Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-06-06

"The first thing is to telegraph to your
friends at s. that you are safe. To
whom where you going"
"To the Lamberts."
They are friends of ours, oddly enough.
You must let me telegraph them that you
cannot 60 further tonight. Then stay
with us, only few miles on-witb my
mother and sister. They will do every
thing in their power for you; and you can
20 on tomorrow, when you have rested y
At this moment the station-master's
wife came to beg Mss Frere to enter her
house till few carriages were got ready
to proceed, and l devoted myself to help.
ing the wounded, and doing what could
be done to alleviate their suferings. In an
hour the road was suficiensly clear for an
engine to take three or four carriages on.
Miss Frere accompanied me, and much to
nv mothers amazement / took her home.
1t was quite clear that she could not pro-
ceed, for she tainted moro than once before
l got her safely housed for the night. Nor
could she Lave her room for three days.
1t was impossible for the above events
to have happened without my having old
feelings strongly recalled to my heart. |
was miserably anxious until she was able
to be brought into the drawing room. L
was decidedly in love with Miss Frere.
I could not, however, do more than
worship nv goddess assiduously, as if that
did aught but heap fuel on the fire! She
was rich mans only daughter-nay, his
only child. Mr.. Frere had been down to
see her while she was i'll, but had been
obliged to hurry off, and gratefully COM
mend her to our further care. What
right had to interfere with his plans?
Another consideration had still more
weight with me. She had never named
Buchanan, which I magnified into an ac-
acknowledgement that they were engaged
especially when ] remembered the familiar
terms on which they had been on the only
two occasions when had previously met
Miss Frere. How could | be SO treasona-
bic to my friend as to undermine him in
his absense? Clearly I could not make
love openly to his .damcee. But | was
nettled all the same; and l, too never
mentioned his name.
Our talks became longer and more conf
dental. Sometimes | even read to her.
Then there were always little cares to be
attended to, flowers to be put near her
couch, her shawl to be arranged over her
feet, and so forth. 1t was sweet yet a
terribly dangerous thing to be thus brought
into such close relations with lovely and
loveable girl. Perhaps she felt it too,
for she was in no lively mood the last two
days Of her visit.
The end must come to the sweetest
dreams. Miss Frere was now well enough
to leave on the morrow; was to depart
for India the following week. Naturally
that evening we were neither very cheer
full Ny sister was gone to visit friend !;
my mother knitted in silence. Twilight
crept i and brought its store of sad memo
ries. We were to part for long term of
years tomorrow. Still how could speak
of love2 Be base to Buchanan and abuse
his trustf never!
At length Miss Frere rose and went to
the piano. She had light touch, and a
voice as full of expression as her face. At
ter few short bars, she broke into the
dreamy music of Faust" and sang with
the utmost pathos. / listened, leaning on
the back of my chair in raptures. Pres
emily she stopped, and remained seated
at the instrument as if in deep thought.
had never till then noticed that my
mother had been called out of the room.
After pause rose. "Miss Frere, to-
morrow will end the sweetest week of my
whole life"
"Will it indeedi" (Here was stopper
on enthusiasm ~
"Can you doubt it2 And next week
90 to India. positively hate India!"
Yes-no doubt"
81 hope, Miss Frere, that you will be
very happy. I am sure that you deserve
it."
"Do II but thank you all the same u
and still she remained pensive.
At length l said desperately, "Well, |
shall sometimes-often - think of you.
When is the happy day to be- Excuse
my asking, but feel quite an old friend
you know
Tomorrow"
"To. morrow! Good graciousl Miss
Frere, what do you mean2"
She looked up startled. "To-morrow.
Did you not say, when was the unhappy
day ?" .
"No; I said when was the happy day y"
"What happy day?"
"What happy day' Why-when-
Observation-Disclosures you are
to be married"
Married !" and she jumped up and
opened her eyes widely-"married! who
ever said ! was going to be married
What do yon mean?"
Iremained silent moment. We look
ed into each others faces, and then fairly
laughed
"Why, of course" l said feeling very
much relieved, 81 thought you were go
ing to marry my old friend Buchanan.
MARRY my cousin Dick, whom have
known from his cradle! Who ever
thought Of such a things"
"Then if you are not going to married,
IT,"
81 am not going to be married at all, !
tell YOU" she said archly.
"But, Miss Frere--Ellen-don't let us
make our lives waste for want of words.
If asked you to be married for the sake
of very old, old love that | have cherished
for you, and because-well, because of our
preservation the other night"-and drew
near and took her hands" ell. Ellen2"
"Well, if you asked me, perhaps might
possible consent to change my mind
But that was all she said. for in another
poomant che Voc of nv heart