Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-22
upon her as her shadow during the whole even


f slant visitor at Mrs Bigelow's. where Beatrice
t since the death of her mother, had resided. =
| With Mrs. Bigelow he soon became favorite
but Beatrice, though studiously polite, wa
equally cold yet, Notwithstanding all her cold
ness, Louis was more madly in love with he
than ever
Week after week he fingered in Montford
and at every opportunity he was at her side
/ She appeared utterly unconscious of his devo
ton, aud by her manner, effectualIy prevent
ed his utterng any expressions of affection
lie longed to, yet dared not, learn bis fate, anC
in alternatoas of hope and fear passed his
time.
At last, he could not bear it any longer he
resolved to know the worst, and went one af
tcrnoon TO see her, with the determination to
offer his hand and heart. Fortune favored
him ; she was alone in the library, aud he was
shown there at once She was sitting with her
head little turned aside. as he entered, but he
saw the blood rush to her cheeks and her eyes
sparkle, as he half started forward to meet
i him then resuming her olden stately manner,
she received him with dignity, and sank into
her seat. lie had seen and hoped much from
| her emotion
Beatrice y he exclaimed unable to restrain
himself, I" thank God, | see you once more
alone. How have longcd for this opportu-
nifty. Nay, Beatrice" he said, as she was
about to speak, you must hear me- | love
you with my whole heart and soul-with a love
snch as no other can offer you. VIII you be
mine ?"
! She looked at him coldly.
Mr.. Meredith has, doubtless, been misin-
formed she said ; " my uncle is wealthy, but
| am not his he.ress"
Cruel as your words are, deserve them"
e-said, for my dastardly conduct long ago
But hear me : was young, proud and poor !;
daily stung by my poverty-cramped by it,
struggling vainly to overcome the obstacles it
placed in my way. Just then my evil genius
threw Therese in my path. Her evident par
tiality for me fattered me, her wealth dazzled
me, and in an unlucky moment, | yielded to
temptation, and secured her but lost you. No
sooner was it done than | regretted it. Even
then had you treated me less proudly, less con-
temptuously, would have resigned her and
claimed you but | felt you would have none
of me, and blindly | was led on to a marriage
without love. | never ceased to love you,
Beatrice even when my wife's arms were
twined round me, and her voice whispering
tender words in my ear, your form would glide
between US, and cursed the fate that hod Ia
ken you from me. But yet l was kind hus-
band to ThereSe--so she and all the world said
| paid her all the attention due her | gave
her all but my heart, and that was always
yours
AT last she died, and left me all her wealth
| was free, and instantly my heart turned to
YOU. then sought for you everywhere, and at
hast have found Won.
God be praised that you are poor, so that
l may prove my disinterested attachment to
You. offer You my heart, hand and fortune
| offer you love that has increased in fer
vor every year BE mine, my Beatrice-my
wife"
He took her hand as he spoke she with
drew it instantly
Louis Meredith she sad AZ give you
credit for rare candor. Few would confess that
they sold themselves for monev-but how dare
you offer me the wages of your shame ?' Her
eyes flashed fire Never, sir, wonld | be-
come the wife Of BASTARD such as you declar
ed Yourself; you have your answer"
She turned to leave the room, but he pre-
vented her
Beatrice" he said, " know you well !
forgive you your cruel words for it is your
pride forbade you to show any regret at our
separation. In your heart of hearts you love
Inc even now, when with bitter words in your
pride you send me from you. Your eyes spar
kled at my coming, Beatrice your heart plead
for me when your resolute will stilled its voice
Oh do not, my Beatrice, for such hollow
triumph, prepare lifetime Of misery for your
self and me"
She drew up her tall figure to its full
height
Yes, Louis Meredith, l did love you once
she said, " though blush to own it :; loved
you for what thought you werc-a noble and
true man 1t was the IDEAL not the real man
that | loved. Thanks to You, you opened my
eyes-long since | ceased to love you. And
you could latter Yourself that you had power
to move me !! No, sir, your coming could nei
ther bring the blood to my cheek, quicken my
pulses, or make my heart beat | did start at
, yonr entrance, but it was because | expected
momentarily the entrance of him whom | do
love with my whole heart-my a(Bapced hUs-
band-whoSe step ! hear even now approach
ing Remain. if YOU choose, and | will show
you a MAN, such as YOU must become ere you
win the heart Of a true woman. Forgive, me-
| if have been too harsh, but learn this lesson,
that he who sells himself for money, sinks be-
| low the level OF a man. and forfeits all claims
TO be treated as such"
| Without word Louis Meredith bowed and
Withdrew, a Saddcr If not wiser man, as the
| bctrothcd 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 gave her heart.
! Never had she looked so lovely as now, when,
with n holy confidence, she intraStcd her hap
piness to the keeping of the man of her choice,
and never during long life of mingled pros
perity and adversity did she have occasion to
regret it.
Their love was founded on rock and though
Z" the rain descended, ank the floods came, and
the winds blew, it fell not, for it rested on the
sure foundation of trust in each other and in