The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-07-02
81 do not understand you p she


receive our visitors, preside at our
balls and parties, and fulfill your du-
ties to society. But day after day,
evening after evening, you mysteri-
ously shut yourself up in your own
apartments, seeing no one, replying to
no summons or messages, giving no
evidence of life. 1t is as if your cham
bers were your tomb. / have frequent
ly knocked at your door without elicit
a response. The last time | was at
tackled by the gout, sent for you, and
yet you did not come to me for hours,
and did not even send to inquire after
my welfare. What is the explanation
OF this, Beatrice ?n
The daughter stood motionless and
silent.
Il have tried to answer the question
for myself y said the Earl, after waiting
in vain for a reply. eff it were posi-
BILE for you to leave the house SO con-
tinually without my knowledge, /
should believe that half your time was
spent away from home. l have re-
marked that these seclusions do not
occur at our country-seat. DO you
spend these missing hours in opium
eaters dreams? / again ask you Bea-
trice, what is the meaning of these
seasons of dumbneSs and silence ~
The Lady Beatrice lifted her head,
turning her face to the light. Her
countenance was of marble whiteness,
save that in her cheeks burned scar
let glow. Her eyes were like glowing
suns. Her manner betrayed an intense
agitation and excitement, showing that
her whole nature was in commotion.
81 have no explanations to give,
father" she said, tremor of passion
underlying her cold tones.
'Think what you will-Suspect as
you may-I have nothing to say. Be-
lieVe anything that may seem proba-
BILE. But do not forget that l am your
daughter, as proud as yourself. L
know / would rather die than sully
the name bear. Let that Sutfice!'
She stood erect in her imperial beau
ty, like one without trace OF weak
ness in heart or soul.
At that moment the curtains were
again lifted, and Lord Adlowe entered
the apartment
There was peculiar CLEAN in his
ewes, and singular smile about his
mouth: he had been listener to most
of the conversation between the father
and daughter.
Lord AdIowe was in the prime of
manhood. He was handsome, and
wears of foreign travel, with strange
adventures in far off lands, had con-
tributed halo of romance to his char
acter. His complexion had been dark
ened by exposure TO wind and sun,
His hair was light, and his eyes were
pale, keen, cold, and cruel, and had in
OF NIyin
He had returned impoverished in
purse, hampered by debts, worn out
by dissipation, with the fixed resolve
Of urging to a consummation his claims
upon the hand of the Lady Beatrice.
At sight of her, so radiant in her
beauty, his face flushed with eager
ness, and he came forward rapidly, ex-
tending both his hands.
Lord Hampton, delighted, sprang up
to greet him.
The Lady Beatrice permitted her
returned suitor to clasp her cold, jew
elled hands, greeting him politely, ev-
en- kindly, her manner warming under
his manifestations of extreme delight.
She welcomed him home, and colored
slightly under his gaze of eager admira-
/ ton.
The Earl, encouraged by her gracious
| manner, began to hope that his conver-
sation had had the desired effect, and
| that his daughter might be persuaded
to crafty his dearest hopes.
| "You must excuse my abrubt, unan-
nounced entrance" said Lord Adlowe.
| smiling, when the greetings were con-
cluded. 81 told the porter, who knew
| me at once, that | would announce
myself, as | used to do. | find the
| place unchanged net so, / hope, its
/ hostess.
| He looked earnestly at his lovely
| hostess, whose manner had resumed
| its usual hauteur and reserve.
81 never change, Lord AdlOwe," +" she
replied, significantly. 81 have always
| been your friend and Well-WisheF.
/ am still the same."
HNothing more?" whispered the
/ guest, in low and eager tone.
| The increasing coldness of the lady's
| manner was sufficient answer.
Nothing daunted by this reception,
| Lord AdIOWe exerted himself to please.
| Beatrice unbent slightly as she became
/ interested in his remarks. His lord
| ship had changed during his long alb
sence; many Of his former prominent
traits seemed subdued, and his hostess
| began to believe that she should find
| him an interesting study.
| In the midst of her musings and
speculations, dinner was announced
| The Lady Beatrice took the arm of the
! guest, and the three descended to the
| dining-room, handsome apartment,
brilliant with lights and fire and flow
/ ers. The repast was seasoned with
witty remarks from Lord Adlowe,-
/ The lady listened, smiled, and replied,
! but there was no heart In her words OF
| her mirth. The dinner over, the guest
/ escorted the Lady BeatI ice to the door,
and then returned to his wine and the
companionship of the Earl.
'The Lady Beatrice is more beauti-
| ful than ever!" he finally sighed
"And she is scarcely less cold than
when she drove me from heP!p
"Do not despair, my boy," respond.
ed the Earl, kindly, 81 don't pretend
to understand Beatrice, but there is nc
ice that the sun cannot melt. Ibelieye
she will yet reward your long and un,
wavering devotion"
81 kyaOW she will!n said Lord Adj
lowe, with a strange light leaping tc
his eyes. 81 can find my way to heI
heart at last, my lord. In less than
six months | shall be your son-in-law
l will go up to the Lady Beatrice and
| endeRYor to win her favor, while you
are occupied with your wine and ci
gars."
He excused himself, and FASTENED
back to the draWing-room. The Lady
Beatrice set before the fire alone. She
| looked up at his entrance, greeting
him with smile. Drawing stn easy.
| chair as near TO her as he dared, LORD
| Adlowe bent upon her a gaze of a
dorning love.
The Lady Beatrice moved uneasily
under his gaze, it seeming to her tC
be scrutinizing as we'll as admiring
| She faneied he was trying to read heI