True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-03-26

ana 10 whom Louis Meredith was 6ald u
be affianced, could divide the honors .
belle-ship with her.
1t had been well known throughout thC
village that Beatrice and Louis had beel
engaged, and the separation was equal.
well understood; but though she was mar
rowly watched, no look or gesture betrsye
that she had been moved by the sunderln,
Cf the tic.
She was surrounded by admirers; she ha,
a smile for this one, comman! for sec
ond, and merry words for others; and, as
attracted by some irresistible charm, Ioui
Meredith lowered near her. Even wher
talking with his afiionced bride, There's
Benedict, he heard every word that fel
from Beatrice's lips, aud saw her every mo
tion.
His eyes flashed ongrily as he saw he
smilngly receiving the attentions olIere,
her, and contrasted her manner towards al
with the careless "GooJ evening" witt
which she me: him; her cheek had no
flushed at his greeting, her hand had NO
trembled in his grasp, and lie was jealous
too, and almost CRASHED his teeth with rag
when he saw herapparently listening witt
the deepest attention to the half-whisper
ed words of Raj ph Mercer, the only son o
their host, the wealthiest man in the vii
agc.
Lonis looked at Beatrice, and then a
Therese--the one poor village school
teacher, and the other the wealthy daughte
of distinguished lawyer-and he coul
bat acknowledge howfar superior, in beaut,
grace and talent, was the humble teache
lie had discarded to his atfianced bride.
His eyes were opened. He knew tha
he still loved Beatrice, and that withou
her money Therese would have been ut,erl
Indifferent to him. He could bear i. n
longer. lie stole as soon as possible t
Beatrice's side, and said a few words O.
her coquetry and beartlessness.
She turned her large flashing eyes fll
upon him with look of contempt.
"Mr. Meredith forgets HIMSELF" she re
piled, coldly: "his opinion is utterly iudii
ferent to me. What right has he to crit
else my condnct!"
She waved her hand in token Of dismis
sal; and he LETT her with strange mixtur
of love and anger in his heart as he say
her again, the centre OF circle of admi
rers, full of life and animation. The hour
flew rapidly, and when at last the gayrom
pnny departed, Louis saw, with bitter jeal
ousy, that Ralph Mercer was the devote
attendant of his discarded Beatrice, an,
he sought his home, angry with himsel
and the world.
The excitement of the evening was owe
and alone in her chamber Beatrice though
of all that had passed. She had triumphed
but, alas what an aching heart had bee
hid under that gay exterior She ha
loved Louis Meredith with all the ardor O
her passionate. but reserved nature, an
not so easily could she thrust him from he
heart. The struggle to appear happy, t
deceive all about her with show of indi
ference, was too much for her. She longe
to be away, and right gladly she accepte
lucrative offer to take charge ofa school i
the large town of Montlord, where sh
might escape the sight Of Louis, the re
ports of his approaching marriage, and tn
Argus eyes Of whole village.
Mrs. Lancaster made no objection to tn
proposed removal, and ere long Beatric
and her mother left Langdon forever.
III,