The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-07-12

she cried the sweatdrops of her anguish starting from
| her polished brow, "will it never toll :" A moment
more it rang-that same clear joyous chime; the
church bell answered it, and then all st-still as
/ night, or death.
4 She had heard aright-those tones seemed in that
hour ring the knell of her life Fair ever, mock
ingly fair Beaufort Prory, and she might own 1t
STILL but at what cost of truth, love and hope Could
she make the sacrifice Once she shrieked aloud in
| her agony but no one heard her-only the night
winds bore her voice onward towarl those stately
woods of Beaufort and she sank back on the floor in
a swoon more like death than life.
CHAPTER II.
The next day she walked once more towards the oak
tree avenue with Harold Beaufort by her side They
| walked in silence Every now and then his happy
eyes sought her face. Happy they indeed, for
spite of her and her sarcasm be felt almost sure
of her Loves and then his generous nature full of
Joy and thankfuness, for the spared life of his only
brother Her face it might have been her vigil of the
night before deadly paleno winter the lotus
blossom whose petals trembed in her dark hair. Her
step firm, but careful observer might have seen
that her small hands clasped each other witt convul
sve pressure and the teeth that cleaned through her
Just parted lips shut like vice. The day was
very bright and fair, but neither of them in a
mood for needing the loving, beaInng blue sky shin
ing through the tree boughs overhead, the tangled
wilderness of blossoms at their feet.
At last, they sat down the moss-srown roots OF
the same oak where he had told his love. Her face
was turned away, but he could see the quick blood
mantle her cheek as he said
''Thc time has come, Eleanor of my love and my
dreams, when have right to yourreply. My broth
er is recovering rapidly and would have no selfish
grief of mine 10 cloud the joy of his restoration-no
uncertainty such must torture until have your
reply loye-I have always loved you. Fair and
glorious you are i'll my eyes, above all women; cen
you love me, Eleauor?p
Eleanor sat still and silent Her lips were pressed
firmly together, but her heart w.s convused in he
fierce struggle between her love and her pride. She
turned her dark eyes his face. In him were ratl-
zed all the dreams of her passionate, dreaming ar
hood She was drawn toward him irresistibly She
bent forward and leaned her head on his breast. AL
her pride was gone now--she was meek and sweetand
gentle in her love and her Womanliness.
II love you Harold she said, timidly, Il have
loved you great while"
He was wild with rapture On his knees he blessed
her over and over. Then he beside her, her he'd
upon his shoulder, making bright pictures Of their ha
DIV future. He called her his princess his lifesta,
his angel best Of ALL his wife; and Eleanor resoutey
forgetting all the world outside, was so supremey
happy.
heart and then she withdrew herself from his entr-
cling arm, and lifted her head from his BOSOM
'|There, Harold" she said coldly, Il have permitted
this too long already loved you, and determined
to try how it would seem for you to hold me titus.
liked the experiment very WE'LL but it would not py
for all should have to give up. 1ou see, am lonst.
You must never breathe word of love to me agail"
''Not love you" he gasped, what do you mean, ny
Eleanor, my wife? Are we not betrothed?'
'sI don't think we are" she answered, with al nttc
ton of her rich voice which was almost sneer II lm
sure wasn't aware of it. 1t wouldn't suit ny pins
at all. | am going to be lady OF Beaufort. | always
meant to be- Your brother loves me, but | he lad
died. would have been your wife. AS 1t Is hesport
is not worth the candle"
Eleanor" for a moment his voice vey stern,
''wby did you not tell me SO at frst2 Why did you
deceive me?"
Her tone softened at once into tenderness.
''Oh don't Harold, have deceived you
! indeed have not. | love you more than life, more
than myself more than everything but my own pride.
Don't hate me- l would die for you this moment, but
will not give up Beaufort Priory cant help this
it's in my nature; but love you, loEc you ana
God bless you even Tor that; God in heaven bless
YOU, aud forgive you for this sinful pride don
condemn you, Eleanor, and wont condemn YOU or
believe you cannot help it. but this is terrible.'
lie sat in silence by her side for few moments, is
ewes bent upon the ground hers anxiously strivngo
read every expression OF his face. When he spoR,
his tones were firm.
II am going away tomorrow, he said. 'Eeanr,
my own lost Eleanor cannot even blame you. lu
have right to choose Beaufort Prory before my oe,
if YOU so WILL but cannot stay to see you gyeno
another Never again shall my feet tread these statg
woods of Beaufort. You shall never hear OF my wa
, derings Never shall the name of Harold Beauid,
exile and alien be uttered in your ears to trouble te
calm repose Of your pride You shall not know whetlr
am dead or living, and by-and-bye, those crimsa-
threaded lips viii syllable for other the 4 Ice
! you, they have to-day uttered for mine"
"Neyer never. Oh, Harold, hear me. will OF
marry YOU, | will be mistress OF Beaufort, but Ill
love you till my death Never shall the lips you tst
learned to kiss, breathe to another one tone OF IN
derness You know my nature-trust me-
. And be did trust her. In spite Of their eternal p
aration it was so sweet to believe in her love. ley
passed that afternoon more like aianced lovers TAN
NJ and iufu mi
one thing their natures we're alikea strange, poic
tendency to forget the past and the future, and u
rate in the impassioncd present. They partedi o
that night without sing lie reproac far m6reas II sde
stern father relentless guardian had banishedhe
poronless Younger son. than ii she herself iiad dt
r him forth, in her stern pride. For a moment, ne
clung wildly about his neck as if even that prad
J., heart would break in the struggle Then, turing
: away she sank sobbing upon the grass
e "Go now,n she entreated, sit will kill me if ais
>; scene lasts much longer.
Il lie kne beside her. II raised her head With ants
y flowing waves Of long black hair.
Need it last II he said, pgasingly, Can you e
happy without me- If yoa oTc mc - Only be ny wiz
s Eleanor viii bot 4 lifetime Of tenderness relay ye
for Ghe sacrifice 2!
NO. no p she waved lin r7pctuously frorul Ter; 20
3 not tempt me u vos.s own destruction and mue
i YOU should persuade na to marry you, shcdd nat
n vou-Jo Joa hear. hate Eou-Wheu saw an9taa
) s8tnan mistress VI Beaufort. Co. in mercy, 20, be
q fore y1u drive me mad.
And he went BE uatangled The lotus-blosson from
hcr eng hair ana pua itin bis bosom. He k5ss' be
4 wildly 9n check brow and the sweet mouth. I LF.
never dared uatl that day 70 press-he mnauref
i passionate prayers orer her and then lifting 9sf
1. psig face 10 tbe fri moonlight, and ioohiag sef
- iBgeriucIy, rs Il be would carry that image Wig i'm
u ..ll lis death Ae walked away.
Il a early dawu the lady Eleanor sat at her zern
d slndaw. She had passed a sleepess hight an ow,
folding bcr whi.c dressing gown about her sat
AS At,a. ss r,-fa E 4.r Dr.,