The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-11-21

is Beatrice :" he exclaimed, unable to re
q strain himself; "ibank God, see 20
y cncs more alone. How'll have longed 70
,c this opportunity. Nay, Beatrice" he said
E as she was abou, to speak. "you must hea
mo. Z love you with my whole heart AM
q soul-wi,h love such as no one can ofe
n you. Will you be mine ? .
She looked a, him coldly.
y "Mr. Meredith has, no doubt, been mis-
Q informed" |" she said my uncio is wealthy
bu, am no, his heiress. -.
8 "Criel as your words arc, deserve them, y
, he said, Z" for my dastardly conduct long
ago. But hear me was young, proud
and poor; daily stung by my poverty
cnmped by il, struggling vainly to overcome
tho obstacles it placed In my way. Just
then anevil genius threw Thercsc In my
way. Her evident partiality for me fat
tered me, her wealth dazzled me, and, IN an
'unlucky moment, yielded TO temptation,
and secured her, but lost you. No sooner
was il done, than Ircgretted Il. Even them,
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. l never ceased to
love you. Beatrice even. when my wifes
arms were twined round me, and her voice
whispering tender words in my ear, your
form would glide between US, and l cursed
the fate that had taken you from me. But
yet was kind husband to Therese-so she
and all the world said. paid her oil the
attention due to her. | gave her all but my
heart. and that was always yours.
"At last she died, and left me oil her
wealth. was free. and at last my heart
turned to you. then sought for you every.
where, and at last have found you.
God be praised that you are poor, so
that may prove my dsinterested attach
ment to you. offer You my heart, hand
and fortune. offer you love that has
increased in fervor every year. Be mine,
my Beatrice-lny wife,
lie took her hand as he spoke; she with
drew it instantly.
(" Louis Meredith, she said, 81 give you
credit for rare candor. Few would confess
that they sold themselves for moncy-but
how dare you offer me the wages OF your
sharne?" Her eyes flashed FIRE "Never,
sir. would become the wife of bastard,
such as you declare yourself: you have
your answer" ....r ..- |,
She turned to leave tho room, but he pre-
vented her. .riI
" Beatrice" he said, 81 know you well
forgive you your cruel words, for it is your
prid- forbade You to show any regret at our
separation. In your ycart Of hearts you
love me cycnnow, when with bitter words
N your pride you send Imn from you. Your
yes sparkled at my coming, Beatrice; your
heart pied for me when your resolutc will
stillcd its voice Oh do not, my Beatrice,
for such hollow triumph, prepare lie
time of misery for you rself and me-
She drew up her tall fs urc TO its full height
Yes, Louis Meredith, did love you once,
she said, though blush to own it | loved
you for what thought you were-a noble,
and true man. 1t was the ideal, not the real
man tha. I loved, Thanks to you, you
opened my cyes-long since ! ceased to love
you. And you could Aatter yourself that
you had power to move me No. sir, your
coming could neither bring the blood to my
cheeks, quicken my pulses, or mako my heart
beat. l did start at your entrance, but 1t
was because expected momcntarily the en-
trance Of him whom Idol love with my whole
heart-my affianced husband-whose step
hear even now approaching. Remain, III
you choose, and will show youa MAN, such
as you must become ere you win the heart OF
true woman. Forgive me, If | have baan
too harsh, but learn this lesson, that he who
sells himself for money, sinks below the lev
el of man, and forlcits oil claims to lie
treated as such. ..,..........., /
Without word Louis Meredith bowed
and withdrew, n sadder, If not u wiser man,