The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-12-04
VOL. XXXLII.


o daunt. 81 left her but a moment ago, as
cordial as usual. Yet nothing can be cold
9 er than this strange note. "Your mistress is
0 welI!'' he inquired Of the servant.
. Eyes, sir. quite WELL.
D Not little disturbed at this summons.
: which thoroughly mys,iied him. Frederic
Mordaunt. leaving business to take care Of
itself. hastily returned to the house which
be had just quilted. He was shown without
delay. into the presence of Bessie.
"Why, Bessie" he continued, you have
: fairly frightened me with the suddenness o
your summons. What"
A glance at the grave face of the young
lady arrested the words upon his lips. 81
hope you are not ill.," he said in changed
8 voice.
You left something behind you. -
said Bessie. quietly, (Which | thought
might be Of importance. l have, therefore
judged it best to send for you, that l might
return it in person"
She extended the telegram.
Frederic Mordaunt turned suddenly pale
He mechanically reached out his hand and
took the paperr.
II have an apology to make" Bessie con
tinued, in the same cold tone. ''Not aware
f that it was of importance. l accidently let
my eye rest upon it,
r The young mans paleness was succeeded
by a crimson flush, but he still remained
silent
"Fredericl" Bessie burst forth. in chang.
ed tone. sis this dreadful thing true? Have
you really been false to your country. and
deliberately engaged in furnishing aid and
comfort to the enemy? gather from this
telegram that through an agent in Halifax,
you have fitted ont cargoes to run the block
ade Is this sol''
The young mans eye quailed before her
searching glance. Forgive me, Bessie" he
entreated. land will faithfully engage new
er a. ain SO to forget my self"
| "Forgive you! it is not me you have Of
Tended, but your country"
| IL will give halt the proceeds to the San.
itary Commssion-nay, the WHOLE" said
Frederic. deprecatingly.
THAT cannot repair the evil
"You are hard upon me, Bessie" said the
young man, a little resentfully. IL am not
the only oLe who has been engaged in his
business. 1t is wrong. admit. but 1t is not
the worst thing q man can do
VERY nearly" returned B-ssie. gravely.
"Listen, Frederic Mordaunt," she contin
ued. rising. and looking down upon him
like an accusing angel. Three mohths
ago. word cams to me that my cousin, who
was my early plsy-fellow ana always dear
to me, fell upon the battle e-held fighting
bravely. Do you think, in my sorrow for
him, that have not remembered with In
dgnation. those who have caused and who
perpetuate this unhappy war? Yet [
could almost envy him his fate. He never
proved recreant to hon or. and false to his
country. His memory will ever be held
sacred in my heart. Think. Frederick Nor
dsunt how many thousand have fallen like
him-how many heart has been made
desolate-how many a hreside is wrapped
in sadness."
"rhat is true. but am l responsible for
all this ?"
"1heir blood is upon your hands, Frede-
ric Mordaun., said Bessie. sternly." You
and such as you. who betray your country
for little paltry gain-who furnish the
rebels with means Of prolonging their uu-
righteous contest-are guilty OF all the extra
bloodshed and suffering which must neces-
sarily result. Shame on you. frederic
Mordaunt! And you call yourself loyal!
have more respect for an open enemy,
than for secret traitor
Bessie" said the young man. thorough
ly Inundated. Il will not seek to defend
"
you may require; only do not be too hard
upon me-"
II hope you will make such reparation as
YOU, conscience exscts. For me, l will not
venture to dictate. You are not respons-
BILE to me any further than you are to all
who have the welfare of their country at
heart"
surely yes." said the young man. his
heart sinking with a new apprehension.
"The relation between Us will justify you in
any demand. You have only to express
your wishes"
"The relation to which you refer has
ceased" said Bessie. coldly. IL give you
back your promise"
H ou cannot mean it," said young Nor
daunt, in accents of earnes, entreaty. "Say
that you do not mean it,"
1T is best so,'' said Bessie. II was mis-
taken in you. thought you a man of the
strictest honor--I do not think-but what
need to proceed? Providence has willed
that my eyes should be opend. Let the
past be forgotten"
s.Do not cast me off without moments
reflection" urged Frederic. more aud mors
desperately. "Give me time. and l will
satisfy you of my sincere repentance"
"Iheartily hope you will. frederic. The
interest that have feII Tor you Will not per-
mi, me to say less. But if you have a
thought that any change which time viii!
oriug will shake my resolution. put it away
at once Where have opce lost my re-
spect, / can no longer love. Within the
last hour the whole plan of my life seems 10
have changed. Ny love for you has gone.
never to return. 1t is best that You shoald
krowit. I sincerely hope that you may
awake to full sense of the disgrace you
have involved yourself, and may seek
to repair ii il possible. Should such be the
case. my good opinion of you may in time
be restored. Do not seek for mole"
Frederic Mordaunt took his hat slowly.
and left the room. He lei, that it would
be useless to urge his suit further. There
was that in the expression and tone of Bss-
sic Graham, which warned him that it would
be in vain. Even in tha, hour. perhaps The
loss of the fortune which the heiress would