Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-01-14
THE EVENING STAR.
Mrs. BEAUcH.Mp,s VENGEANCE.
CHATTER VI.-ANorHER LETTER.

80 CHATTER VI.--ANoTHER LETTER.
a man more thorough ly worried and beaten
1never saw than poor Rackit when I called on
him half an hour after Ali his passion for
MRS Beauchamp seemed vanished, or rather
to have become changed into a savage irrita-
ton. He blamed himself; but, as usual, the
reproaches he heaped upon his wn conduct
were strong in expression but mild ia feeling.
It was on her head that the bitter Walls were
emptied. She was IA designing kypocrite !; a
demon incarnate. He didn't know what vices
might not be concealed beneath that soft exter-
ior. Why did she wish to marry him Why
persist in wishing it. when 1t was so palpable
70 the dullest mind that he didn't wish it He
had no wealth to tempt her he had no rank
he mad no fame-as yet; he had not anything
remarkable in the way OF personal attractions;
what then could she see in him 1t was clear
she had some sinister motive: Briggs was q
better match, yet Briggs had been thrown over
board Why was this Some horrible design
! suggested that he should write her a pla in
letter avowing that he was by nature unfit for
the quiet OF domestic life, and unequivocatfy
expressing his sense OF the mistake, which he
had made in ever imagining that he could settle
down. "You told her she was a beam of sun
shine, and now you can hint to he that in an
atelieT 1t Is necessary to let the blinds down to
I'M DO it," ne said and he sat down to
write. But it is no easy matter to write on such
subjects; still less easy is it to tell woman
whom You have sworn that you adore how
impossible it is thatyou can have been in your
right senses when You swore it. Rackit thurst
his disengaged hand through his redundant
locks, bit effectively the end of his pen, drew
figures on his blotting book, but could not get
beyond My dear Mrs. Beauchamp." Pres.
emily he rose, and lighted a cigarette, and then
walked up and down the room in gloomy med
itation. Occasionally a thought seemed to in
spire him, al d he sat down but when he came
70 express the thought in words, it seemed ut
terly inapplicabe, so he threw down his pen
and resumed his walk. a-ss-ssa i. z--a- ,
UTell fellow what to Saw Ia a last in
despairingIy to me. And began to help him.
We hammered out letter gpther but ii
seemed SO lame and tame that we both felt it
wouldn'tdo We tried again, but with no great
er success.
II tell you what it is" he exclaimed at
length, 81 shah cut and run: IN pack up and
go to Rome. / want to see Rome and when
she hears that have quilted England without
informing her OF my intention, i will be del
icate way of letting her know that I'ye chang
ed my mind. She will despise me. perhaps,
and abuse me- for certain but better that than
that she should marry me- -a-.
Better STILL said /, suddenly illuminated,
elf you were to write her precisely the same
letter which she wrote to Briggs; l remember
the words perfectly.
by George what good idea
I" She cannot take exception to her own sem
tirnents in her own words. you know. Ii il
was unsuitable in her to throw Briggs over as
she did, she can never pretend that you are not
equally justified ard by using her very ex-
pressions you escape all cavii.''
Say no more The thing is perfect. Johr-
son you're genius. never thought so before;
but in you common sense amounts to genius
In a few minutes the letter was written, seal
ed, and despatched by Bob.
Rackit was now in an uproarious state. He
punched me i'll the ribs, and called me his best
friend. He sang at the top of his voice A che
"a gorte ogaord, and threw such few in tc Addo,
Leonora, adiiO, that one might have imagined
him to be Marion a great coat.
In the very height of this excitement, Briggs
arrived, face flushed, eyes sparkling, hair damp
with perspiration.
"My dear fellows he said, exultingly. I'm
SO glad to find you both here. Only think YOU
remember that letter / showed you from Mrs
Beauchampl Well-it's all fam! It's the
First OF April she has been making April fools
of u.s."
ssYou don't say 2"
"Fact. Look here. When she sent the letter
here by messenger-the one i read % you
she sent this other TO my club: Listen," and he
read aloud, So Dearest John, at the time write
this note TO you, 1 send another, and a very
qRs s g ee ySf RY n5 Hr R aS
LOOK at the date and all VIII be explained. II
the date does not enlighten you, come for con-
ISOLATION TO yours ever affectionately-
i- Z. o.. EMILY BEAUCHAMP'"
congratulated him, and thou ght that Rackit
also would be overioyed; but to my surprise
read an expression OF deep modification on his
features; and then it occurred to me that, glad
as he certainly was 70 have escaped his mar
riage, he was deeply vexed at having been made
ridiculous.
He called on Mrs Beauchamp that very after
ow an explanation which was a reproOf.
my dear Mr.. Rackit," she said, ssfor some
days You made vehement love to me. Don't
deny it. You know you did, yet you knew ali
the while that was engaged to Mr.. Briggs
your friend and my old playmate. l tried qni-
city to call You to order but in vain. Now. I
was certain that you really cared nothing for
me- .z.-=-s..z "a. p
ooh, Mrs Beauchamp"
"You didn't, don't pretend you did. 1
knew enough of you, to be sure that the attrac-
ton lay in the fruit being forbidden. The whim
suddenly seized me Of putting your sincerity to
the test and the license OF ALI FOOLS Day, sug-
gested the means"
s.But, suppose you had been mistaken !'
Then 1 confess, my prank would have
placed me in a serious position. But I was
quite safe. knew with whom l was playing.
knew that, if volatile and thoughtless, he
was, and would always prove himself-a gen.
Eemdn. 3
He took her hand, kissed 1t, and pronounced
her an angel. But from that day to this have
never heard him mention the name Of Mrs.
Smythe Briggs.