The Republican journal., 1871-12-28


that 1.-The Reeches" was to be fitted rp
/ afresh, and inhabtated by its owner II
was the country talk the great change in
/ Mr.. Churchill and the universal specula-
ton was its cause.
Frank never needed. but kept the even
! tenor of his way. He was happy as the
/ days were long, and the country gossip
did not effect him; go he told Ford, with
laugh as they sat al breakfast one Sep.
tember morning.
Our little speculation seems to be
looking up" said the lawyer. My side
seems to be coming up at last lt's abont
five to four win now
No" said his companion with an
altered face; ''the silly bet will be mine.
Fifteen months have already elapsed
Only nine remain
at will come to head in less time
than that | hope" resumed his friend.
/ There will be a matrimonial engage
ment, trust by Christmas"
What do yon mean % said Frank.
. "Gou know we'll enough was the re-
! ply "What should mean bnt we'd
ding"
Between whom ~
Yourself and Miss Bpanchamp." re-
piled Ford.
''Yon have forgotten my promise"
-aid FRANK.
II forgot nothing" said the lawyer.
''ion are not an idiot enough 10 regard
! silly speech made in lest rs binding y
ut was sealed by my word Of honor"
replied Frank; ''and il my life depended
on it it shall be kept"
You do not regret il then ?" said
! Ford
Most unteignedly," was the reply
II hourly regret that in a foolish moment
. have bound myself in such manner;
and, having done so. yon would not
tempt me to torSwear myself
/ ''Do You love the young LADY," asked
Ford
Il 10 love her." replied Frank, after
| briet hesitation. speaking with emotion.
j How could | help MYSELF Apart from
her beauty and talents. look at her ten
/ der, generous heart. She has made me
human once more; and in doing so, she
has proved the folly of nv first mad
| dream, and taugh, me how pure woman
! is loved"
| But for this promise vou would ask her
then ?" said Ford
hI Flttlh Si0ittN iltlt ultl lol reply.
Here's i.ylatt, With l.;s c"a nanctn
al to a minute How dye YOU do Gpr-
: aid -
"Charlie," exclaimed the officer, shak-
ing hands warmly, Now this is lucky.
| have some business for YOU"
"What can you have 10 10 in the law r.
asked Ford
''Congratnlaie me You two cried
l-yeett gaily. n have proposed and been
accepted, and you are wanted TO draw
the marriage settlements
The lady said Mr. Frank averIine
his ''who is the happy one ~
''My charming cousin replied the
captain
There was 4 moments silence then
Frank said in 4 broken voice :'''l am
sorry | cannot Join yon to-day; have
Just recolected an appointment in town
which must be kept | VIII meet YOU At
dinner" ana went ont without another
word
whats the matt,'r'" inquired l.vcett;
'is he i'll ?"
Cant say" was The reply perhaps
SO. He will hr hnttrr in lhr evening. |
dare say"
= While his friends were in the -tnbie,
I4"i.t- "n@7 ii i..sa "I t" trWn in the cN-
press The news which Captain l.ycett
had announced had cut him 10 the heart
lie was conscious that Julia could never
De has; The promise the accnrsrd promise,
prevented that lut he had never con
templatPd her BENG The wife ot another
He had taken their happy life az it came,
and meyer anticipated 1hr day when =
husband and children should prevent her
participating in it, Now all was II an
end. She would marry her cousin ami
pe'hap9 leave the pleasant house so dear TO
him henanse she lived there. never to re-
turn. He might never see her more, or
ii he did only with her husband At her
side. and her children at her knee.
Other cares, other duties, another
existence would come TIE past wa
dead and its ashes cold We'll. Heaven
bless her" he exclaimed, land may her
husband love her as well as 40, and her
children make her lite ~ happy aS she
has made mine.
1t was evening when Frank reached
his house, and 10 his surprise he found
that neither Mr. Ford nor the captain was
there The servant said that 4 letter had
arrived from London for the LAWYER. and
had been given 10 him on hs return from
shooting that on opening il he seemed
disturbed and uneasy. and with the re-
mark that il contained bad news tor Mrs.
Beauchamp had gone 10 her house, ac-
companied by the captain
Hastily ordering dinner 10 be kept
back. Frank followed him lie found
Ford, and Mrs. Reauchamp, who was in
tears.
"NIy dear madam, what can have
happened ?' exclaimed Frank
Not much. said Charlie handing him
an open letter ''l5ickersteth Il Co have
smashed, that is all, and Mr., Reauchamp
is ruined
Frank took the note and read it, 1t
was very short and was from Fords
clerk, who stated that the firm mentioned
, had failed, and there was no hope OF re-
covering anything.
X You We're shareholder in this com
pany, madam ?" said Frank
Mrs. Beauchamp held twelve thou
sand pounds OF shares, paid up entirely,
except the last fifty pound call, -" said the
lawyer.
''And this blow ruins her. said Frank.
X Totally" said Mrs Beaucbamp; $50
entirely, my dear friend that | shall have
! to leave this pleasant house. and seek 10
earn my own livelihood. do not care
so much for myself as for my poor girl
there, whose happiness is wrecked
| Frank looked out Of the window, and
saw Captain l.ycett and Miss Beauchamp
I in the garden. One look At her happy
face decided him.
Il shall not be-" he said halt aloud.
"What shall not he, Frank e. demand
ed Ford
This wrecking Of her happiness" I"
said Frank "Look ror, madam ri buy
/ these shares
Impossible, my dear fellow, they are
| worthless,' said Ford.
u addressed Mrs. Beaucliamp." said
/ Frank II have some forty thousand in
ready money, and have taken a fancy to
! buy these shares at par
Il cannot consent to such robbery, Mr..
Churchill" said the lady.
But you must, madam" said Frank.
'Listen. In buying these shares, which
may or may nor be worthless, whom do
l wrong9 My heir2 am the last of the