The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-12-04
Running The Blockade.
els Miss Bessie in?"

''Is Miss Bessie in?"
Eyes sir"
Without further question. the speaker en-
tered the house with the air Of an accus
toned visitor. The room into which h
was ushered was furnished with degree o
elegance which betokened alike wealth anc
good taste. The young man threw himsel
upon sofa. and taking from his pocket ,
telegram just received, read il with sparkling
eyes. Certainly it must have contained
good news, to judge by the expression of hi,
face. He was interrupted in his occupa
tion by soft hand upon his shoulder.
'Mr Mordaunt. l protest against youl
converting my drawing room into an office
Is your letter then, of absorbing interest 81
IL beg your pardon. Bessie said the young
man. coloring slightly ;"you entered so soft,
ly that did not hear you"
''ls that all you have to say to me?" in
quired the young lady. play fully. 81 begin
to think il was scarcely worth while to come
down.
"No, Bessie" said the young man. taking
her hand, "it is not all have to say to you.
L have come to ask you to reconsid r your
decision postponing our marriage for six
months. What good reason is there for itl"
"lt's my guardiau' s wish, Freder ric." sait
young. that we can we'll afford to wait At
ter all. it is bat short time Six months
will pass away very quickly"
ITO you. perhaps" returned the lover.
half rsproachfuIly.
"And why nol?" she retorted. playfallv.
s.For think. Frederic, they are the last six
mouths OF my independence. From that time
am to be subject TO the whims and capri
ces of a husband. am afraid they are all
sad tyrants. On second thought. it would
perhaps be better to name year"
"Would you have me commit suioide?"
"As it you we're capable OF it," she retort
cd, laughing msrrily.
You don't know what am capable Of"
said young Mordsnt. shaking his head.
"Perhaps if l did know. should be un-
willing to marry you at ALL" said Bessie.
, with saucy smile.
Frederic Mordaunt's face flushed slightly.
as il a sudden thought had crossed his mind,
but a moment afterwards he responded in
the same vein.
Halt an hour afterwards the young man
rose to GO. Bessie Graham followed him
10 the door. then. with slow and medits,ive
steps. re-entered the drawing room. As
she passed the mirror, hasty glance
was perhaps natural. Rarely has mirror
reflected back more pleasing face OF more
graceful figure. Neither perhaps was fault
less. but the face had wonderful power Of
expression. A smile fairly lighted it up.
leaving it absolutely radiant. Yet there
was something about the mouth that smiled
so sweetly. which would have assured a
careful observer that Miss Bessie had a will
Of her own when she chose to exert it. The
eyes were clear and truthful. Purity and
-. "a I'll = -
the soul. Frederic Mordaunt was not the
only one who had been won by the charms
Of the young heiress. For Bessie was an
heiress and a wealthy one. Not that she
thought Of it. The two hundred thousand
dollars which constituted her fortune. were
. poor substitute. in her eyes. for the ten
der love of her father, who had been snatch
cd from her three years before by q sudden
distempev.
Bessie was about to leave the room, when
her attention was suddenly drawn to loose
sheet OF paper which lay on the carpet at
the foot of the sofa, on which her late visit
or had been sitting. Picking it up. glance
informed her that il was telegram, and ds
ted at Halifax. Her eyes rested upon it a
moment. and almost unconciously she took
in its contents. The blood rushed TO her
cheeks. and she exclaimed. impetuously.
Good heavens! can Frederic have played
so base psrt?"
The expression Of her face was complete
ly changed. There was deep earnestness
in her eyes. but lately sparkling with mer
nv light.
"This must be enquired into. without de.
lay" she resolved. IF il is as l suspect.
oil is over between US. Yes" she repeated.
in slow and resoluts tone. "henceforth and
forever all is ever between US"
She wrote two lines upon a sheet Of note
paper, and ringing the bell hastily. said to
ths servsnt Who answered her sumons. "Do
you know Mr.. Mordsnncs ofhce?"
"Yss. Miss Bessie"
"You will convey this note thither imme
dislsly. auh place 1t in his own hand. If he
is absent. wait for him."
"fes, Miss Bessie
Mr.. Mordaunt had walked quickly ba-k
to his office. having important business
awaiting his attention. He was y young
merchant, who had the reputation Of great
shrewdnes in business matters. Some said
. he had never done better stroke Of busi
ness than in securing the affections Of the
young hsirsss. Perhaps he thought 90 him
sell. he had not been returned Eve min.
uses, when Bsssie's messenger had arrived.
note from Miss Bessie"
"lndsed!" said the young merchant ora
ciously. "give il to me-"
His iscs assumed psrplexed expression
a8ssV he had read this brief missive: