Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-01-01
RUNNING THE BLOCKADE.


grh When the Prince Of Peace Was born. .t,.
-
RUNNING THE BLOCKADE.
"Ts Miss Bessie in ?"
ID" Yes, sir" 'h
Without further question the speaker en-.
tered the house with the air OF an accustom-
ed visitor. The room into which he was
usheredfwas furnished with degree Of ele.
gance which betokened alike wealth and good
taste. The young man threw himself upon
a sofa, and taking from his pocket telegram
just received, read it with sparkling eyes
Certainly it must have contained good news,
| TO Judge by the expression Of his fsce He
| was interrupted in his occupation by soft
hand on his shoulder. mE II '..
Mr.. Mordaunt, protest against your
| converting my drawing-room into an office.
Is your letter then Of absorbing interest!"
~ beg your pardon, Bessie" said the
young man. colorng slightly; "you entered
SO softly that did not hear you" o.. -.
g Is that all you have to say to mo ?" in
quired the young lady, playfully. 81 begin
to think it was scarcely worth while to come
down." 49,. ... ..,-. . - -.
"No, Bessie" said the young man, taking
her hand, 1t is not all have to say to you.
have come to ask you to reconsider your
| decision postponing cur marriage for six
months. What good reason is there for il p" ="
"lt is my guardians wish, Fredrck," said
Bessie, more gravely. +" lie thinks that |
am so young that we can well afford 70 wait.
After all it is but short time. Six months
| will pass away very quickly" ..-.@5
| "Toyo perhaps" returned the lover half
reproschfully. -. -...,.~. ... ..%.s...
"And why not ?" she rctortcd playfuly,
"fcr think, Frederick, they are the last six
months Of my independence. From that
time / am subject to the whims and csprices
Of husband. atm afraid they are all sad
| tyrants On second thoughts it would per-
haps be better to name year"
Would you have me commit suiuide?"
Az il you were capable Of i" she rctort-
cd, laughing merrily. .s .......
You don't know what I'm capable Of"
said young Mordaunt, shaking his head.
Perhaps if did know | should be una
BILE to marry you at sIl, said Bessie, with a
saucy smile s....'s...... ~. .. ....s..
Frederick Mordaunts face flushed slightly,
rs If sudden thought had crossed his mind,
but moment afterwards he responded in the
same vein. #'E. sr
Half an hour afterwards tho young man
| rose to 60. Bessie followed him to the door,
and then with slow and mcditative steps re.
! entered the drawing room As she passed
the mirror hasty glance was perhaps nat
ural. Rarely has a mirror reflected back a
more pleasing face OF more graceful figure.
Neither, perhaps, was fauliless, but the face
had a 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 careless observer that Miss
Bessie had viii Of her own when she chose
to exert it. The eyes were clear and truth
ful. Purity and sincerity were reflected in
these mirrors Of the soul. Frederick Nor
daunt was not the only one who had been
won by the charms of the young heress.--
Bessie was an heiress, and wealthy one
Not that she thought Of it. The two hun.
dred thousand dollars that constituted her
fortune, were poor substitute. in her eyes,
for the tender love Of her father, who had
been snatched from her, three years since by
sudden dstenper. ...''.......
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 lato visitor had
been sitting. Picking it up, glance inform
ed her that it was telegram, and dated at
Halifax. Her eyes rested upon IL a moment,
and almost unconsciousy she took in its con.
tents. The blood rushed to her cheeks, and
she exclaimed impetuously, Good Heavensl
can Frederick have acted SO base parti"
The expression Of her face was completely
changed. There was a deep eaInestness in
her eyes, but lately sparkling with merry
light. This must be inquired into without
delay" she resolved. "If il be Is suspect.
all is over between us. Yes" she repeated,
in 8 slow and resolute tone, hencefoTth and
forever all is over between us.
She wrote two lines upon q sheet Of note
paper, and ringing the bell hastily, said to
the servant WHO answered her summons,
" DO you know Mr. Mordaunt's Office ="
I" Yes, Miss Bessie"
Mr. Mordaunt had walked quietly back to
his office, having important business waiting
his attention. He was a young merchant
who had the reputation of great shrewdness
in business matters. Some said he had ney-
or done better stroke of business than in
securing the affections Of the young heiress.
Perhaps he thought so himself He had not
returned five minutes when Bessie's mcssen-
ger arrived
:" A note from Miss Bessie" :a
- Indeed" said the young merchant gra.
Lclously. Give ii to me-"
"a 3Sis face assumed peFplexed expression
Rafter he had read this brief ulissive:
Will Mr.. Mordaunt favor mc with call
at his earliest convenience on matter of
great moment! b. O."
What can this mean? 2" thought Nor.
daunt. II left her but moment ago as
cordial as usual. Yet nothing can be colder
than this strange note. Your mistress is
well?" he inquired Of tho servant.
"Yes, sr, quite we'll"
Not little disturbed at this summons,
which thoroughly mystifed him, Frederick
Mordaunt, leaving business to take care Of
itself hastily returned to the house which he
had just quilted. He was shown without
delay into the presence Of Bessie. ayz
Why, Bessie" he commenced, " you
have fairly frightened me with the sudden
ness Of your summons. What"
A glance at the grave face Of the young
lady arrested the words upon his lips. 81
hope you are not il" 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 might return it in
person."
She extended the telegram.
| Frederick 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, l accidentally lst
my eye rest upon IT,"
The young mans paisness was succeeded
BY p crimson flush, but he still remained
silent. "A Il i.,t,a. So,
e Erador;rLt u, p...;a lt-.t fn.l =: