Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-12-10

identity received Instructions from her hus
banl to do all in her power for the prope
entertainment Of their guest, and she wa
trying to obey.
When evening came, and there was
hiteh in the conversation, Fred proposet
music. Isabel asked him if he sang. H
sald be had done so--he would try if sh,
wished it-that is, he would accompany her
In trnth, Fred possessed one of the richest
most melodious and finely attuned voice
ever heard; and | may as well add here
that tbe female rortion Of his acquaintance
had pronounced him one Of the handsomes
men they had ever seen. He sang with H.
abel Lynde. He was charmed with hel
sweet voice, and she appeared no less charm
ed by his surprising melody. After this
they talked of Harry Fred praised him tc
the skies, while Isabel modestly elainled fol
him that he was true ana noble.
Tie first night in his friends home, ans
yet Fred Farley found himself wishing that
his friend had never been-that such man
as Harry Lynde had never existed-or, al
least, had never appeared in that section Of
the country.
"Oh, if I could have found this sweet
prize before Harry had ever known her
Ah, Fred Farley, what are you doing? GOV
eting your neighbor's wife? and that neigh
Dor your dearest friend and chum? | am
ashamed ofyou Beware I"
And so the smitten guest talked to him
self until sleep closed his senses. Then
dreams came, and Isabel Lynde haunted
his uneasy slumbeys in all sorts of strange
ways.
In the morning he arose, aud resolved
that he would not expose himself to the
danger which he could already foresee in a
too free interchange Of poetry and romance
with his friends wife; but, alas for human
resolutions, when the erratie god has strung
his bow and set his dart After breakfast
the coachman came to see if Mr.. Farley
would ride. The morning was delightful,
and the horses were in need Of exercise.
Yes; Mr. Farley would ride; hut could he
do less than ask Mrs. Lynde to accompany
him2 He asked her; she assented with eY-
iGent satisfaction.
Harry bade me not to lose sight of you,
Mr.. Farley, and l suppose must obey
him.
0, what bewitching smile-what won
drous depth of feeling in the brown eyes,
and what music in the voice Fred felt
pang at his heart, glow through bis whole
frame, and he knew that he had fallen in
love- What should he do? lie must fight
against it while he could.
OF all the companions who had ever
shared his social hours, Fred had never be-
fore found one ike Isabel. He called her
50 ia his thoughts She was as intellectual,
and as witty, and as frank, and as open.
hearted, as she was beautiful; and in the in.
@asrn parity of her SOUL she never dreamed
that harm could come Of it to Harry chum.
Three days passed, and letter came from
Harry, saying that lie had been obliged 10
go to Buffalo.
One week more, and poor Fred was be-
side himself with the ardent, al-powerful,
and pcrvading passion that had possessed
him. Aud this was not the worst He was
sure that Isabel loved him; he could not be
her very efforts to conceal the
emotion, her growing timidity and reserve,
the changing color of her face, the dropping
of the silken lashes. the soft futtering Of
the voice, ALL all told him that she loved
him.
Once more, what should he do? There
was but one alternative. He must leave the
villa at once He felt that be was wronging
his best and dearest friend. That evening
he said to Isabel that he must go to New
York on the morrow-he must take the
Albany boat when it came down. She was
ssaptled, and for moment lost control Of
herself But the remainder OF the evening
passed sad and gloomy to both. Fred was
reticent and moody, and the lady was evi
dently far from being happy
The morning came, and Fred and Isabel
stood in the parlor. The carriage was at
the door.
Dear Mrs. Lynde, / may never see you
again--f must not r. He held both her
hands, and as he thus spoke, she started as
though an electric bolt had stricken her. A
strange light flashed up and cleaned ia ler
eyes, her bosom heaved, and presently tears
,,.- - ,...4 -. 1 nv eb ooLr
God bless you cried Fred, pressing
her hand 10 his lips in an impassioned man
ner. 'Sweet peace be thine. Thine be the
victory-of-Life- in Faith and-I.ove,
and"
He broke down at this point he knew
that Isabel sobbed, and that she put forth
her hands towards him; but he dared not
stop. The next be knew he was in the
coach, whrling away toward the river; and
he said to himself that he should never be
happy again 0, why had he seen his
friend S wife? Why had he loved her? why
had she loved him?
Halo, Fred; how's this? Where are
you bound now?"
"Eh Harry?"
Yes; come, come, none Of This. VIA
does that portmanteau mean? Goodness
mercy, you are not bound cf? aud iust as /
had promised Bella that she should become
acquainted with my friend aud paragon, my
chum Fred
promised Rrlla2' oasped Fred.
Yes, my wife. Here, my Bella, here is
Mr. Fred Farley, and I ieliere he thinks of
deserving
Really, Mr.. Farley. this is not friendly. !"
Hold on, " interrupted Harry; / have
a big authority, by way Of ownership, over
this boat; if you have important business IN
New York, I'll have her hold on until you
can instruct the clerk how 10 transact il for
sou. He is reliable
First, " whispered Fred, what Isabelis
MS