The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-01-19

daughter became one of his earliest pupils
Judge Benham will be long remembered as
a man who, from the humblest beginning,
wrought out for himself, by his unaided ex-
crtions, and held unchallenged for many
years, position in the front rank of his pro-
fession, at bar long and widely distinguish
ed for learning and brilliancy. Between
him and Souvreigne there grew up from the
first a mutual interest and admiration; and
in response to often reiterated invitations it
became the habit of the latter alter q while,
to spend at least one evening a week, and
sometimes, two or three, with the Judge in
his library at home.
Judge Benham was at this time widow
er, his family consisting only of himself and
two children-a daughter of about sixteen,
Adele, and q son three years younger.
When quite young, the Judge, then just be-
ginning to distinguish himself in his profess
sion, but as yet scarcely known outside his
native city-surprised his friends by marry
ing, after brief courLship, Miss Adelaide
Harnden, a famous beauty, and at the time a
leading belle in society at Washington, but
older by some few years than himself. This
lady's father Colonel Harnden of Louisiana,
had then but recently returned with his fam
lily from Paris, where he had spent several
years as an attache of the United States
legation, and he now held the position of
Assistant Postmaster General. In Paris Miss
Harnden had been noted for her grace and
beauty, and frequent rumors reached her
friends at home of her brilliant conquests in
the gay capital. 1t was even reported at one
time, that she had formed matrimonial en-
gagement with very high dignitary indeed
a member of the royal household, who af-
terward became somewhat distinguished in
connection with the French diplomatic ser
vice. But time brought no confirmation of
this report, and the whole story had been set
at rest by the return of Miss Harnden to
America with her fathers family, as has been
said With a crowd of sritors in her train,
some of whom were by no means insignifi-
cant personages. Miss Harnden chose at
last to accept the hand of the handsome but
comparatively obscure Young attorney, who
loved her ardently, as she knew, and who,
from that day until the day of her death
q period of about fifteen years--never wav-
cred in his devotion to her.
On the occasion of Souvreignc's visit to
Judge Benham, Adele, who was the idol of
her father and his favorite companion at all
times, was almost always present as listen
er to the conversation, and sometimes her.
self Joined in it. Indeed, Souvreigne's bright
spirits at these times, his quick apprehension
and ready sympathy, were all so infectious
that even the dullcst mortal could hardly
listen for half an hour to his glowing talk
without being himself moved to speak as
we'll as to listen. Adele was far from dull i;
and it not unfrequently happened that Judge
Benham, who was of a more phlegmatc and
methodical habit than either his daughter or
his guest. would suddenly find himself left
far behind in y controversy which he had
been conducting patiently and logically
while the impetuous Adele fought out his
battles for him with such spirit and vigor as
to quite bewider him. AS for Souvreigne,
however he may have been impressed with
the weight Of her argument, he at any rate
found it difficult to withstand the flushed
cheeks and flashing eyes of his vehement lit
tie adversary, and thus she had often the
dubious satisfaction, deprecated by many
clever woman whose misfortune 1t has
beeusto be beautiful as well as clever, OF see
ing her most mpregnable logic entirely mis-
carry, while her dazed antagonist yielded
point after point. and ultimately the whole
field, to the mere force of her beauty.
Judge Benham may be excused for failing
to consider, in the pleasure of listening to
them, the result to which these amicable
strifes were pretty sure to lead, sooner OF
later. He repented keenly his remissness
when the truth was one day suddenly revealed
to him.
Coming home from his office one evening
he found upon his library desk a letter ad
dressed to himself, and indorsed ''Private.' >
Seating himself, the Judge adjusted his
glasses, opened the letter deliberately, read
it at glance, read it second time, and
then sprang to his feet, his face flushed
crimson.
1.-The scoundrel!' - he cried ''Adcle, you
know what this letter contains. This i'm
maculate man has stolen the heart Of my
daughter, has he? I trusted you my child. u
1t was Adele's turn to grow indignant
now.
eff you mean Souvreigne," she exclaimed
s'then I'm sure l don't know what he has
done He has never said a word to me-"
''Perhaps you would like to read what he
has said to me?'
81 am not afraid to read it, sir"
''Well, read it." And he gave her the
letter which had caused all this tumult, and
which was indeed from Souvreigne. She
also read it at a glance, and read it second
time, and then she looked straight into hel
fathers face, and said once more with sob
''He has never said word to me-" and then
broke down and cried lmmoderately for ten
minutes.
Meanwhile the Judge sat down before the
CRATE and warmed his toes while his anger
cooled.
What did this incendiary document really
contain? Only line or two to say that the
writer would do himself the honor to cal
upon Judge Benham at 10 o'clock the follow
ing morning, to ask him for the hand Of his
daughter, whom he loved.
And yet Adele was quite right in saying
that he had never said one word to her-one
word, as she meant, to foreshadow the
declaration contained in this brief note to
her father. But if it be asked whether or moi
that declaration was as complete surprise
to her as it certainly was to the Judge, tho
question must be cvaded. Who can fathOn
a woman's intuitions?
Drying her eyes at last, Adele came anC
knelt beside her fathers low chair, and laic
her fresh check against his hoary beard, anG
for while they both looked into the Goals
together, without word on either side. The
fires of his wrath had not quite died out Of
the Judges heart, and as for Adele, she haC
nothing to say-she only waited for the law
to be proclaimed.
HAS the man ever annoyed you in any
way?" asked the father at last.
''Never; he is the truest gentleman l cvel
saw p the daughter answered quickly, anG
with a flicker Of excitement in her eyes that
disquieted him anew.
''Nevertheless, he is scoundrcl," he CRIED
hotly, Gas all rowing Frenchmen are. He
shall be admitted when he comes in the
morning; but thenceforward Adele, yor
will neither see him nor speak of him.
The law was proclaimed. Behold the Sc
quence.
Punctually at the hour appointed the nex
morning, Souvreigne came and was received
hu Ind 90 Ranharn in his lihraru Snmathinn