Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-04-27

into it, barely in time to prevent m.
falling. Mr.. Rushworth was at m.
side in an instant; he exorted me to b
composed, to dismiss this slanderou
letter from my mind. Self-respect tolt
Inc that | must leave his house and
thought of the reception | should NEE
from my mother, the triumph | shoult
afford to George Lyttleton the tale
that would be spread about Barnford
But it would be easier to bear all thi'
than the scorn of Alfred Rushworth
4 know not how to thank you for you
sympathy SIR l said, with tears. Blu
| feel that must return home
My resolution took him by surprise
and he had no time to frame a reply
for here servant rushed in, and an
nounced that his mother had been
found insensible. l flew up stairs, and
in a moment was in Mrs Rushworth'
room, which I hardly left fort fortnight
afterwards. During that time she hung
between life and death, and more than
once her son watched her with me, ex.
pecting each moment to be her last
But she rallied, and seemed to shake
off with the fever her evil temper, SC
that now she appreciated my attentions,
and always spoke to me kindly. As
for her son, nothing could be more con.
siderate than his demeanor, aiming as
it did to set me at ease, without OBJ
truding painful recollection. He was
too successful for his presence not
only gave me ease, but happiness. The
moments flew when we were together,
and | counted them in his absence In
short, [ loved him. Nemesis had en-.
tered my bosom and where 1 once
thought of being the victor, l was van
quished.
Often I recognized this retribution,
but never mournfully-rather with sat-
isfaction, indeed; for it gave me what
| had lacked before-somebody to love
me; and though it was love unknown,
and which would never be requited,
yet | felt the richer for it, and locked
it in my heart, like secret treasure.
[ must soon return home-for l only
deferred my departure till Mrs. Rush
worth should be better, and then this
hidden passion, though it could not but
be sorrow, would also be comfort,
for I could hold by it and rest on it,
when everything beside gave way. l
had strolled out in the sunset in the
park, to dwell on these thoughts, and
they had so absorbed me that l did not
notice figure lurking among the trees,
and before looked up, George Lyt-
tleton stood in my path. well, Alice,
l think you have played this game out
now, he said 'and have come to give
you another chance. 1 shall never
marry any girl but you, and 1 am de-
termined that you shall never marry
any one but me; so let us try again !
made no reply, but sought to pass
on. Come, you amt going that way,
he cried don't think it! I turned
my back, and thought to retreat in the
other direction, but he anticipated my
intention by seizing me round the waist.
You won't forgive me? you won't be
friends ? he cried fercely; then say
so-give me your answer" Ianswered
with scream and was struggling in
his grasp, when strong arm struck
him to the ground. 'Scoundrel! how
dare you molest this lady?' exclaimed
Alfred Rushworth. 'Begone or l will
have you horse-whipped into Barnford.'
George Lyttleton sneaked away with
out answering a word, and l stood as
speechless. l had no voice, because
my feelings were what my voice could
not divulge, nor even representatives
ton, gratitude, and love. love that would
brave anything but discovery. But,
after moment, l murmured my thanks,
and accepted my deliverer's escort to the
house, replying to his remarks on the
way in tremulous monosyllables. l
took leave of him in the hall, and ran to
my own room.
1t was week after this occurrence
that announced my intended depar
ture to Mrs. Rushworth. She was
now in stronger health than before her
illness, and we had been out in the car
riage, an exercise she had not attempted
for years. But this did not reconcile
her to my going away, and she clung to
me So, that when 1 thought how differ
emily l should be treated by my mother,
my resolution almost faltered. But |
withstood her tenderness, though with
choked voice and bursting heart.
That evening, l was taking my usual
stroll in the park, now keeping always
within view of the house, when l Icaught
sight of Mr.. Rushworth. l had recur-
red to my old practice of avoiding him,
SO l turned into an alley of trees lead
ing in another direction. But 1 had
net gone far, when l heard quick step
behind me, and the next moment be
was at my side. 4 am glad to have
met you, Miss Seymour he said in a
voice | thought troubled. Il imagined
that you had given up your intention
of leaving us but my mother tells me
that you still adhere to it. 4 have nc
alternative replied almost iuaudibly
Pardon me- he returned, laying bis
hand on mine; there is one-ifI 1 could
persuade you to consider it. You have
become indispensable to my mother,
and you are as the light of day to me
Remain here, then, to make us both
happY-her with daughter, and me
with the being l admired at our first
meeting, and now devotedly love-