Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-09-14

de was OF gOOu idHiliy, an" h"'
ing travelled all of his early life, had
returned home to spend his days IN
enjoyment, feeding his appetite for
pleasures without regard TO cost. In
fact. he was considered 10y "anticf'a
tive mammasr as the firsS " "catcii in
the county.
A few months before the opening oi
this story, Mr.. Wentworth had lnvi-
ted to visit him distant relative,
Preston Sylvester, who had just re
turned from Europe after completing
his education.
Preston was no ordinary man, beng
young, handsome, talented, and po"-
sessing "A noble nature, he bid tair to
crave for himself an enviable name.
Being left an orphan it fifteen, and
having no means to live upon. he vas
at once thrown upon his own exettloil'
TO maintain himself, and nobiy did he
struggle, until Mr.. Wentworth, hear
ing of his condition, sent for him to
come and remain with him.
Preston accepted the irvitatioi, and
through the kindness Of Mr.. Went
worth received a thorough collegiate
education in .smeriica, and aftcr0ar
passed two years in Europe. HE re
turned polished man OF The word
but not spoiled by itspraisrs.
Upon his return to America he ha<
gone to Riverside, Mr.. Wentworth
handsome country-sear, and 1t was
while here that he had mot ard loved
Gertrude Clyde. That young lady re
turned his love with all the warmth, o
her naturd but as 1.-THE course Of tru'
love never run smooth it did no
make an exception in their favor, fo
/ Mrs. Clyde was bitterly opposed t'
Preston; for though Madame a.daio
reported him To he the heir 90 Nr
Wentworth's vast estates, SHE Iii'-teiht
ed to have heard from a better soarc'
than that gossiping lads that he wa
not the heir, "r +t
BE this as it may, Preston hati ds
termined To go'out West and Seek In
fortune, and no longer remained de
pendent upon Mr.. Wentworth, aud i
was upon the eve of his departure tha
he was introduced to the reader, an'
he was returning with Gertrude 'ron
a sal, upon the riye'.
1 Arriving at the landing, Preston a>
sisted his fair compaiop rom tn
boat, and arm-in-arm they proceeie'
10 the house.
Mrs Clyde was seated upon ID
yeran,lah, and aS 'hey ascontyj n
steps she reprOved Gertrude ior tr
maiiiing SO late upon the water, ~
coldly returned preston's rOi diai %,
t II. it4tf
to her. t.sF ,-.,..
Gertrude entered the house, an'
i PrstNp drawing his chair near to Mn
Clyde, told her OF his devoted love to
her, daughter, aud begged that h
might one day hope to claim her. 4,
Mrs. Clyde listened quietly to ali h
! had 10 say, aud then the answer cam,
cool and cutting: lfr
"Mr. Sylvester, y0u can never hpi,
to gain the hand OF Gertrude C'ldt
with my consent. ! disapproye altt
gether of your visits to my honse, aur
wish them to cease at once
! Preston rose slowly, almost stunne'
by the blow, and, bowing low, left til
house. Arriving at Riverside, b
sought Mr.. Wentworth, in the library
and told him of his blasted hopes, an
his determination to leave at once 10
California, then the great resort Z
thousands of iortun-.iiniers. Nj
Wentwerth tried hard to .iisssade hiI
from his purpose, saying he would Sc
Ms CLYDE and all might yet be well
but finding him firm in his 's.s.'Iutioi
he placed in his hands check TOR
thousand dollars, and wished him SUI
cess iu the future. .
Preston retired to his room, an
wrote a long, loving letter TO Gertrud
, aSiing her TO " trIe to him for ~
.Sears, and in that time hehOped to n
turn rich in Tins worlds goods, All
claim her from her mother. ''- W
This letter he gave to Jack, n faitl
ful negro servant oi Mr.. WentNoTth
and asked him to deliver it to Ge
trude. PC .1fA5f