The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1858-02-25

not even the beautiful heiress, in honor
of whom the party had been made, and
to whom Louis Meredith was said to be
affianced, could divide the honors of BELLE
ship with her. 1t had been well known
throughout the village that Beatrice and
Louis had been engaged, and the fact of
her separation equally well understood /;
but though she was narrowly watched,
no look or gesture betrayed that she had
been moved by the sundering of the tie.
She was surrounded by admirers she
had a smile for this one, command for
a second, and merry words for others !;
and as if attracted by some irresistible
charm, Louis Meredith lowered near her
even when talking with his afiianced
bride, Thcrese Bene,lict-he heard every
word that fell from Beatrice's lips, and
saw her every motion. His eye flashed
angriy as he saw her smilingly receiving
the attention offered her, and contrasted
her manner towards all with the careless
"good evening" with which she met him ;
her cheek had not flushed at his greeting,
her hand had not tremblcd in his grasp,
and he was piqued by her evident indif-
ference; he was jealous, too, and almost
gnashed his teeth with rage when he saw
her apparently listening with the deepest
attention to the half whispered words of
Ralph Mercer, the only son of their host
the weathiest man in the village
Iouis looked at Beatrice and then at
Thercse; the one poor village school
teacher, and the other the wealthy daugh-
ter of distinguished lawyer; and he
could not but acknowledge how far su-
perior in beauty, grace, and talent, was
the humble teacher he had discarded to
his afiianced bride. His eyes were open
ed He knew that he still loved Beat
rice, and that without her money The
rcse would be utterly Indifferent to him.
He could bear it no longer. He stole as
soon us possible to Beatrice's side, and
said q few words on her coquetry and
heartlessness. She turned her large
flashing eyes full upon him with look
of contempt.
Mr.. Meredith forgets HIMSELF she
replied coldly; his opinion is utterly
Indifferent to me. What right has he to
criticise my conduct 7" She waved her
hand in token of dismissal; and he left
her, with a strange mixture of love and
anger in his heart as he saw her again
the centre Of circle of admrers--tull
of life and animation; the hours flew rap
idly, and when at last the gay company
departed, Louis saw, with bitter Jealousy,
that Ralph Mercer was the devoted at
tendant of his discarded Beatrice; and
he sought his home, angry with himself
and with the world
The excitement of the evening was
over, and alone in her chamber, Beatrice
thought Of all that passed. She had tri-
umphed; but, alas what an aching
heart had been hidden under that gay ex-
terror! She had loved Louis Meredith
with all the ardor of her passionate but
reserved nature, and not SO easily could
she thrust him from her heart. The
struggle to appear happy, to deceive all
about her with a show of Indifference,
was too much for her. She longed to be
away, and right gladly she accepted a
lucrative offer to take charge of school
in the large town of Montford, where she
might escape the sight of Louis, the re-
ports Of his approaching marriage and
the argus eyes of a whole village. Mrs.
Lancaster made no objection to the pro-
posed removal, and ere long Beatrice and
her mother left Langdon forever.