The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-04-27


been peuniess beggar the next day; the
l the Middleton estates We're not entailed
and then how should | have acted as The
protector OF Beatrice Norm M? Should ex.
pose her to the hard trials of the world til,
: bitter struggles OF poverty !? But refused
to look at that side OF the picture. l was
= young, ardent, and energetic. Surely there
must he some means by which might oh
} tam my purpose | CLING tenaciously to
hope; and many golden drelm of happiness
rewarded my blind faith in fortune; many
Joyous illusion charmed my sanguine
: mind.
my father said no more to me on the
subject lie doubtless conceived that
enough la already passed and that if | had
not resolved to obey him nothing further
would avail. But there was everything to
favor the idea of my having yielded. |
scarcely ever went to the Priory, and on two
or three occasions had managed to he out of
the way when Charles Norman called On
the surface every thing seemed peaceful and
| believed Reginald Middleton flattered him
self that his word had with me been law.
But saw Beatrice frequently, neverthe
| less. For some months our love and en-
gageInent remained a profound secret at
least | irntgined sO and we reve!ed in the
Idea OF It's having been kept 80 quiet. Beat
rice, indeed, never seemed quite happy:
| there was ALWAYS cloud on her brow: care
vas destroy ing rapidly her peace OF mind
On one occasion we were startled during our
interview by the sudden appearance Of IA
gentleman advancing pointedly towards us
| He raised his hat as he came near to lls.and
|
ed slowly on.
"Who is that? asked, hurriedly and in
some alarm.
- Mr. Launce'ot Merton
9 Beatrice, our secret will be discovered:
who is ths?
"A friend of Charles's: he is very often
at the Prinry But do not think he will
say anything about having met us He
will not attach sufficient Importance to it.
Il did not like the meeting with this gen
tIenian especially as when got home my
father said to me III kind OF cool If hard
way:
: 4 met Mr. Merton this afternoom his
father was IL very ola friend of mine: and
the son is exactly like my old college com
panion i'll appearance: | was quite struck
with the likeness. lie is an old sutton for.
the hand of Beatrice Norman They say he
is often at the Priory now
Il first rttlerteti that had a narrow Is
C pc from meeting my father whilst | was
with Beatrice; and thankful felt for it
And then | Saw that this speech was intend
&c to test me Every word sunk deep into
my mind, and awakened feelings of the bit
terest jealousy aud hatred against Launce
lot Merton Why, know not for should
as soon have doubted my own existence as
the constalcy of Beatrice But | at once
detested this man, aud OWNED him to hr
my enemy.
Much, however, as my. fathers words
nwardly affected me, | believe maintained
perfect control of myself: for | could see
that his eyes We're 6rnIy fixed upon me.
lie appeared quite sltlsho,l however, with
his scrutiny; and AIN confident that from
that moment he gave me the credit for hav-
ING thoroughly banshcd Beatrice Norman
from my thoughts.
VA several sutpsequ ent occasions, when
was out with Beatrice, encountered Mer-
ton; and tegln to grow alarmed lest the
news vi our meetings should get wind. But
stran &c to say nothing OF the sort occurred.
Beatrice said she did not think he would say
anything about; and she was sure he would
not, II he knew that she wished it to be kept
at all quiet.
Nevertheless hated him more and more
for the persistency with which he always III
truded upon our walks; and once or twice
had almost determined to ask him why he
continually dogged my steps But had not
sober reflections deferred me from Carrying
my purpose into execution my design
would have been frustrated for he sudden
ly discontinued the annoyance.
Zone day i'll the midst of our converse
ton, Beatrice turned round somewhat sharp |
Iy upon me:
Waiter she said, in an unnatural tone |
of voice, how much longer must we keep
this secret | am in dread every lay lest it |
should become known. You know it was
OILY for a time
= Yes my darling, | answered it is but
for time: you will not surely dstrust my
love?
Il looked at her beseechiugly, and then
became aware for the first time that there
was a strange light in her eye an almost
wild expression on her countenance We |
were sitting down on the very same seat as
Ahen had first asked her to keep our en-
SdSCtliSHG ScGItJ' DIG SclZcu lily TIgUL mana
Ill hers. and i'd:
. Walter. if you will not let me tell my
father or my brother, will you tell me why
this must be kept secret2 What is the
penalty attaching to the declaration of our
loves? What is the dread terror that is
oeerhanging our lives?'
. Beatrice" said, trying to soothe her,
will you not bear with me vet u little
while longer?'
4" Yes !! but why not tell me? Oh! Wal |
ter, let me i'npiore you to tell me. Let me
near 1t from your own lips
what could her words mean? They al |
most caused ny~lleart To stop. as she finish |
cd the last sentence
. i know your reason she said when | |
did not answer; Oh! Walter, Walter, the |
barrier is mplssabe!'
/" Nonsense, Beatrice said, as strain
ed her to me: and yet shuddered to think
that she had echoed my fathers words: you
do not know what you are saying. Do not
agitate yourself
She looked at me for a moment mourn
fully, and then burst ont into a wild laugh
=" Yes, | know, Walter Your family
will not sanction your engagement And
why? will tell you; because-'
Z" Hush! my Beatrice
{" 1 must speak.
" Not now | began, but she stop
ped me-
Yes now! 1t is because because NV
poor dear mother forgot to exact her rights
at tie hands OF my flther-the great Gen
eral Norman The Shame has fallen upon
me. | am Beatrice-n.erely Beatrice-not
Beatrice Norman Walter VI have, known
this long. You caunnot deny it Why,
then, have You kept me on in this sus
pemst'? Oh my iove--luy heart will hrr..>
Walter Mii..l tou, may God bless you now
and forever
with sudden spring she bounded
away, aud sped at mad pace to the Priory
1t was the last time saw her for many
years ran after her mp to the door, but