The mountain Democrat., 1864-03-19
CHAPTER II.

It's the most confounded, the most ex-
traordinary caprice that ever entered into
. woman's fancyP
So spake Jack Walsingbam, as, with
his hands thrust into his pockets, and his
back to the fire, he confronted the sympa-
thizing faces of his cousin, Miss Beau
champ, and his friend, Horace Vaughan.
'COnfounded-is it unfounded, Jack ?
asked Miss Beauchamp, quietly.
Unfounded why, of course it is
Haven't looked all my life to marrying
Rosie p
Yes, that's just it; she thinks it's mere
habit-the knowledge that you were al.
ways meant fo- one another, and not real,
actual love on your part
Real, actual love what does the child
mean? At least can say this-if / do
not know actual love for Rosamond,
never knew it for ary other woman
Did you tell her sot
OF course told her so; but all could
say was so much wasted breath. be
lieve the poor little thing has taken it into
her head she is doing generous thing by
me in giving me up, and that's half the
meaning of the matter
He looked so comically perplexed that
Miss Beauchamp was moved to say i
should like to know whether you really
care, jack
Really care, Harriet Well, l must
indeed have been wanting in much, If you
entertain that doubt! suppose have
not, Of course | can't have been a very
adoring lover; have been so accustomed
to think Of RoSamond as belonged to me,
that I've been careless IN asserting my
ownership. But, ah cousin have my
own thoughts of home and fireside,
perhaps, and Rosie's pretty golden head
making sunshine in the dark old house
you and | used to call home once and q
man doesn't part with these without sort
of wrench, my dear, little as you may be-
lieve it of me-
Jacks voice grew husky, and Miss
Beuuchamp, being a warm hearted and
frank lady, Immediately rose from her
seat, and putting her hands on his should
ers, kissed him.
Mr.. Walsingham returned the salute
with great deal of heartiness.
Horace Vaughan stared.
'Heyday! good people; pray, don't put
any restraint upon yourselves; don't LEI
me be in your way for an instant, beg.
MY dear old Jack ask your par
don with all my heart y said Miss Beau
champ. not in any way regarding her be
trothed's remark; 4 ought to have knowr
you better. But that silly little Rosie
must be brought to her senses, for know
she loves you dearly all the while. Hor
ace, what's to be done i
Cant say indeed. The difficulty seem!
to me that Jack is such horribly pros
porous fellow. Something in the way o
a good misfortune would 60 long way
towards setting matters right, in my opin
ion. II, for instance, Jack could have
frightful illness. or be smashed in rail
way accident, lose an eye-or-or-breaI
his back, or something of that sort,
haven't the least doubt Miss RosamOnt
would fee to his bedside, nurse him will
the most charming devotion, and insiS
upon marrying him, whether be woulC
or not
Bless her heart! do you think sht
would p Mr. Walsingham said very
! tenderly.
Il feel certain she would. don't doub
that Miss Darlington has formed her ide;
of how q man in love should condNct HIM
self upon the model Of the popular move
hero; and is not that the line of conduc
the heroine Of the said novel has Away!
adopted, ever since Jane Eyrie cSpouscC
/ H. HI I,1inl al 81
Horace is right; it is the very thing
Jack, you must have misfortune! crieC
Miss Beauchamp with great energy.
Mr.. Walsingham looked not over eager
TO perceive the necessity.
'Yes-adversity' the thing!' Miss Beau
champ went on. Remember what tho
poet says, my dear Jack {: Adversely
like the toad, ugly and venomous, wear
yet precious jewel in his head.
Decidedly ugly, if it's to come in tn
shape of railway smash, Mr.. Walsing
ham repliaS, obviously caressing b
whiSkers. Il say Horace, can't it be some
thing short Of that p
Miss Beauchanp looked up at her cous
ms stately strength and comliness. =
Horace, if you please, l can't have Jacl
diSfigured not permanently but a vast
ing illness might be judiciously employed
perhaps. have heard of such things, il
books
Faith! suppose I'm very stupid;
cant say COMPREHEND
My good fellow, you are stupid, Mr.
Vaughan remarked. From the bed o
wasting sickness, you can indite mos
touching Garwell, and beseech last inter
view, and who
NO! I'll be hanged if can, interrupted
Mr.. Walsingham, most emphatically. 4
couldn't play with any woman's feeling:
in that way; couldn't owe my wife to &
trick, Harriet
'Ah! thought your impracticable hon
esty would come in the say presently,
said Miss Beauchamp, trying hard not t(
laugh. Well Horace. what's to be dones
we must wait in humble hope for the
misfortune, since Jack won't allow US tC
expedite matters or for that not very i'm
probable event Of lady's changing heI
mind, answered Mr.. Vaughan.
IF | were in Jacks place it would be
long before I would ask Miss Darlington
to change it, said Miss Beauchamp, ener.
getically.
w onld it, my dear?' asked Jack, look
ing at her rather wistfully; and yet you
are in love with Horace here, or be thinks
you are
AT any rate he hopes the best, return
ed that gentleman. But what has that
to do with it3'
Nothing. perhaps; only l was think
ing of some old words; Love suffereth
long and is kind Mr.. Walsingham said
simply.
CHAPTER Ill.
Rosamond Darlington was seventeen, a
IL e