, and she could not think of entailing probable ruin on hei friend. His love had been tendered unsought, and she could relinquish the pleasure his society afforded wit bout a pane. Him I quickly informed her father uf her resolution | and that gentleman npprovid it warmly | for he derived no pleasure from the pr« spiel ; of a high-minded, handsome, but probably i penniless son-in-law. , j When Keurie in xt rpet his love, she spoke ,to him earnestly and candidly. She told I him of his fatbqr’s threat to disinherit him 1 if he p ora weed in meeting For, and declared that aba ha# rcewlved to dl-i.cont.imie the intercourse for his sake, though with pain te herself. Kcnrio’s passionate protestations anc bigli-acmnding-i'fceolutlous were potvetless tc shake -her resolution. He went from hei presence feeling that his life had been blighted ; that-every possibility of happiness had been taken from him ; and that hit father had wrought aH this mischief that be might secure his hand for Lucy Pennington, Lucy Pennington ! The * name was - how Hateful in his ears. He conceived a dislike for the gentle maiden, as if she had been ictiv&ly engaged in destroying his happiness, and he mentally swore that if be could not wed thn only being he had loved, Lucy Pennington at least should never be>wife tc ulm. A stormy and painful scene between father and sqn immediately followed Kenric’! return to Mapperley Hall. A few days later Kenric Marsden left the paternal roof for an undefined period. He was not expelled ; but, witn his father s jonsent, he went to Canada in the hope that Che new aspects which the world might prejent in that distant region would serve to fcllay the pain of mind and heart consequent on tbe disappointment of his hope and the frustration of his amorous plans. Three-years passed before Kenric again appeared in Mapperl-ey. S->me important changes had taken place amongst his for.cnei | friends and acquaintances during those i yearn. That which most astonished him, j and most deeply woundedjnm, was that oi I his love—the being whose image he bad i borne in his mind during all his woudenngs i —had married a rising young merchant i some litteen months previously, and was now ' the mother of a boy who, he heard, was “tbe born image of his father.'’ The hope he had always cherished in that direction was thus utterly extinguished, and by the lady’s own act.. Surely there sonstanc*' in womankind, he thought. Certainly, there was no constancy in a trader's, laughter. But he would show to bin father, to his lost love —now another muu’6 wife—and to all the world, that a man could be sonstant and firm of purpose. But through all tiles troubles, and through ill this time, another bad been constant and' faithful. Lucy Pennington still loved him, ind Lucy’s hand was reserved for him, li lie would* not accept it, that hand should not be given to another in we'd lock. Mr. Penoington wan stern in the observance of his Bompact with Mr. Marsden, and Lucy was pleased, since she did not wish to be forced Co give her band where her heart could novel oe. Mr. Marsden repeatedly mentioned his pel project for the alliance of the two families ifter his son’s return. Kcnrick listened tc him quietly but austerely, yet, after a fe-x months, he gratified his father by saying b< would consent to tbe realisation of his wish He would many Lucy Pennington, though h'e could not pretend to love her, beautiful j gentle, and good as she was milted to be. | Mr. Marsden and Mr. Pennington wer< I delighted when Kendo's resolution win ; m ade known. Mr. Pennington and Lucy ! were informed that Kenric was not prompted I to this s-ep by amatory feeling, but by a | aenße of filial duty. All three were content. ! however, to accept things as they were, anc ! the two gentlemen and Lucy herself w-rr ; convinced that the love would grow in Ken I tic’s hea't when ho and Lucy lived in the aaored relation of man and wife.

The marriage was formally arranged, and the ceremony was conducted on a scale o! splendour suited t.o the standing of suet ancient county families. Kciuie was polit: and attentive, but ho was always grave - even stern. The train of bridesmaids thorgbl him repellent, he was so icily cold and sc free from the glow of happiness which a gentlemanly bridegroom should exhibit. When the service had been read, the bride and bridegroom went arm in arm to the vestry to sign the register, and the bridesmaids followed. Kenric wrote his name in the book in clear, firm characters; Lucy signed with considerable trepidation, and then the principal bridesmaid went to the book to attach bor signature as a witness. While she was in the act of writing, Kenric stood near the open vestry door, and Lucy, standing at his sida, attempted to rest her hand on his arm. But K» uric withdrew his W ™i?ouch me not, now, Mrs. Marsden,” he said, in a low, stem tone. Our marriage jeremony has been .performed to please jthers more than you or me. Here it must ' n Tke bride clasped her hands and bent towards him with a look of the most piteous •heading; but ho drew his am away and. ih rank from her. ns if thero wers pollution t. Hof touch- fSee oicture.l

lucy was pale aßlhe white blossoms she wore in her hair, but she made no outcry. The consternation of those who witnessed the scene need not be described. They were married, and they parted. They never lived together. Mrs. Marsden died in a few rears and her husband attended her funeral. He still lives loneily in Mapperley and hut !(, w know the particulars of oldJMr. Marsleu’s romance.