The Van Buren press., 1871-08-15
MISCELLANY.
Delivered from Evil.

mown hay, coming down from far oil
breezy slopes, foated in the air, and just
beyond the elms in the hollow the tull
moon rising up--a great glole OF pearl,
and from her low seat beneath the over
hanging honey suckles, Bertha Wyman
saw nnd felt all this summer beauty with
the faint, bIissful languor Of tropic
dream.
Bertha I"
Paul Fordham crossed the broad rib.
bon Of moonli ght that iluttered over the
piazza, and came to sit down at his ii
ance feet
You are like q picture to night, Der
tina; do you kuowitt"
Am ~
Miss w imam was accustomed to adu
lation and took 1t very cocI}', with onl,
Il royal smile flung down to her almirer
She was like picture-tair and gra.
cious, VITA blue eyes, and great coils oi
golden hair bound around her head
while even in the uncertain twilight, you
could see that the color of her checks
was softer and more tenderiy tinted than
the blossoms Of the great oleander at hel
side.
"Hush-who is that?' she said, with
n little start. as light fooJstep sounded
on the matted hall beyond.
"Only your aunt's companion, Mrs
Raymond. BY the way, Bertha. what Il
very interesting lIttle thing she s--sucll
a child widow, with those big black eyes,
and the heavy laShcs that seem actually
to eigh down her eyellds. She makes
me think OF one Of those exquisite little
South American birds, all grace and
sparkle. "
Il never could account for the taste
of young men," said Bertha, half con
temptuously.
NO, but she Is beauty, by Jove! !
can tell you what, my tar Saxon Emp
ress, if had not lost my heart ilrcvoca.
bly, to you, long Leiore | ever saw Mrs
Raymond, there 5 no telling what hi sht
nave happened,
He spoRe jestingly, but Bertha drew
away the hand he had taken, rather cool.
ly.
1t is not yet too late, Paul, if you
really admire Zaidee Raymond So cnthu
slastically.
Bertha !"
Miss Wyman laughed q strange, TN.
natural sort Of laugh Up 10 this mo.
ment her lips had never tasted he litter
cup of jealousy, now it seemed as II the
was maddeninS. How dared
Paul Fordnam, uer b.lro,hed lover, To
SPEAK IN tones OF concentration OF any
woman save hersef@ @er~-
Bertha was one az those unfortunate
creatures who have what is termed "a
high temper. AMI all her life it had been
lnbrIdled She had never learned the
lesson of self-control and it was too late
to begin now.
Mss Wyman went up to her own
apartment earlier than usual that evening,
not that because she was particularly
weary, but because she wanted to punisl Ia
Paul Foriham, who VS. fond of moon.
l. ght and sentiment and delicious July
evenings, for his uuwarran,able notice Of
her aul: dark eyed companion.
A g she sat at her WINDOW. brushing
out the wavy, tcathery gold of her mag
nIhcent hair, the sound oi voices on the
piazza below arrested her attentian She
listened moment, holding the golden
masses away from .her head, with her
scarlet lips half n part. 1t was Paul
Fordham and Zaidee Raymond.
Il thought 50, '" she murmured under
ler breath. 1T would lie no bad specu-
alton for the poverty stricken widow to
vile Paul Fordham and his wealth to her
lets. ] knew she was artiul despite her
innocent, childish WAYS, but if she darcs
% come in collision with ine she shall be
,rushel--crushed, as | would strike a
loisome insect to the ground
She at there. silent and motiOnless,
or well nigh half an hour, then there
,ame soft tap at her chamber door.
Come in. said Bartha.
And Mrs. Raymond entered.
81 beg your pardon for disturbing
you. Miss Wyman. but were You aware
hat Nou had left your bracelet on the
piazza floor? Here it is
at took you and Mr. Fordham some
ime t. discover the loss Of n bracelet, y
,ai Bertha tauntingly Il am really
sorry to have given you the Il ouOle Of so
Il search
Zaidee Raymond cheeks flushed pain
fully.
III you would but allow me to conGde
n Won. Miss Wyman, 4" she faltered,
lrawing a step or two nearer to the
naughty S xon beauty. Mr.. Fordham
las told mc-----'
Il do not wish to become the reposi.
.orv Of your confidence, > said Bertha.
with Chi lag abruptness, nor do care
vhnt Mr.. Fordham chooses TO tell you.
Gool night.
And she motioned Mrs Raymond i'm
oera'ively from her presence,
Il should have struck her in another
second. +" she murmurel TO herself, tear.
ng the tiny lace trll away from her
ohling throat, as il its slight pressure
mpeled her fire. respiration Il have
seen the nurses shrink away from m, aS
T, uhild, when Hy ienIer rose There
vas murder il my ewes, they said !
.hiuk murder came into my heart, whea ]
,tond there facing that treacherons,
black eyed woman Let her beware how
she ventures to come between me and
nine.
Unconscious Paul Foriham! II he
could only have known. as he paced up
md down the dcwy lawn, smoking his
.igar, the thoughts that were passing
through the mind Of his hetrothed