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

meet him; then resuming her olden state
ly manner, she received him with dignity
and sank into her seat. He had seen ant
hoped much from her emotion.
"Beatrice !' he exclaimed, unable tt
restrain himself, "thank God, ! see you
once more alone. How | have longeC
for this opportunity. Nay, Beatrice, >
he said, as she was about to speak, "you
must hear mel love you with my whole
heart and soul-with love such as no
other can offer you. Will you be mine -
She looked at him coldly.
"Mr. Meredith has doubtless been mis-
informed she said "My uncle is
wealthy but | am not his Heiress p
"Cruel as your words are, | deserve
Them" he said, "for my dastardly con-
duet long ago. But hear me, was
young, proud, and poor; daily stung
by my poverty-cramped by it-strug-
ling vainly to overcome the obstacles it
placed in my way-just then my evil
genius threw Theresa in my way. Her
evident partiality for me flattered me, her
wealth dazzled me, and in an unlucky
moment yielded to temptation, and Sc
cured her, but lost you. No sooner was
it done than | regretted it. Even then,
had you treated me less proudly, less
contemptuously, l would have resigned
her and claimed you; but / felt you
would have none of me, and blindly |
was led on to marriage without love, l
never ceased to love you Beatrice even
when my wifc's arms were twined around
me, and her voice whispering tender
words in my ear, your form would glide
between us, and | cursed the fate that
had taken you from me. But yet | was
kind husband to Thercse-so she and
all the world said, l paid her all the
attention due to her. | gave all but my
heart, and that was always yours. AT
last she died and left me all her wealth.
| was free, and at last my heart turned
to you. l then sought You everywhere,
and at last have found you. God be
praised that you are poor, so that | may
prove my disinterested attachment to
you. | offer you my heart, hand and for
tune; offer you love that has increas-
ed in feryor every year. Be mine, Bea-
trice-wy wife," he took her hand as he
spoke; she withdrew it instantly.
Louis Meredith" she said, "1 give
Won credit for rare candor. Few would CON
ess that they soll themselves for money. But
how dare You cfer me the wages of your shame"
Her eyes flashed fire "Never, sir, would be-
come the wife of bastard, such as you declare
YOURSELF you have my answer"
She turned to leave the room, but he prevent
ed her.
Beatrice" he said, know you well; for
give you your cruel words, for it is your pride
forbade you to show any regret at your separa-
ton. In your heart of hearts you love me even
now, when with bitter words in your pride, you
send me from you. Your eyes sparkled at my
coming Beatrice, your heart plead for me when
your resolutc will stilled its voice. Oh do not,
my Beatrice, for such a hollow triumph, prepare
a lifetime Of misery for yourself and me-
She drew up her tall figure to its full hight
"Yes Louis Meredith, did love you once"
she said, land blush to own II; | loved you for
what thought you were--a noble and true man,
1t was the ideal, not the real man that | loved.
Thanks TO YOU, you opened my eyes--loDg since
| ceased to love you, and you could hatter your
self that you had power to move me. No, sir,
your coming could neither bring the blood to my
cheeks, quicken my pulses, or make my heart
beat did start at your entrance, but 1t was
because expected momentarily the entrance of
him whom do love with my whole heart-my
affianced husband--whose step hear even now
approaching Remain if you choose, will show
YOU a man, such as you must become ere yen
win the heart of true woman. Forgive me, If
have been too harsh Bnt learn this lesson, that
he who sells himself fer money, sinks below the
level of man, and forfets all claim to be treated
as such"
Without word l.ouis Meredith bowed and
withdrew, ssdder if net a better man, as the
bctrothed Of Beatrice entered the apartment.
A few weeks later in th0se spacious parlors,
surrounded by her friends, Beatrice gave her hand
where she had long since given her heart. Never
had she locked so lovely as now, when, with holy
confidence, she entrusted her happiness to the
keeping of the man OF her choice, and never, dur
ing long life of mingled prosperity and ADVERSE
ty, did she have occasion to regretit Their love
was founded on u rock and though the ram de-
scended and the floods came, and the winds blew,
it fell not for it rested on the sure foundation of
trust in each other and in God.