Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-04-28

His face assumed perplcxcd express
sion after he had read this brief missive (.
I" Win Mr.. Mordaunt favor NE with a
call at his earliest convenience on mat
ter Of great Importance 2"
"B. G."
"What can this mean ?" thought Nor
daunt. Yet nothing can be colder than
this strange note. Your mistress is well p
he inquired of the servant.
q" Yer sir, quite well
Not little disturbed at this summons,
which thoroughly mystifed him. Fred
eric Mordaunt, leaving business to take
care of itself, hastily returned to the
house which he had just quilted. He
was shown without delay in the presence
of Bessie.
I" Why, Bessie" he commenced, you
have fairly frightened me with the sud
denness of your summons. What
A glance at the grave face of the Young
lady arrested the words upon his Inns g
" l hope you are not i'll, he said in a
changed voice.
" You left something behind YOU
said Bessie, quietly, which l though,
might be of Importance. have there.
fore thought it best to send for you that
| might return it in person"
She extended the telegram.
Frederic Mordaunt turned suddenly
pale. He mechanically reached out his
hand and took the paper
- have an apology to make" Bessie
continued in the same cold tone. "Not
aware that it was of importance, / acci-
IDENTIFY let my eyes rest upon it,"
The young mans paleness was sue
ceedcd by crimson flush, but he still
remained silent.
" Frederic - Bessie burst forth, in a
changed tone, is 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 out
cargoes to runthe blockade. Is this so p
The young mans eye quailed before
her searching glance. "Forgive me,
Bessie, he entreated, land | will faith
fully engage never again to forget myself.
" Forgive you 1t is not me you have
offended, but your country"
9 | will give half the proceeds to the
Sanitary Commission nay, the whole ,
sad Frederic depreciatingly.
= That cannot repair the evil"
Z" You are hard upon me, Bessie" said
the young man, a little resentfully. 81
am not the only one who has engaged in
this business. 1t is wrong, | admit. but
1t is not the worst thing a man can do"
Very nearly, returned Bessie, grave.
ly. Listen, Frederic Mordaunt," she
continued rising, and looking down upon
him like an accusing angel. "Three
months ago word came that a cousin, who
was my early playfellow and always deal
to me, fell upon the battlefield fighting
brayely. DO you .sah,ink, in my sorrow
for him, that | have y remembered with
indignation those who caused and who
perpetuate this unhappy war? Yet
could almost envy him his fate. Ht
never proved recreant to honor and falls,
to his country. His memory will ever b,
held sacred in my heart Think, Freduri,
Mordaunt, how many thousands hav,
fallen like him--how many heart ha
been made desolate--how many fircsid,
is wrapped in sadness
That is true; but am responsible fol
all this?'
Their blood is upon your hands
Frederic Mordaunt, said Bessie, sternly
You and such as you, who betray YOU
country for little paltry gain-who fur
nish the rebels with the means of pro
longing their unrightous contest-ar,
guilty of all the extra blood shed and suf
ferlng which must necessarily result
Shame on you Frederic Mordaunt! Ant
you call yourself loyal have more re
spect for an open enemy than for secre
traitor
Bessie said the young man, thor
oughly humiliated, Il will not seek to de
fend myself ! will make any reparatiol
that you may require. Only do not b,
hard upon me-
i hope you will make such reparatior
as your conscience exacts. For me,
will not venture to indicate. You arr
not responsible to me any farther than yo,
are to all who have the welfare of thei
country at heart
Surely yes, said the young man.. hi
heart sinking with new apprehension. =
The relation between us will Justify 70,
in any demand. You have only to c1
press your wishes
The relation to which you refer ha
ceased, said Bessie coldly. L give 20,
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 i wa
mistaken in you. l thought you man o
the strictest honor | did not think
But what need to proceed? Providence
has willed that my eyes should be opened
Let the past be forgotten
Do not cast me off without moment
reflection, urged Frederic, more and NOR
desperately. Give me time and will
satisfy you of my sincere repentance
l heartily hope you will, Frederic. -
The interest that | have felt in you viii
not permit me to say less. But if 20,
have thought that any change whicl
time will bring will shake my resolutio,
put it away at once. Where have ono
lost my respect | can no longer love-
Within the last hour the whole plan 0
my life seems to have changed.
My love for you has gone, never to re
turn. 1t is best that you should know it
| sincerely hope that you may awake to
full sense of the disgrace in which yor
have involved yourself, aud may seek a
far as possible to repair it, Should sucI
he the case my good opinion of you ma
In time be restored. Do not seek fo
more.
Frederic Mordaunt took his hat slowly
and left the room. He felt that it vcul