Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-12-03
NEW SERIES, VOL. I, NO 49.7

!
the half-hushed melody which swept through
the trees above him. That music led hin
back TO old English life with its minstrel
and Christmas waits. and be fancied he
heard repetition of by-gone Legends in lht
signing of the wind.
Suddenly breaking in upon his musings
came the slow and steady tramp of d char
gers hoof. As the football drew nearer Ma.
jor Dawson gave orders for servant TO stay
in attendance and receive the steed OF the
visitor. The horseman did not dismount
but spuring his charger onward swept by
The obsequpus groom, refining in his steed
directly under the verands, gave the Major 9
view OF his person and features they were
familiar-the rider was Cesar, and he knew
that he had come with some mission from
Captain BerksfOrd. TIE black bent over il
his saddle, and delivering the royals,
sealed letter, remarked with an explanatory
view:
"Ysh, Massa, he comes n II am acree'ble. +;
Receiving the package and breaking the
seal the Major had soon made hims.!f ac-
quained with its contents, and as our reader
perhaps. would be interes ed in its erus la
We wall give it in full:
"HEAD QUARTER,f
New YORK, August llth, 1881.
My DEAR MAJOR: Should everything prove
prOplitiuus, will be with you on Friday
afternoon next, when sincerely hope thai
the sweet Mary will look upon me with
genter eyes. send this by my man Cesar
with whom you may entrust any word you
choose 10 send back. Yours in haste,
WIN. RERKsFuRD.
To MAJOR WILLIAM DAWSON,
"MEADowDALE.
A flush OF pleasure passed over the fea.
lures of the Major. 10 his eyes, Captain
Berksiord was second Richard c0uer de.
Lion, and 20 him tie Captains will y as Of
the greatest moment. He turned to the cuur.
ier and replied.
"lt were useless for me to tell your mas
ter that he is welcome to our hos pita lty,
since our long friendship has never tarnished d.
Say to him thai We were never better pleased
in seeing him Than at the present instance
which our courtesy shall prove''
yah, Massa, I'll ilremember-you'm m never
pleased TO see courtesy tarnished in the
present instance.
"Remain moment" And leaving the
room, he pencilled few hasty lines to the
Roy alist.
The negro rece ived the mIssve, and after
bowng low to the Major, turned his horse
and galioped away amid the oyerhangIng
boughs and darknt IS of the evening. the
royalIst mechanically allowed his eye 10
follow the retreating figure OF the hUrseman
until lie was hid from sight when he beth0' u
HIM of Captain Berkscord's proposed visit.
"What misfortune that this foolish girl
should 30 obstinately persis, in stunning the
address of The noble Captaln-by M SOU /!
| had prided myself upon being the Judge OF
a woman's character, but now | mus throw
aside all pretensions to such. Maledict:ons
upon such obstinacy. Ii this waywardness
still continues, | will see what eifec. my
authority" and then, as though recalling
some act OF affection, his tone soitened, and
he continued. But no, Mary is good girl,
and | believe loves her uncle. though at
times he does speak harshiy. | must see
her,
And with this conclusion the sturdy Sax
on arose abruptly and stepped from the ver-
anda into he Parlur. He found Mary alone,
and walking forward, he took seat near
her aad commenced the conversations:
"Marv, | have come 10 speak with you
upon matter that seriously concerns US
both. 1t is subject that | have often
broachec before, yet, unhappiy, We could
never come to a complete understanding. II
Is concerning Captain Berksiord and his
proposal lor your hand
The uncle paused and regarded the mai
den. that he might note the effect of his
words. They hr produced 4 marked effect.
The rudy glow OF health upon her cheek
tursouk its place at the mention of the
name, but ere the sentence was finished, il
rushed again with double violence to the
fair features of the devoted gTl. The uncle
marked the rapid changes, and amid it he
lanc ied his eye detected slight quivering
OF the partly opened lips, and pearly tear
stealing its way down the cheek. Yet 10
words Came in answer
81 have repeated to you often. Mary, the
circumstances OF your noble fathers death
and how, when he confded you to my
charge, promised him | would guard ant
watch over you as faithfully as if yon were
my own da ghter. That pledge | trust
have thus Tar fulfilled! Nothing that woulC
promote your welfare has ever beer
neglected, ere ii in my power to grant the
request. The most lrifIng wish, were ii
ever SO slight, has been anticipated and con
ceded ere II was asked And now, Marl
could you harbor the thought that our uncle
in presenting the claims cf Captain Berks
ford, would be governed by aught except a
desire TO see you happv!"
| The young girl bowed ner head low Will,
her uncle was speaking. His argument wa.
too true-she could recognize sume act 0
love at every word he uttered, and conf lcl
ing emotions kept her silent. She ha
much sooner that her guardian had spukel
with more severity, and omitted this appea
to her duty and affections. for then sh
could have called up her nltive pride an,
spoken her will, but now she must eth e
yield to his wish, or answer in a lone simi
10 the one with which he had commence
A dreaded silence followed, but at length i
), was broken. Mary slow y raised her head
and without daring to encounter the stead
fast gaze of the Major, egan:-"Unclt
what you have said regarding the interes
you have shown in me is as you have relate
it. lean recall the many times have bee
weighed down with sorrow; and confid;n
, in you. received sweet consolation and az
. vice which would Danish all care. And the
when sickness was racking my brain, an
r all language displayed al irri'abiity an
childishness which few could brook, ca
remember how my uncle, never tired of ID
complainings, watched with all unceasin
devotedness at the bedside of bis nice.
IL. II