be as brief as possible.

"The little girl, under the care of her nurse and the faithful
instructions of a pious old Scotchwoman--who had come over with the
child's maternal grandparents, and followed the fortunes of the
daughter and granddaughter, always living as housekeeper in the
families where they resided--had grown to be a sweet, engaging child,
inheriting her mother's beauty and gentleness. She had also her
mother's craving for affection, and was constantly looking and longing
for the return of her unknown father, which was delayed from time to
time until she was nearly eight years of age.

"At last he came; but ah, what a bitter disappointment awaited the
poor child! His mind had been poisoned against her, and instead of
the love and tenderness she had a right to expect, he met her with
coldness--almost with aversion. Poor little one! she was nearly
heartbroken, and for a time scarcely dared venture into her father's
presence. She was gentle, submissive, and patient; he cold, haughty,
and stern. But she would love him, in spite of his sternness, and at
length she succeeded in winning her way to his affections, and he
learned to love her with passionate tenderness.

"Still her troubles were not over. She was sincerely pious, and
conscientiously strict in many things which her father deemed of
little importance; especially was this the case in regard to the
observance of the Sabbath. He was a man of iron will, and she, though
perfectly submissive in other respects, had the firmness of a martyr
in resisting any interference with her conscience.

"Well, their wills came in collision. He required her to do what she