New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-02-02
HARRY CHAMBERLAIN
BY ONEIDA.
[coNcLUDED.
Chnpter VIII.

| Ol lne Wealtny, nauusOme young DacueloTi
and guests came thrOnging in, and parties
and entertainments of every variety fol-
lowed in quick succession. Without hav-
ing any decided taste for the gay life, she
soon became the magnet of every circle,
and was sought by gentlemen far and
near. The most costly fabrics of Paris
were brought to add to her wardrobe, and
the richest jewels were laid upon her
toilet She would have liked to decline all
this gayety and display for the circle of q
choice few and the pleasure Of books and
the family; but there was that about Harry
Chamberlain which said it would not do.
And quietly she yielded to his unspoken
wish, though her soul was piniHg sadly out
of its element. Although Harry deemed
1t honorable to his ward thus to ferce her
into the world, his heart was beating anx-
iously all the while with scarcely defined
dread. oh God, should another win her I!
He shuddered and drew back from the very
thought. Nor was he altogether contented
with the ehildlike love and devotion which
she lavished upon him. He longed to see
her start and blush when he came in upon
her quiet hours. Or even little more for
mality would have been preferable to her
natural childlike devotion. He drew
around her the gifted, talented, and hand
some; yet if she found pleasure with these
he grew distant and cold. Not thing was
there of which she could accuse him in
reason. He was courteous, nay, gentle, yet
her heart feltit all.
In his very geHtleness there was q Ie-
serve which seemed to chide. Though for
the life of her she could not define the
change, she was wretched; and in her
wretchedness she shrank within herself, and
withdrew from all around, and more than
from all others from him. Thus it grew
from bad to worse until they were barely
courteous, and scarcely more than recog-
ntion passed between them. Harry
would have sought an explanation, but she
SO evidently avoided him upon every oCea-
sion that he felt it would be most courteous
to leave her 10 her choice. Tallula pleaded
failing health for declining society, which
was only too true, poor child. There were
a few chosen spirits whom she ever receiv-
ed, aud seemed to find relief and pleasure
with. Among these was one who worship
ed her, and although she had long since
kindly yet decidedly declined his addresses,
be gloried in his love for her, and sought
solace for his wounded heart in her pres
enee and friendly kindness, although be
knew she could never be his. Harry saw
the devotion, and that it was not repulsed,
and his disturbed mind ut once saw various
reasons why he sboHld be just the man to
win Tallula's heart. He concluded that a
fear of his disapprobation had crept into
her heart and caused her wretchedness, and
at once magnanimously decided to relieve
her mind and make her happy by writing
consent to her. His own heart was too in.
tensely agonized to indulge in words with
out betraying its secret, so the note was
laoonic and cold;
TALIULA see that you are wrelched,
and choose to conceal it within your own
heart. So / would say to you that have
never introduced to you any but men of
honor, and could not object to any among
that number whom your heart may choose.
Let your choice be whom it may my prom
ise to tho dead shall be fulfilled, to provide
for the entire life of her child
Your guardian and friend.
HARRY CHAMBERLAIN.
Long after the fire had died in the CRATE
Tallula sat on q cold December night, with
this note crushed in her chilled hand, a
dreadful shivering creeping through her
veins, and the blood cold and heavy upen
heart and brain, murmuring to herself in
heart-broken accents
"Oh, God what does this mean? Is he
disappointed in the woman, and is this his
mode to rid himself of me ? Well know
he does not regard money, and that his
proffer to provide for my life is no indica-
tlon Of his affection. And even this he tells
me is to fulfill his promise to the dead. Oh
mother in heaven, little did you dream thai
your child was to become burden to him
you so fully trusted Oh why was moi
permitted to starve with you rather thar
| live for this2 But hush the selfish thought
Rather let me suffer than that she should
have been denied the comfort and joy which
he gave her declining years Obi foI
strength in my weak being to struggle with
disappointment and grief. Here am ] al.
most dead with the effort to fly from one
who is weary Of me. But it must be. God
Of the orphan, help me In the school Of
my childhood know / shall find true
friends and sweet home. There / may
arise TO labor for the good of others, or il
my frame prove too weak for the struggle,
may die amid those who love me yet.
This night will write him farewell
For the sake Of ell he has done for me, and
for her who was aearer to me than life,
must show him the respect Of explaining
my course, even though be care little for
aught save to be rid of me" Aud then she
wrote;
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN cannot sacrifice my
self in marriage even to please you, 60
to Miss Lyons, the only lasting friend OF
my lite since my mother rests under the
cold marble in Greenwood. There | may
arise to the more ennobling life Of laboring
for others. Or If God order otherwise,
can st least die amid those who love me
with all my faults. God be my witness
how deVOtedly how constantly my heart