The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-09-18
FREMONT SANDUSKY COUNTY OHIO; FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 49, 1874

forever after, if you like!" my pru-
dence all cast to the four winds.
The words must have struck him
hard and heavy, but he made no sign
not then.
evil you tell me who were your
companions in last nights orgies? .
some suspicion which l had not wit
enough to guess at, prompting his
inquiry.
81 should be glad to tell you,"
replied, with an impertinent afecta-
tion of coxcombry, "but, unfortun-
ately, one woman who was present
fills my mind to the exclusion of all
Others. can describe her, if you
wish. for she was more beautiful
than an hour seen in a dream of
Paradise"
"a woman-a womanr He con-
trOlled his shaking limbs, and raised
his head with one of the old sharp
glances flashing out from his keen,
gray eyes. "What is her name?"
''Miss Harrison-Miss Rosalind
Harrison" l simpered. "Yon know
the family, grandfather-the Harri-
sons of the South"
Janet! Janetw My grandfather
suddenly raised his voice, calling
loudly. / stood stupefed with as
tonishment. In another moment
Janet was by my side, futtering
with anxious solicitude. He took
her hand in his, and, turning her to
the cruel light, studied intently the
fair young face which not even a
nights sleepless watching could
make less than freshly lovely. Jan
ct, my Janet, do you love this man,
this Theodore Burr? Is your true
heart bound up in him, my girl?
Alas, Alas" he added, as, blushing
and soObing %, grandpapap' she hid
her pure young face in his bosom.
He held it there, and kissed the
bright brown curls in a passion Of
fierce tenderness. Then he turned
to me:
81 forgive you this once, for the
sake of my girl, who; God pity her.!
loves you. But, mind you, only this
once; for not even you shall play
fast and loose with my darling. When
once her name is dropped between
us, Master Ted, it is dropped forever.
1 know the Harrisons; they are bad,
core through. Old and young are
alike treacherous and deceitful. Who
plays with them plays a losisg game,
Let me warn you in time"
He shook fearfully,as if with ague.
1 offered to support him, fearing
that he would fall, but he repulsed
me and led Janet away. I could
hear him muttering to her of "Poor
girl, my Janet" and of the "bad
Burr blood" that spoiled me. And
then he kissed her, weeping. How
he loved that girl!
When I went back to the college
town, the Harrisons were already es-
tablished there; Burt and l were
classmates. He took me to see Ro.
salind, and she straightway cast the
old fatal spell over me. 1 loved her
passionately when 1 was with her;
but when l was away | longed to
hear Janet's voice, to feel the touch
of her hand. 1 thought of Rosalind
by day, but dreamed of Old Janet
by night. l had been at school only
a few weeks, when a peremptory
summons came, bidding me home. |
The message was given in such terms |
that l feared serious illness was at
the bottom Of it, and1hed homeward |
like the wind. Janet was not in
sight. A servant led me up to my |
grandfather's room. He was sitting
alone, majestic gray figure, by the
table. l hastened forward to greet
him, but he suddenly stretched out
his hand and repulsed me with a
gesture so stern; a look so pathetic
and dignifed, that stood as ifroot-
ed to the floor.
Don't speak! don't touch mep
he said, until you have read that,
and explained it." He pointed with
a long, lean finger to an open letter
on the table.
l took it up; it was the history of
my intercourse with Rosalind Har-
rison from beginning to end-terri-
bly, precise, terribly true! felt the
blood surging hot and dark into my
face under those piercing, needle
ike gray eyes that watched me as 1
read the damned treachery.
"Is it true?' my grandfather asked;
but l could not reply. as it true,
sirT' persisted the pitiless voice,
and then 1 forced myself to look
up.
"Itis true, in part, 1 am afraid.
But, 0, grandfather! for pity sake
listen to me; let me speak one word
for myself 1 am not so wholly /
base, or to blame, as this says"
''Stop% my grandfather cried. 81
will not hear another word. The
one fact that l wanted to be assured
Of before l condemned you, is true.
You have confessed it. You have
been false to my Janet. Janet! Jan
1t! The pathetic old voice, break
ng out into this strange, sad cry,
'uDg through the lonelypasssges and
cached her, wherever she was. She
lew into the room, and, bending
)ver him, without look at me, kis-
led his white hair and withered
,heeks, soothing him tenderly.
''Janet, my girl-my brave girl!
It's all true. You and 1 are left to
owe each other alone, Janet" he
said, clinging to her hands. /
"And we are quite happy, grand
'apa," answered her sweet clear
-oice; ''quite happy you and 1!
Cheer up-Cheer up, Dada~ (
I stood apart, listening, as if on {
he other side of great gulf. Meth
r of them looked at me.
Forgive mew l pleaded, for once s
n humbleness. "If you are thus
to cast me out of your !
Iearts, let me, at least hear you say
hat you forgive me before 1 60" '
''Why should we bear enmity !
gainst a stranger Jauet2" said my
with cruel distinctness, /
Let him go in peace. Those whom a
e took in place of us to be his t
riends have already played the part
f Judas and betrayed him." d
What could 1 say? For it was
,,,rt usrrisOpsa hand rhat u1eL~i1 Z