Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1865-07-05

plainly discern the figure of a man stand
ing BY my bureau. As ] looked he
opened one Of the drawers II, must have
been the noise made BY something simi-
lar which had startled me at first. was
motionless with terror, and covered
back beneath the bed-olothes. The
rustling of these as I covered ny head
must have alarmed the burglar, for he
left the work Of plumber and strobe to the
bedside. It was too much, I could not
command myself, and shrieked wildly
with fear when he pulled the covering
from my face.
BE silent, .d-n you. or I'll quiet
your He said in gruf threatening
voice, shaking knife before my eyes
This only made me scream the louder
He raised the knife, impulsively / threw
my arm over nv bosom, and at the same
moment felt keen sharp paug thrill
through me, There was q loud report,
and I tainted.
{" Now Constance you must tell me all
about the affair yourseIy. Ny recolleo-
tions ceased when the knife pierced my
arm and I heard the report of the pistol.
What followed and now did it chance
that, you came. so opportanely to the res
cue. I asked, as I was Iying the next
day in bed with my wounded arm nicely
bandaged, and when the doctor had left
Constance and myself alone together for
the first time.
D.. " I had been writing also, dear Mrs.
Bertram, ,to-to-well-I was not asleep
yet when 1 heard you call for help; l
seized the pistol, I don't know why, but
holding it in my hand I ran toward your
room. As 1 opeued the door you
shrieked again, and I saw the man stand
ing by your bedside strike you fercely.
To aim and FIRE the weapon I held. was
more a work of impulse with me than
thought. Fortunately my aim was true,
and he fell without giving you a second
and more fatal wound. The servants
came rushing in then, and the policemen
took charge of the would -be-muFderer.-
He was. not dead, only stunned they told
me, the ball having grazed his head, and
that is all, Madam"
''Y on saved my life, Constance"
II am grateful to Heaven for enabling me
to do So" she replied modestly. but you
must not talk so much, Mrs. Bertram, or it
will bring on fever. wiIbread to you and
see If you cannot sleep little"
Whilst she was reading, thousand busy
thoughts were at work in nv brain. sll end
ing in one resolve, that Frank should come
home Immediately; and then Several
days later and we were sitting together as
usual by the FIRE had not said much to
my companion about the preservation Of my
life since the first morning after the burglary,
but was none the less determined on the
course I should pursue. Constance Brewer
ton must be my daughter, either by adoption
or as Frank Varian's wife. This I was re-
solved upon,--never thinking Of "oll Enenge
or money" except as exploded notions and
rancies Of my foolish days.
Constance, lay aside your work moment"
said I. When she had placed the handkcr
chief she was hemming in her work basket
and primly folded her hands to listen, con-
timed, Il have written to Frank Varian my
nephew, again"
Eyes, madam p
II have written to him to come home i'm
Do you know why ?" said ],
looking searchingly at her.
"Me, Mrs. Betraml How should I knowl"
she cried in surprise.
"Wel, come to me and will tell you
Sit on the stool at my feet while I whisper
it" And when she obeyed, put my well
arm about her neck and said, Il want my
and my Frank to love each other
very much, and take charge Of ne in part
nersbip- Why do you tremble so and turn
pale? Have hurt your feelings, my daugh-
ter2 Ifso, pardon foolish, doting old wo-
man."
at is not that" sobbed Constance, hiding
her face upon ny knee. "You are so good
to ne, and I am so wicked"
"Wicked! You need not marry Frank m
less you wish. You shall be my daughter,
ut all events"
'Oh, Mrs. Bertram, I am-married-al-
ready" And leaving me petrifed with as
Constance ran out Of the room.
I had not recovered rom the shock, when
the following note was handed NE from Miss
Beaverton.
DEAR Mas. BERTRAN Will you forgive
me when l tell you who my husband is p
When I tell you that I am Frank Variants
wife, and have been for SIX months past
Knowing your prejudices and wishes in re-
gard to his marriage; and that the orphan !
oenniless ohild of moor clerk-herself but
not be the wife you would
choose for him, turned a deaf ear to the |
voice ofhim loved, until seeing ne oppress-
I'd and humiliated by the insults Of my en- |
Dloyers, Frank rescued me from their clutch (
es and l became-hOw could refuse this /
WIFE, saw your advertisement. and deter |
mined to try and make you love me il could I
1nly succeed IN obtaining the situation. You |
inow what followed Frank has not much |
aith in he experiment, and now see that !
t was wrong and deceitful. Your goodness
md kindness have crushed me to the earth. |
deceived you because I loved him. And |
his deceit has raised a wall between US
What SHALL l do2 am miserable.
....- CoEsrAFCE .VARIAN.
Miserable, indeed Nonsense What a |
title romance it is" calculated I, after read
ng the dear childs letter.
Constance was kneeling by the bed with
Ter face hidden, when I entered the room
"Constancel"
She looked mp IN doubt. then az smiled !