Author:  Alvin Addison

Release Date:  September 8, 2005 [eBook #16676]

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ISO-646-us (us-ASCII)

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EVELINE MANDEVILLE.

Or, The Horse Thief Rival

by

ALVIN ADDISON

Author of “The Rival Hunters.”

Cincinnati: 
Published by U. P. James,
167 Walnut Street.

1837

CHAPTER I.

“Why do you persist in refusing to receive the addresses of Willard Duffel, when you know my preference for him?”

“Because I do not like him.”

“‘Do not like him,’ forsooth!  And pray, are you going to reject the best offer in the county because of a simple whim? the mere fancy of a vain-headed, foolish and inexperienced girl?  I did not before suppose that a daughter of mine would manifest such a want of common sense.”

“Whether my opinions of men are made up of that rare article so inappropriately called ‘common sense’ or not, is a question I shall not attempt to decide; it is sufficient for me to know that I have my ’likes and my dislikes,’ as well as other folks, and that it is my right to have them.”

“Oh, yes! you have rights, but a parent has not, I suppose!”

“You know very well, father, that I do not deserve an insinuation of that kind from you:  I have always regarded your wishes, when expressed, save in this one instance, and I have too much at stake, in so serious a matter, to lightly throw aside my own opinions.”

“Yes, yes, you have been the most obliging of daughters, to hear your own story; but no sooner does a point of any moment come up, upon which we happen to disagree, than my wishes are as nothing—­a mere school-girl whim is set up in opposition to them, and that, too, without even a shadow of reason!  A very dutiful child, truly.”

“Father, how can you talk so?  You surely are but trying me; for you know I do not merit the rebuke conveyed by your words and manner.”

“Why not?”

“Why do I?”

“Because you are willfully disobedient.”

“No, not willfully but sorrowfully disobedient to your wishes.  Glad, indeed, would I be if I could comply with them, but I cannot.  Nor should you expect me to, until you show some good grounds why you entertain them.”