Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1858-07-16

eA BELIEF" sneered Meredith; al detest the
whole tribe Of empty headed coquetts.'
i sits plain you haven't seen the belle oi
Montford," reioined Irving. "You'ye read
Blanca, have'nt youi''
..Yes, have, and it surely was gIorioss
work"
eWelI, our belle wross that. ~
ssIndeed!'' said MeFedith. with start, and
a look of animation that made his fine bat
impassive featuresdoablg beautiful then re-
llapsing into has cid maRneFhe said, - belle!
From all iaE bedaubed danes, good Lord de-
liver us.'s
81 see that yor are determined not to be
pleased with anything" !" said his comPaRioos
.sRat I'll defy yea 10 resist our belle aud blue,
fif you bua see her. Willyougo to the party
o. not Say yes or no, Louis, for must
dismiss you rather unceremoniouslY,. as I
have business engagement at four, and. i
lacks only quarter Of that hour
s'Yes, them" yawned Louis, az he slowly
sauntered off.
Mrs. Bgelew's splendid pariers were a
blaze or light as the two gentlemen entered
that evening, and paid their respects to their
hostess. AT little distance IRON her stood
q yeung and qneenlF looking girl. talking
gaily with a knot OF gentlemeB;- she was
richly attired, and her robe of rose-eoiored
sills eeatrasled. we'll with her clear olive
eonPiexioW She did not observe the new
eouiers till they had l,ined the group around
her; then, with easy elegance. she welco,n.
ed Mr.. irving, aRd bowed with much grace
re Mr.. Meredith on his Introduction to Miss
| Lancaster. 1
For oAce Louis he redsEir was startled out
Of kis ssual apathy. s.Beatrice," trembled
or his kps; for it was she, more lovely, if
possible than when be saw her ise years be-
lore. Could it be that she was the author
Of that woaderfsl book that had thrilled the
heastsof nslionl He could hardly believe
the evidence Of his own senses and bewlId-
cred by his, emotions, he stood speechless
for few moments. Fhen recovering him.
self, he was again the polished mart of the
world.
Beatrice, neiyteF BY words or loolk betray-
ed her recollection of lim, and he did not
venture TO recall the past. She treated hisn.
with easy politeness. ard be, half Yexed at
the power she bad over his, yet enable 10.
resist her fascination, was az constant upon
her as her shadow during the whole epen-
ing.
HIS friends rallied hitza orr his scrrendcr to
the belle and the blue, and Louis said but lit
tie in reply; but from time TO time he was
u constant visitor at Mrs. Bgele~ 81. where
Beatrice, since the death OF her mother, had
resided. WiIh Mrs. BigeIow he sooR be-
came favorite, but Beatrice tllongh stud-
ously polite, was equally cold; yet, notwith-
standing all her coidness, Louis was more
madiy in 1--we with her than ever.
Week alter week he liagered in M5ntford
and at every opportunity he was at her 81 lie.
She appeared utterly unconscious of his de-
votion, and by her manner etfectualIy pre-
vented his utte.ing any expression of affec
ton. He longed to. yet dared not, learn his
fa:e, and in aIternations OF hope and fear
passed his time.
At last, he could not bear it any longer;
he resolved TO know the worst, aud went
one AFTERNOON to see her, with the dctermin-
alton to offer his hand and his heurt. For
tune favored him; she was alone in the Ii
brary, and he shown there at once
She was sitting with her head little turned
aside as he entered. but he saw the bloud
rush to ber cheeks, and her eye sparkle, aud
she was half started forward to meet him;
then resuming her olden, stately manner. she
received him with dignity, and sank into her
chair. He had seen and hoped much from
her emotion.
sBeatrice!'' he exclaimed, unable to res
train himself, '.thank Gsd, | see you once
more alone. How have longed for this
opportunity. Nay, Beatrce,' he said, as
she was about to speak, "you must hear me.
love you with my whole heart and soui-
with a love such as no other can offer you.
VIII you be mined,
She looked at him coldIy-
s.Mr. Meredith has doubtless been misill-
formed" she said; 'smy uncle is wealthy,
but am MT his heiress.''
''Cruel as your wordsare, deserve them,''
he said, ''for my dastardly conduct years ago.
But hear me; was young, proud, and poor,
daily stuHg by my poverty -cranped by it,
struggling valnIy Ia overcome the obstacles
1t placed in my way. Just then my evil
genius threw rnerese in ny way. Her evi-
dent Partialty for me hattered me, her
wealth dazzled me, and in an unlucky mo-
ment yielded to the temptation, aud secur-
ed her but lost you. No sooner was ii done
than regretted it. Even had you treated
have resigned her and clauned you, put K ew
that you would have none Of me, and blinfIy
was led on TO marriage without love. I
never ceased 10 love you, Beatrice; even
when my wife's arms were lwined urounI
me, aud her voice whispered tender words
in my ear, your form would glide between US |
and | cursed the fate that had taken you
from me. Bot vet was kind husband TO
Therese--so she and all the world said. /
paid all the attentlon due to her; gave her |
all but my heart, and that was always yours.
..At last she died, and left me all her
wealsh-I was free, and Instantly my heart
turned TO YOU. then sought tor you every
where, and at last found you. z
"God be praised that you are poor, SO tina,
may prove my disinterested attachment TO
you. loffer you my heart, hand and fortune.
offer you love that has incsessea in feryor
every year, Be mine my Beatrice-my
wife. %
He ,ook her hand a. be spoke; she WITH
drew it instantly.
s'Louis Meredith she said, SCI give zoo
credit for rare candor. Few would confess
that they sold themselves for money-but
how dare you offer me the wuges of your
shame!' Her eyes flashed fire. .Never
would 1 become The wife Of bastard, such
as you declare yourself; you have your an
swer.p
She turned to leave the room, but he pre-
vented her.
"Beatrice," he said 81 know you well. |
forgive you your cruel words, for your pride
forbade you to show any regret on our sep
arafiun In eo.,. lea.. ,,T -, -, ,,,,., I,,.,a