The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1856-01-10
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Out he saw the blood rush to her checks
and her eyes sparkle, as she half started
forward to meet him; then resuming her
olden stately manner, she received him
with dignity, and sank to ber seat. He
had seen and hoped much from her
emotion.
Beatrice y he exclaimed, unable to
restrain himself "thank God, l see
you alone. How l have longed for
this opportunity. Nay, Beatrice he
said, as she was about to speak, you
must hear me. l love you with my
whole heart and soul with a love such
as no other can offer you. Will you bs
mine =
She looked at him coldly.
Mr.. Meredith has, doubtless, been
misinformed,' she said. MY uncle is
wealthy, but | am not his heiress.'
Cruel as your words are, l deserve
thcm,' he said, for my dastardly con-
duet long ago. But hear me l 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 Thercse in my way Her evident
partiaity for me flattercd me, her wealth
dazzled me, and in an unlucky moment
l 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, l would resigned her, and
claimed you; but felt you would have
none of me, and blindly l was led on to
a marriage without love. never ceased
to love you, Beatrice even when my
wtc's arms were twined around ME, and
her voice whispering tender words in
my ear, your form would glide between
us, and cursed the fate that had taken
you from me. But yet l was kind
husband to Thcrese-so so she and all the
world said Ipaid her all the attention
due to her. l gave her all but my
heart, and that was always yours.
At last she died, and left me all her
wealth. l was free, and instantly my
heart turned to yeu. l sought for you
everywhere, and at last l have found
you.
God be praised that you are poor, so
that l may prove my disinterested at
tachnent to you. l offer you my heart
hand and fortune. 1 offer you love
that has increased in fervor every year.
BE mine, my Beatrce-my wifs?'
He took her hand as he spoke; she
withdrew it instantly.
Louis Meredith she said, Il give
you credit for rare candor. Few would
confess that they had sold themselves
for money-but how dare you offer me
the wages of your shame' 20 Her eyes
flashed fire Never, sir, would be-
come the wife Of bastard such as you
declared yourself; you have your an
She turned to leave the room, bat hs
prevented her.
Beatrice he said, Il 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 me even now,
when with bitter words in your pride
you send me from you. Your eyes
sparkled at my coming, Beatrice your
heart plead for me when your resolutc
will stilled its voice. Oh do not Bea-
trice, for such hollow triumph, prepare
lifetime of misery for yourself and me-.
Beatrice drew up her tall figure to it's
full height
Yes, Louis Meredith, I did love you
once,' she said, though blush to own
it; loved you for what l thought you
were-a noble and truc man. 1t was
the ideal, not the rsal man / loved
Thanks to you, you opened my eyes
long since ceased to love you. And
you could flatter yourself that you had
power TO move me. No, sir, your COM
ing could neither bring the blood to my
checks, quicken my pulses, or make my
heart beat. l did start at your en-
trance, but it was because l expected
momentarily the entrance of him whom
/ do love with my whole heart my aft
anced husband--whose step hear even
now approaching. Remain if you
choose. and l will show you MAN, such
as VOW must become ere you win the
heart of true woman. Forgive me,
if have been too harsh, but learn this
lesson, that he who sells himself for
money, sinks below the level of a man,
and forfeits all claims to be treated as
sucb.'
Without word, Louis Meredith bow
ed and withdrew, sadder, ifnot wiser
man, as the betrothed of Beatrice en-
tered 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