Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-03-02
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1864.
"A note from Miss Bessie


sion after he had read this brief missiye
'Wlll Mr.. Mordaunt favor me with
call at his earliest convenience on matter
OF great moment? b. G.
What can this mean?' thought Nor.
daunt. L lett her but moment ago as
cordial as usual. Yet nothing can be cold
er than this strange note. Your mistress
Is WE'LL? he inquired of the servant
Yes, sir, quite WE'LL
Not a little disturbed at this summons.
which thoroughly mystiied him, Frederic
Mordaunt, leaving business to take care of
Itself, hastily returned to the house which
he had just Quilted. He was shown with.
out delay into the presence of Bessie.
why, Bessie he commenced, you
have fairly frightened me with the sudden
ness of your summons What
A lance at the grave face of the young
lady arrested the words upon his lips. /
hope you are not ILL., he said, in changed
voice
You left something behind you,' said
Bessie, quietly, which | thought might be
of importance | 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 paper
Il have an apology to make Bessie con-
tinued IN the same cold tone Not aware
that it was of Importance, | accidently let
my eye rest upon it,
The young mans paleness was succeeded
by crimson flush, but he still remained
silent
'Fredericn Bessie burst forth. in chan
ged tone, 'is this dreadful thing true?
Have ycu 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 out cargoes to run
the blockade l. this SOP
The young mans eye quailed before
her searching g ance. Forgive me, Bes-
sie,' he entreated, and | will faithfully en-
gage never again so to forget myself
Forgive you 1t is not me you have
offended, but your country
i will give half the proceeds to the San
ltary Commission; nay, the whole, said
Frederic, deprecatingly.
That cannot repair the evil
You are hard on me, Bessie, said the
young man, a little resentfully. 4 am not
the onl man engaged in the business 1t
is wrong, | admit, but it not the worst
thing a man can do
Very nearly,' returned Bessie, gravely
listen, Frederic Mordaunt,' she continued,
rising, ahd looking down upon him like
au accusing angel. Three monyhs ago
word came to me that cousin, who was
my early play fellow and always ear to
me, fell upon the battle field fighting
bravely. Do you think in my sorrow for
him, that | have not remembered with in
dignation those who caused and those
who have perpetuated this unhappy war?
Yet | could almost envy him his fate He
never proved recreant to honor and false to
his country His memory will ever he
held sacred in my heart. Think, Frederic
Mordauut, how many thousands have fal
len like hin-how many heart has been
made desolate-how many a freside is
wrapped in sadness
That is true; bat am responsible for
all this?'
Their blood is upon your hands, Fred.
eric Mordaunt,' said Bessie, sternly You,
and such as you, who betray your country
for little paltry gain-who furnish the
rebels with the means of prolonging their
unrighteous contest-are guilty of all the
extra blood shed aud suffering which must
necessarily result Shame on you, Fred
eric Mordauutl And you call yourself
loyal! | have more respect for an open
enemy than for secret traitor
Bessie, said the young man, thoroughly
Inundated, i will not seek to defend my
self | will make any reparation that you
may require. Only do not be too hard on
me-
4 hope you will make such reparation
as your conscience exacts For me, will
not venture to dictate You are not re.
sponsible to me any farther than you are
to all who have the welfare of their coun-
try at heart
Surely yes said the young man, his
heart sinking with 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. 4 give you
back your promise
'You cannot mean it, said young Nor
daunt, in accents of earnest entreaty
Say that you do not mean it,
1T is best So said Bessie. 4 was mis-
taken in you. | thought you man of the
strctest honor | did not think. But
what need to proceed? Providence has
wiIled that my eyes should be opened. Let
the past be forgotten
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