Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-12-19

and her voice whispering tender words in NV
ear, your form would glide between as. and
cursed the fate that had taken Won from me
But yet was kind husband to Thsrsss-so
attention due TO her / gave her all but nv
heart, and that was yours. AZ last she died
and left me ell her wealth. / vas free, and
instantly my heart turned to You. / sought
yon everywhere, and at lsstI found you
Ged be praised that you are poor, that %
may prove my disinterested attachment TO
you. offer my heart, my hand, and fortune.
cter yeu q love that has increased in fervor
every year. Be mine, my Beatrics-my wife. /"
He took her hand a. he spoke: she with
drew il instantly a'sA
{" Louis M.redith,'' % .h. said, 81 Civ. you
credit for rare candor. Few would eenfess
they had sold themselves for monsy-but how
dare you offer me the wages Of your shame 7''
Her eyes flashed hre, "Never, sir, would L
become the wife Of bastard, such as you have
declared yourself; you have your answer"
She turned to leave the room but he pre-
vented her.
Beatrice" he said, al know yo1 vslii /
forgive your cruel words, for il 10 your pride
which dictates them. You loved me when
your pride forbade You to show any regret ct
our separation. In your heart Of hearts you
lo,-e me even now, when with bitter words In
your pride you send me from you Your eyes
sparki,ed at my coming Beatrice; your heart
plead for me when your resoluts VIII stillsd its
voice. Oh do not my Beatrice, for such
hollow trium, N, prepare lifetime Of missry
for yourself ano me- ....
She drew up he figure to Its full hcisht.
eyes, Louis Mere> 'ith, 1 did love ven On 9. -
she said, " though 1 ts'lush TO own il; Ioyed
you for what thought you wsrs-a noble and
true man. Ii was the idea, not tho real man
that loved. Thanks TO yon, you opened my
eyes-long since L ceased to love ysu. And
you could fatter yourself that you had power
to move me! No, sir, your coming csuld
neither bring the blood TO my cheek, quicken
my pulses, or make my heart beat / did
start at your entrance, but il was because /
expected momentarily the entrance Of him
whom do love with all my heart my afi-
anced husband-vhose step hear now ap-
preaching. Remain, If you chose, and will
show you a man, such as you must become sre
you win the heart Of a true woman. Forgive
me, if / have been to harsh, but learn this
lession, that he who sells himself for money,
sinks below the level of a man, and forfeits al
claims TO be treated as such"
Without word, Louis Meredith bowed and
withdrew, sadder, if not a wiser man. as tho
betrothed of Beatrice entered the apartment
A few weeks later in those spacious parlors,
surrounded by her friends, Beatrice gave her
hand where she had long since given her heart.
Never had she looked as lovely as now, when
with holy confidence, she entrusted her hap
piress 10 the keeping Of the man Of her choice,
ard never, during a long life Of mingled prosper
ity and adversely did she have casion to re-
gret il.
Their love was founded on a rock, and
though the rains descended, and the foods
came, and the winds blew il fell not" for it
rested on the sure foundation of trust in each
other and in God.