Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-09-03


and shawl, she walked firmly out of the room
She went rapidly on till she reached low,
white cottage; she entered it, and passed
quickly through the little sitting-room to her
own apartment Here she took from an in
laid box a package of letters. and adding that
she had last received to the number, she has
tily collected every memento. however triHing,
which had been the gift Of Louis Meredith,
and placed them securely together in readi-
ness to return to him. Then carefully ar
ranging her toilet she returned to the sitting
room. An old lady. dressed with scrupulous
nicely. was its only occupant; she was quiet
ly knitting The table was spread for the
evening meal, and she had been evidently
waiting for her daughters return.
"You are late Tonight, Beatrice, she said,
"but | suppose Louis came for You to walk.
1t is so foolish TO take such unreasonable
hours for his walks. Tea has been waiting
this half hour
II am sorry to have kept you waiting so
long, mother. returned her daughters silvery
voice "but those long walks will trouble you
no longer. Louis Meredith and have parted
forever
The old lady dropped her knitting-work in
her lap, and looked at her daughter in aston
ishment. At length she spoke
"Oh, ! sec lovers quarrel. But you
will make it up in a day or two, and be all
the happier for it, Well, well-better disa-
gree before than after marriage"
Mother" said Beatrice. "listen to me-
shall never marry Louis Meredith. Nothing
on earth could induce me to do so. As said,
we are parted forever and now let me beg
you never again to mention his name to me
/ let the subject never again be alluded TO be-
tween us; let all he as if we had never known
him" Her voice soncned. "You will not be
sorry mother dear. to have your Beatrice
again all your own and she took her par
ents shriveled hand fondly between her own.
Mrs Lancaster was touched by this express
sion of tenderness for Beatrice, although
most devoted daughter in fact the only sup
port of her poor and widowed mother, rarely
made any demonstration of her attachment,
and this caress slight as it was, filled the
mothers heart with JOY. She drew her child
to her side. and kissed her tenderly but Bea-
trice escaped from her embrace. and saying
cheeriully, Are we never to have supper =
led the way to the table. She talked galy
during the meal, and though she ate little,
succeeded in Withdrawing her mothers at
tenton from her want Of appetite
Not the most watchful eve could have de-
tected a shade Of sadness in her face or man
ner that evening indeed she was gayor than
usual. No wonder that her MOTHERHOOD,
unobservant soul--beievcd that she wa. hap
py in her release from the tie that had bound
her.
A few evenings had passed, and Beatrice
stood in little sitting-room d.essed for a
party Never had she looked more beautiful
than now. in her simple white dress, with its
crimson ribbons, and a red rose bud in her
hair. Mrs. Lancaster looked at her in admi-
ration nor was she alone in her appreciation
of her child's ovelness.
She was the belle of the evening at Mrs.
MERGERS, and not even the youthful heiress,
in honor of whom the party had been made.
and to whom Louis Meredith was said to be
afanced, could divide the honors of belle
ship with her.
1t had been we'll known throughout the
village that Beatrice and Louis had been en-
gagged, and the fact Of their separation was
equally we'll understood; b0t though she
was narrowly watched, no look OF gesture be-
trayed that she had been moved by the sun
dering Of the tic.
She was surrounded by admirers she had
a smile for this one, a command for a second.
and merry words for others and as if at
tracted by some irresistible charm, Louis
Meredith hovered near her-eyen when talk
ing with his affianced bride, Theresa Bene-
dict, he heard every word that fell from Bea-
trices, and saw her every motion.
His eyes flashed angrily as he saw her
smilingly receiving the attentions offered her,
and contrasted her manner towards all with
the careless good evening with which she
met him her hand had not trembled in his
grasp, and he was piqued at her evident in
difference he was jealous, too, and almost
gnashed his teeth with rage when he saw her
apparently listening with the deepest atten-
ton to the half-whispered words of Ralph
Mercer, the only son of their host--the
wealthiest man in tho village.
Louis looked at Beatrice, and then at The
resa--the one poor village school teacher
and the other wealthy daughter of dis
tingushed lawyer-and he could but acknowl-
edge how far superior. in beauty, grace and
talent, was the humble teacher he had dis
carded to his affianced bride.
His eyes were open. He knew that he
still loved Beatrice, and that without her
money Theresa would have been utterly in
different to him.
He could bear it no longer. lie stole as
soon as possible to Beatrice's side, and said
few words on her coquetry and heartlessness,
She turned her large flashing eyes full upon
him with look of contempt.
"Mr. Meredith iorgets himself, she re-
piled coldly; ''his opinion is utterly indif-
ferent to me. What right has he to criu-
else my conduct !"
She waved her hand in token of dismissal
and he left her, with strange mixture of
love and anger in his heart as he saw her
again-the centre of circle of admirers
full Of life and animation. The hours flew
rapidly, and when at last the gay company
departed. Louis saw with bitter jealosy that
Ralph Mercer was the devoted attendant 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 had passed She had triumphed
but. alas, what an aching heart had been hid
den under the gay exterior
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 show Of indii-
ference. was too much for her. She longed
to be away, and right gladly she accepted
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