The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-06-24

NO. @.
and unjust she had been to them
What must Mr.. Psrei,sl and bis Wit
think of her returning their hespit.lit
With neglect and eoldpess, without
word Of expIanstion? Why was sh'
ashamed to introduce ber friends to tn,
Pereiv.h, whom it vas an honor t.
visitr sbe deserved to loee, if she bad
not already lost, the friendship Of the
only psrsons 10 Millwood whose respec,
was worth having aud this because she
feared the acquaint.nce of her brothers
foreman might subject her to ridicule.
Did Paul Reichelm really love her
She caught herself wishicg bis noble
qualities belonged to some one it would
not degrade - Hildreth" to love. The
desirs, erushsd At once, brought thrill
Of pain. Miss sprsgue had spokeo
truly: he va 4 man any woman might
admire, respect, trust, love "a man
whose snger and contempt any woman
might shrink to brave.
Charlotte hoped be would never DIS
cover the author of the caricature, and
determined to stone for tho iosult BY
courteous conduct in future.
The door opened. A gentleman to
see Miss Hildreth was announced.
Charlotte turned, and Paul Reichelm
stood before her. There vas no love-
sick expression 10 the dark eyes fxed
on her; she saw = powerful nature,
wounded to thu quick, demanding ex-
PLANTATION and satisfaction. Sic was
speechlsss With confusion as she pointed
to chsir, which he declined.
ri will not detaio you a moment,
Miss Hil!reth. Did you send this z"
drawing from his pocket book the carl
Charlotte hesitated, while a blu.a Of
shame spread over her fair young face.
"Oblige me BY answering" he con.
tiuued "if this insult did not come
through you, it is Of little consequence
Who was the author"
ut came through me-" answered
Charlotte. too generous to shelter her,
'elf from even part of the dshooor-
Able transaction. ''Mr. Reichelm, l
truly regrst-"
mo apology is necessary, Miss Hill
drsth. On tho contrary, I thank you
for the service you rendered me. l
vss wax enough to forget your poei-
tioo and mine, till yon taught me by .
bitter leseou how tar apart in lifc our
paths were Yet," he continued in a
voice Of suppressed emotion, IL believed
you generous and honorable Incapable
Of infictiog humiliation on one who
never injured you! Good morning"
He bowed, and was leaving tbs room,
when Charlotte detained him.
"Mr. Reichelm, my conduct towards
you was unjust aud unl.dyike, and
deeply regret condescead,ng to use an
anonymous carioature for the purpose of
revenge. You have right TO despise
met"
"Revepge ! Miss Hildreth. Had 1
ever offended YOU p
"From the 6rst our Acquaintance
drew on mo the ridicule of all Millwood.
and gave rise 70 scandal which provoked
mo beyond bounds. You acku owledsc
The difference in our positions (Char-
otte's face assumed an expression of
|o'ty pride); it is natural I should re-
'ent my name being associated with my
brothers foreman For some weeks I
have been mark for every grossip in
The village, and each action Of yours
1as distorted into another proof that
"What Miss Hildr4th.''
"That you loved me-" said Charlotte
deeply At the words. II knew
The story was false !; knew you we're too
sensible 70 suppose 1-Oh ! this expla-
nation is very painful" cried poor Char
|otte, getting beyond her depth, "In-
deed, Mr. Reichelm, I never supposed
you loved me p
II loved you from the tirst," replied
Paul, calmly. "Is vas folly and mad.
ness, I own-justly punished with scorn
aud ridiculs. I loved you hopelessly
aud purely - the best and noblcst Of
your sex. Now you have forfeited my
it will be easy to forget you:"
Hspsused . moment, looking earnest
y in Charlotte's agitated face.
"4ou desire to impress me With the
inequality Of our stations in life they
are indeed opposite! Not that would
exchange my situation for the one you
20 exalted aud enviable. Miss