The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-08-16
CHAPTER II.

It was the evening preceding Beatrice
Eagerion's wcdding-day. Linley had
just left her, and she was now pacing the
luxuriously-furnished drawing-room, with
a restless, excited step. Her white brow
was knit, the lips compressed, and the
little hand tightly clasped She seemed
engaged in deep and perplexing thought.
81 am but fulfilling my destiny" she said
in low tone. II may have to thread
labyrinth, but n'importe; my path is
chosen. Docs not Fcstus' say. passion
is destiny; the heart is its own fate p
Pausing before marble ccntre-tablc,
she selected a camelia from vase of rare
exotics, and gazed intently upon its snowy
beauty. Gradually her mouth lost its
tense, defiant curves, and a soft light
dawned in her eyes.
"Thus throw aside the unsatisfactory
past" she murmurcd, as she plucked to
pieces the flower she held and scattered
the petals around her. "To-morrow !
become Lnlcy Ruthertord's wife! Who
can tell but that the future may supply
my utmost need"
The wedding morn proved dark and
lowering. beatrice, in her bridal robes,
stood alone by the low window of her
pretty boudojr, looking out upon the scene.
a spell seemed thrown around her.
Old nursery traditions relative TO IA gloomy
wcdding-day, came unbidden TO Der mem
ory. She was oppressed with an unde-
Unable fnrcboding.
"What Il step am about to take" she
said. as she caught Il glimpse of her face,
as white as the dress she wore. in the Op-
posite mirror. 81 may be all prong
where | thought was right. cannot
see my way clearly. All much ! won
der how other girls, bright and happy,
feel on their wcdding-day those who un-
like me 90 TO the altar with-but | am
growing childish. Why can ! not shake
of this depression ?"
She bowed her head and covered her
face with her hands
Il have no one to guide or direct me, :"
she moaned. lis it marvel that with
out compass or pilot, | drift with the
tide )? No mother, no true friend! At
such moment as this | am ;lonc.- =
Heaven hel lp me, all alone ~
With Beatrice Eagerlon the latter
clause was AN exclamation not pra7or.
She had yet to learn of the Friend to
whom, in time of trial, all can freely 60
Il may retract now, at the last NOM
ent," she continued, as she half slipped
the engagement ring from her finger.
As she spoke there came the hum of
many voices without the door.
'lt is too 6re; they are waiting for
me. l may live TO say that this last
moment can never be made up, and
mourn over.
The tenlcr grace of day that is
dead"
And so they were marricd-Linley
Rutherford and Beatrice Eagerton-and
started off on prolonged bridal tour.
"The season" had just begun, when
Beatrice was installed as mistress of her
elegant city residence. A very queen
she was in society and in her own home
receiving adulation and homage as if it
were only her due. Those who beheld
her in the ballroom, at the opera or in
her own mansion, always brilliant and
beautiful. pronounced her blest; and
when was ever the wise world mistaken
in its verdict If the semblance of a
shadow could be said TO have fallen upon
Linley Rutherford's new found happiness,
it was this. lie had not yet experienced
the home pleasures of which he had
dreamed. lie philosophical upon the
subject, and arrived at the conclusion
that when the novelty of city fascination
wore away, Beatrice would renounce such
empty gayetes, and gladly turn TO the
sanctuary of home. All! hea atheir true
life would begin; how his heart leaped
at the thought.
1t was the evening ofa popular opera.
The house was thronged. Mr.. Ruther-
ford's box was occupied by Beatrice, pref
ty little Mrs. Dale and her husband, and
Linley himself.
Beatrice was looking even more beauii-