The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-09-26
THE TALE nr MY LIFE.
GCoN.LupED.l

with window opening into the garden,
which was generally kept locked put
to-day it was left open, and knew
might 20 In there and fetch the book ne
had promised to lend me, and then l
could pass into the outer room and up
stairs. without the trouble OF going ROUND
To the front entrance. l walked slowly
and as there was grass outside the win.
dow no one could hear footstep. even II
he had been listening. ] reached the
window. and entering the book closet,
saw that the door leading into the outer
room was open a little way-enough to
show me Arthur, sitting at the table, OPP
posite a short, thick-set man, with q
most disagreeable physiognomy. Both
were talking quickly and eagerly, ana
now and then they cast steady giances
towards the door, the one Leading INTO
the hall; the other they seemed entirely
to forget. or, as is more probable they
thought it was u cupboard.
Somehow Ilfelt foreboding of evil, a
sort of sickening sensation. that made
me shiver The volume L had come 10
seek was on the shelf before me, but
entirely forget it, / was riyeted to the
snot and, leaning against the window
stood ,notionless,, gazing at the two men
% thew sat opposite me. For while
did NOT catch the import of their con-
yersation; at length / heard low
chuckle from the stranger, and saw him
slap Arthur Familiarity on the shoulder,
an impertinence which, to my surprise
the latter did not resent.
"Well, what do you intend to do in the
mottar az then heard the man say, Il
can't stay here much longer. You see
how it stands Norway will not be put
off any longer. If you don't get the cash
by this day week-why, all can say 49,
YOU will not be at liberty to fulfil your
very honorable engagementto the charm
ing Miss Merton. Can't you make con,
fession, and get the young lady To lend
YOU the necessary The others VIII
stand off until you get things your own
way"
"Why, man." exclaimed Arthur" yon
don't know what you are talking about ,
The girl is fool enough to believe that L
have put up with all her airs and graees
for love of herself, and that Beuchamp
estates are free and unencumbered her
fortune mere drop in the bucket com
pared with mine She would rather
hang herself than have anything more
to saw to me if she found that had taken
her in. T am half inclined to give the
whole affair up; she is regular vixen,
and am not sure whether her money
NAV not cost her too dearly, after all. II
il had not been for you and your clique,
moor little Nell and might have been
happily married by this time as 1t Is
-"
Thus far listened; but could stay
no longer. felt my senses leaving me
How I reached my own room l never
knew; but when I regained my cen
seriousness was in bed, with Mi. and
Nrs Norton and Patty leaning over me.
Tor q moment could not understand It,
then the humiliating recollection came
over me and bore reason away
For DAYS lowered between LIE ana
death. Deep and passionate had been
any love for my unworthy sutton, and
unaccustomed as was to disappoint
ment, the wreck of all my hopes seemed
likely to prove too much for me. Bur
care, and a good constitution, with Gods
blessing, restored ne to comparative
health. then was able to think over
the past.
Arthur Beuchamp had found some
means of satisfying the mere pressing OF
his creditors. whose.Dames l afterwards
learned were "legion" and actually had
the audacity to plead for an interview.
told my guardian what / beard OH
the day of my illness He at once made
inquiries into Mr.. Beauchamp's affairs.
and found that he was deep in the
slough of debt and difficulty, my fortune
being all that stood between him and
debtors Jail. lie had for some years
been engaged to Miss Neville-a gentle,
high principled girl, altogether too good
for him From the time he came of age
until we met in London he had lived in
reckless extrayaganCe. 1t appeared that
the young lady had really loved deeply
perhaps equally with myself-but she
had no fortune, and he abruptly broke
of the engagement She heard soon az
ter that he was my af1ianced husband
When very young he had been drawn
aside into low haunts by friend he
made at college, who, being an invster.
ate gambler, had for some time prohted
largely by the experience of his dupe.-
Once launched into a sea of embarrass-
ment, Arthur Beauchamp found it next
to impossible to return to steady habits,
and became gradually insensible to all
claims of honor or honesty.
Mr.. Norton congratulated me on my
lucky escape, aud deemed 1t foolish be-
yond measure that l should "mope and
pine" as he called it, over one so worth
less. But it was long ere | could tear
his image from my heart 1t wonld rise
mp before me in all the deceitful happi-
ness of those few last mouths, received
one letter after this dated from Paris,
whittier he had managed to escape--a
cruel, insulting letter, laughing at me
Tor my blind folly In believing him, and
telling me that he hoped was convinced
that listeners never heard any good of
themselves; that he had never felt the
slightest regard TOR me; that I might
rest assured that, if ever any Que mar
ried me, 1t wonld be for my money, nota
ing slss.
inls letter did me one service, at all
events; it quenched every remaining
spark Of love. began to loath my for
tune, as though it were the cause OF all
my sorrow, aud nursed a discomfort
Cd, miserable frame of mind, that made
mo Q burthen to myself and all around
Ua.
At last Mr.. Meredith took out his de-
cree, and came to spend week or two
with Patty before he went to get his ii.
tie to orders, aud to ell g curacy I.had
always high opinion fhim Indeed, I
was rather afraid of him. He was able
On tn<u a<ra v,ora fhoo .,n,- ..,,, "A,