Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-12-03
to treat thus lightly. The moment of choos


is an emotion which flows from the heart
and is far beyond the control of cur will
i am aware that Captain Berksford has paid
me the ighest compliments tina: can be
shown TO cur sex-yet | can never return
his altachment-I could never love him as |
would wish to love a husband, ard | had
; hoped that my demeanor hal told him as
much, since / would sooner not pain him
with direct refusal, could it be evaded. 1t
is true, the CAPITA in is gallant as well as
courteous, and this will secure for him some
congen;al companion who will love and re-
spect him.
Nov Mary, this is sheer nonsense. Cap
tain Berksford loves you, as you we're never
loved before, or ever will be again, and you
may just as easily be that congenia compan-
ION, who is 10 love and respect him, as MOI.
lis not freq-eni occurrence that young
lady has an offer Of marriage frorisa man.
brilliant alike for his intellect and courage;
to say nothing of the Captains handsome
features and winning way, and when such a
prize is presented, she ought not to trample
it beneath her feet. Now, Mary bear IN
mind, that am better consersant with the
world than You, and therefore You ought not
to throw aside my advice. Nay, it is your
duty to consult my wish as much as your
own, Tor think have your well being as
much at heart as you do yourself"
! But, uncle you are deceived. Captain
Berkstord is perhaps as gallant and cour-
teouS as he is handsome, yet, with all this
he possesses neither generosity no gratitude.
With such d man ] will never marry, unless
it be against my will"
l his spirited reply Of Mary was entirely
unexpected by her uncle, and he looked to
her face, hoping to perceive some sign that
would show relentment for this hastiness,
but he gained nothing.
"This. then, is the work Of this traiterous
yeung Raymond! He is the one ! am TO
curse for this GisobeJience and misery in
stIl.ed with nois me treaciiery to the very
centre OF my iireside. had never dreamed
when | Was admitting the sturdy country
boy as an inmate OF our family, that he
would turn against me, and crush out the
last tlickering hope vi my lie. He it is that
is to teach, my own ward the way to o5edi-
ence-aG obedience that is to turn against
her uncle just at the moment that he re-
quires her affection and youthful arm 20
cheer him alo Ig his dreary path to the
grave. And this comes from my once inno-
cent Mary, who nov accuses Cap ain Berks-
lord with want OF generosity and graii-
! ude.
Tho Mainr could zraaI- N;,I
a sudden energy, he arose, from his seat,
and walking from the ro IN, left his wretched
niece, to indulge in her grief.
Scarcely had the uncie's footsteps passed
away, ere Mary heard Il ru-tliug of leaves
immediately above her window and heavy
noise, as of person leaping from the tree
to the ground. immediately she arose from
her seat, and was proceeding to escape from
she room, when a strange, but not disagree
able voice arrested her attention.:
"Wait minute, Miss, I'd Ike to see ye."
the same power which had prompted her
10 fly from danger, now comps lied her to re-
main, and i'll moments time the window
was darke ned, ana an individual stepped
from the easement 10 the floor. This was
lad Of perhaps fifteen, ruggedIy built, bold
features, and witha!., wearing look of hon.
est candor and rough gentility that was far
from unPleasng.
What do yoqeVish here. young man!"
at length asked t6esurprised M4ry.
"Is this Meadowdale Huuse!" continued
the boy.
Yes. this is Meadowdale''
IN ejur DawsoA's placep'
"Ies."
':Theo, mebby, I've got some business
/ here"
But you nave taken somewhat uncere-
monious way of announcing yourself"
| No, Miss, didn't announce myself at
/ ALL thought, perhaps, | could DO my err
rand better in another wav''
"Bui it is my uncle, undoubtedly, that
| you wish to see-I will go and call him."
| mo don't. 1t amt your uncle wanttto
see. Il's somebody else. Isn't there
young chap living in these parts, by the
name OF Henry Raymond!"
No wonder the blood rushed :he 10 temples
OF the the listener at the mention of that
name, or that the beautiful girl turned away
her head 10 hide confusion which might
prove the tell-tale OF her pure and ardent
/ love.
Good! guess I've hit on the right track -
exclaimed the boy with degree Of enshusi-
asm that showed a heavy load had been re-
moved from his mind. ii ron'; tn ink I'm
mistaken though wasn't tod to say that.
You won't think hard of me for it, Miss, will
yet o! ly wanted 10 be sure that it was
you, and no mistake, though he told me you
WAS the prettiest and sweetest looking lady
| ever saw, and might have known you by
that"
And at these. rough yet courteous words.
the boy took his cap from is head and tax
ing from its lining a carefully sealed letter,
+ handed it out.
Mary received the profered missive, and
/ ere she had broken it open, her heart had
anticipated is author. She hastily tore
| away the seal and read the contents--it as
, from Henry Raymond, and read as follows:
"MAEY:..This letter may not fall into
r your HANDS, therefore, must be guarded in
what say. There is difficult Undertaking
to Oe uPteu--ont thdt Pe'lIs llpeTty anu
even life. and am the persGn chosen to
execute it, yet have confidence Of being
successful. | cannot Bee you again for some
). time,-perhaps weeks-yet rest assured that
I at the first hour OF liberty shall be at
d Meadowdale, and then exp!ainevery-
n thing. Do not fear for me---rhe though,
? Of Liberty, and my own strong arm will
: carry me through every danger.
n Yours ever and orly,
A HENRY"
4 Mary turned hastily around 10 question
n the boy, but he was gone. The family, were
v fast retiring, and, with a mind filled with
. trouble oyerhowing at her uncIe's ha!shness
!, and .Henry's danger, she sought her OWE
rnnrn To nnan III rni,nh IL o mint