Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-12-07

| to him. He took it, but with an abstractes
air, as if his mind was busy in another direc
ton.
miss Fitzsimon," said Edgar after
pause, 1--WE have spent SO much time togeth
er, and interchanged SO much thoght, may
add feeling, that am confident enough to say
to you what 1 have not said to your father OF
to Mrs. Fitzsimon."
Bertha blushed; but no; he was not going
to say what she expected.
!" You have guessed there is q mystery
about me-" he continued-s'y you have suspec-
ted it-and you are right. I ann man who
from my boyhood, have loved truth. and
sought after honesty. Where they were want
/ ing, either in man or woman, i could zee no
| virtue to compensate their absence; have
lived to be deceived by one who was destitute
| of both But what have you to do with this p
he added, after short pause; eve will speak
of something else"
"No, mol pray 60 on" exclaimed Bertha,
SO interested in what had already fallen from
Edgar, and her face,so full of expression, that
he thought size had never looked half SO love-
! ly before
.'It is a long story, Miss Fitzsimon but
perceive you partly guess it. loved a wo-
pan whom 1 thought possessed of heart as
trn @ as her faoe was beautiful; but had
indeed wrongly. From the time that dis
covered my mistake, withdrew from society.
resolved to- devote myself to those affections
which books, the study of nature, and the WI
dest phases of mans life supply. It'was not
long however. ere found that my heart was
still alive enough TO appreciate more kindred
love-" =,
Edgar paused, and turned his look steadily
on Bertha. Her large, expressive eyes, were
veiled in an instant BY their scarce less lovely
lids A beautiful blush sp.-ead over her face.
glowed for a moment, and IL, ,medlately passed
away.
Bertha" cried Edgar, drawing. closer to
her and taking her hand in his, have you
never suspected that I looked with no common
admiration on your charms, or tlaat regarded
with a deeper respect the more engaging
qualities of your nature? Have you not iSns-
pected have more than ordinary regard for
you?"
YES" replied Bertha, for she certainly
had suspected it.
Have you never dreamt that dared even
to love you?''
Yes" she had dfeamt that too; though
she saw no great daring about it.
IL love you," be said, ''yes with my whole
heart Do love in vain ?''
As he said this he drex-elnser to Bertha,
who suffering her hand to remain in his, per-
mitted him to fold his other arm around her
waist Just then footsteps we're heard upon
the stairs
"Do love in vain ?" repeated Edgar. He
felt her arm timidly placed upon his shoulder
/" You will not forget me 7" cried he.
" Never" replied Bertha.
A month passed, and the Fitzsimons were
settled in London. 1t was the height of the
season; and Bertha found herself in new
world indeed, exceeding in splendor and in
beauty the widest paintings of her imaglna-
ton.
One morning, some two months after her
arrival, while mechanically turning over some
sheets of new music, and running her fingers
along the keys of her instrument, the door of
the drawing-room opened, and the servant an
nounced Mr.. Edgar. Mr.. Edgar himself fol-
lowed.
Bertha rose, blushed, stammered Edgar
perceived her hesitation. He advanced and
held out his hand. She placed hers within it
but somewhat stifiy.
s'You are altered, Miss Fitzsimon, said he,
after a time 8. You have lost the ruddy
health you brought to town with you May
I add, too, that in other respects see diff
ference"
There was melancholy inthe tone in which
he spoke that went at once to her heart. AL
tered! Yes. she was much altered. But
whatever she might have said was interrupted
by the entrance of her father.
Fitzsimon had always held his head high,
but now it was higher than ever. It seemed,
indeed, as if his chin had usurped the posi-
tion by nature allotted to his nose. As he
stalked into the room Edgar. at once saw what
reception he would have Proceeding to the
piano, Fitzsimon took his daughter by the
hand, and leading her to the door, motionsd
her out and closed it after her.
"Mr. Edgar" said Fitzsimon, returning
with an air fmagnifcence which almost made
our hero smile, "this is very unseemly, sir;
very indecorous and improper You should
have written had you wished to see me, and
would willingly have granted you audience;
but to take me by storm. to insist, as it were
though hardly think your presumption
could intend that -on forcing me to an inter-
yiew-this is, I say, most indecorous. most
unseemly
Edgar was not taken aback; he knew his
man, and expected nothing better from him.
g. have used this freedom with your leave
before, Mr.. Fitzsimon," said he. '-and see no
difference that two months can have made to
render it indecorous now. am not changed;
are you p
Changed" calculated Fitzsimon in amaze
ment at the mans reckless impertinence;
changed! Good Heavens am 1 to be adj
dressed in this low, familiar manner. and ask
ed if am changedw
Remember, sir" replied Edgar sternly,