The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-08-15
The Peril of the Law.

The Peril Of the Law.
"Amelia," said Squire Freeland to his
daughter, as they sat together near vine
embowered window of Freeland Lodge, in q
pleasant room, half library, half sportsman
cabinet; % L have now told you all-my en-
barrassments-Sir Robert Ashland's wishes
He loves you, and if you marry him your
future viii be assured while, on my part,
have little to give you, and if you neglect
this opportunity, you will be compelled to
unite yourself to some one beneath you in
rank and perhaps equally poor"
Dear father" said the beautiful girl, q
never laid any stress upon wealth or worldly
position"
" \ girls estimate OF life, my child said
I the Squire. Love in a cottage is very
pretty feature IN a poem-but even one Of
your tavorite poets tells you that when love
finds no mutton and potatoes on the cottage
table, he opens the window, flies out and off.
And what is love after ALL mean the love
that endures and sustains US through life2
1t is not the dazzling flame that so many
silly moths doth burn their wings at, but at
tachment based on reason, and strengthened
+ by use. And you, / am sure, have no silly
romantic attachment TO blind YOUR eyes to
! the solid advantages offered by Sir Roberts
suit"
! Amelia made no answer, and did not raise
her eyes from the rose she was busy in pick
ing to pieces.
Mr.. Martin, to wait upon my lady" said
a servant entering.
Sir Roberts private Secretary ~ said
the Squire. ''Hc comes on this business,
I'll be bound. Now, Amelia, think well of
your answer. I'll spoak with him moment,
and then send him to you"
Amelia rested her head upon her hand
and seemed engaged in thought, until the
opening of the door again diverted her at
tention, and the handsome Secretary of Sir
Robert Ashland stood before her. Her first
impulse was TO extend her hand with warm
Irish greeting, but the GOODNESS and almost
severity of the young mans manner check
Cd her. She therefore simply bowed, and
requested him TO be seated.
a beg your pardon, madam, bu; must
return Immediately TO Sir Robert. He bade
me say that he should have come to YOU
himself, and had set apart a half hour for
that purpose before the country meeting,
when an inCppcrtune visitor deprived MIN
Of the pleasure. lie charged me then as
his confidential Secreiary-he called me his
irisEd-to learn from your own lips the an-
swer to his suit. he could not sleep with
out knowing it.
Luke" said the young girl, gazing al
the young man earnestly, "wha, answer
shall give him: You have been an old
ir.end-a playmate--you know whether Sir
Robert iS-in word, my answer VIII de
pend on you"
The messenger turned deadly pale; he
rested his hand on the back OF chair to
sustain himself, and sank into ii. Amelia
sprank to his side.
- Good Iaayoru' ynt, ~ Nv Martin
Luke. viii ring for assistance"
Stay. | conjurc you!" said Martin al
most imperiousIy. at is nothing; mo-
mentary faintness-but it has passed away.
You ask me of Sir Robert Ashland my ben
etactor Believe me, he is the noblest OF
men. He has all the qualities TO render the
woman he loves happy, and he loves you
lie is rich-he bears an honored name.
i have done my duty" he added, 10 him
self. Then his eyes followed anxiously eve
~ movement OF the Squires daughter, as
she sat down TO an escritoire and hastily
penBed 4 note, which she handed to Martin.
The Secretary thought that there were tears
in her eyes, but her voice was firm, a she
said
"Thts note contains my final answer. l
have accepted him."
Martin could not trust himself with re-
ply. lie bowed and left the lodge. In
minute, his horses hoOfs were rapidly beat
ing the road to Ashland castle Arriving,
he tossed his bride to groom and fastened
TO meet Sir Robert in the library. He was
not there; but line from him lay upon the
table. 1t contained only the following words
"DEAR LUKE-I have gone to the county
meeting. ST up till may return--which
shall be at as early an hour as possible.
-. .r- -.t... ASHLAND"
Martin threw himself into an easy chair,
the prey to various emotions. The young
man, who was endowed with talent and SEN
siblity, was peculiarly situated. He never
knew his parents; nor whether he sprang
from lofty or all humble origin. His early
"reminiscences were Of cottage near Lon
don, where he was cared for by an old wo-
man, who ever treated him with the utmost
respect. Thence he was removed to a
boarding school, whence he was taken by
Sir Robert Asland, who having himself COM
pleted his instruction, made him his private
Secretary, and treated him rather as rela-
tive than Pretege. But the baronet gave
him distinctly to understand that he was in
no way connected with him, and that he
could not enlighten him as to his family
Thrown much into the society of Ameiia
Freeland, he had loved her in secret, but,
knowing that his future was uncertain, that
dark mystery shrouded his existence, he
resolved to conceal his passion, even II 1t
should consume his heart. In what light
Miss Freeland regarded him-whether the
pleasure she derived from his society was
warmed to degree above friendship-it is
impossible to say. Martin believed that by
avoiding her, he had succeeded in extinguish- |
ing his passion, but he discovered how COM
pletely he had deceived himself when the
open avowal of his patrons admiration for
his idol awakened all the racking pangs OF
jealousy. But he felt now that his love
must be sternly sacrificed; and he bent
himself to the task with the energy OF
martyr. And though his cheek paled day
by day, STR Robert never suspected the
cause to he hopeless passion. His selec-
ton of Martin for the delicate mission we
Lave just described is proof enough OF this.
How faithfully he performed his part we
have just seen.
He rejoiced now that his patron who was
absent, as it gave him an opportunity to raj
ly all his energies, and prepare himself 10
meet him with his wonted equanimity.
1t was very late when Sir Robert returned
He was pal and agitated, and scarcely no.
ticed his Secretary, as he threw himself into
deep cushioned chair.
Sir Robert" said the Secretary, handing
him the note, t"here is the answer Miss
Freeland sent you" ..r ~,
"Miss Freeland!" said Sir Robert, gazing
vacantly at the note. "Ah, yes! remem-
berP and he flung it unopened upon the
"Ysu are not well, Sir Robert:" said the
Secretary.