The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-07-15
THE BEACON LIGHT,

Yes, was to be married the coming
fall to Rollin Weatherbee, heir of the
Weatherbee estate. How matters had
progressed so far and L had been en-
gagged to Rollin | scarcely knew. Did [
love him 1 asked myself many times,
without being able to answer the query
My mother had very quietly and in her
determined way settled the whole affair,
and I supposed 1 had nothing to do but
quietly submit to the decree. L did not
dislike Rollin, and indeed there was lit
tie about him to make one do anything
but like him. | knew my young female
friends envied me.
1 Iwas paying my last maiden visit with
my mother and the wedding day was
drawing near. At the seaside where we
were I met Breeze Rogers, and our ac-
quaintance at once ripened into friend
ship. 1 had scarcely noted the growth
of this intimacy until one evening Breeze
and were taking our accustomed walk,
when he suddenly turned to me and
said:
els this thing true your mother tells
me?"
"What thing?" almost whispered,
"You know" he answered fiercely.
els it true that you are to be the wife of
Rollin Weatherbee next October That
you are here to make your preparations"
eyes" The word came almost with
gasp. He took my hands in his and
looked down upon me.
"You shall not-you shall not 1 love
you, you are mine, now and forever"
Before could speak or cry ont he had
taken me in his arms, and was raining
kisses upon my lips. 1 was young,
romantic and impulsive. This man had
aroused strange feeling in my breast,
that now, us lay in his arms, L believed
must be love. L could see the reckless
beauty of his face as it bent above me,
and almost unconsciously L clasped my
arms about his neck, sobbing wildly,
and whispering: "Oh, if L had known
YOU sooner-if it were not too late."
cit is not too late, he cried, passion
ately, straining me to his heart. "You
are mine, now and for all time. You
must be my wife! %
"But l cannot" 1 sobbed, 81 am
bound to another-the wedding day
draws near"
81 care nothing for that. You must
wed me, and no other. L cannot give
you up.
His imperious manner, his impassion-
ed earnestness, aroused my girlish ad
miration. He seemed like some knight
of olden romance to me, besides whom
Rollin Weathcrbee, with his patrician
beauty, was completely overshadowed.
For three weeks l met Rogers each day,
- and listened to his words of passionate
devotion. AT last came an afternoon late
in September. l was to meet Breeze
that evening, and stood looking out at
the gorgeous sunset, with a heart full
of contending emotions, when mamma
came into the room. "Rose," she said,
"you remember Breeze Rogers who
came here so often some time ago ?"
Remember him! but L only said
eyes, mother" in very low voice.
"Well, Harwood tells me q painful
thing in connection with him. She says
her husband tells her it is the neighbor-
hood talk now. 1t seems there is a very
lovely young girl, gardeners daughter,
Cora Smith by name, whom Breeze has
been very attentive to for some months.
The girls father says she is betrothed to
him. At all events, he has been most
ardent lover, for year or more, and
now, without a word, or any apparent
cause, he has deserted her. Has not
been near her for two months, and the
girl is very ill-calling for him constant
ly, but he does not go near her. 1t is
thought she will die. She is poor,
frail, childish thing, and never knew
what it was to suffer before. 1t is very
sad. What heartless villain he must
be"
My heart seemed to die within me. A
rush of emotion, shame, anger, grief,
misplaced love and wounded pride
fought together in my breast. Oh how
mean the man was whom l had placed
above Rollin Weatherbee in my hearts
affection. How l despised him, for that
moment. Then L began to think it
might not be so there might be some
mistake 81 will go to him tonight"
l thought, "and / shall know"
L did go, when the shadows of the
cleaning settled down over the earth.
l found him waiting for me. He held
out his arms, but stood aloof.
Go to Cora Smith, 1 said. "She
is entitled to your caresses-she wants
them-I do not"
Ineeded no further proof of his guilt.
His face turned crimson from brow to
chin, and then pale as death.
"What do you know of her ?" he cried,
hoarsely. "Who has been telling you
lies 2"
"No one," answered. Your face
is proof of the truth of all 1 have
heard. will make this our last meet
ing. My eyes are opened in time, thank
God. L do not want to set them upon
you again. Do not try to see me, for it
will be useless. 1 utterly despise you.
Go back to the only person who be-
ieves you worthy of loye-who is dying
for you"
turned and sped back to the house,
and for two weeks scarcely stepped out
side its walls. was ill in mind and
body. My unreasoning romantic folly,
that 1 had called love, died suddenly at
one blow, and knew there was only one
man in the W. that I loved, or ever