The Morning herald., 1876-09-07
THE LOST LETTER.
II.
orpruup FROM YEsTERnAY's EDITION

msrNuBp FROM YEsTERnAY's nDIT1oN.
Fanny, who had been all along listening
/ 10 the narration with an eager and interest
| Al countenance, now exclaimed-"Dying
d broken heart Poor thing But if l
we're she, would not break my heart-l
would scorn him as something far beneath
me Door and unimportant as / am. No, /
might break my heart for the loss of true
lover, bat never for the loss Of false one!'
As Fanny's eyes shone, and her lip curled
with loftly contempt, as her naturally
clear merry tones grew deeper and stronger
with the indignation she expressed, mist
seemed suddenly to be cleared away from
the eyes of Mrs, Beauchamp, and in that
slight young girl she beheld the breathing
image Of one whom she had once intimate
ly known and dearly loved-in those in
dignant accents she seemed to recognize the
tones ola voice long since heard, but the
echoes of which yet fingered in her heart.
Why she had so loved Fanny Dalton was
no mystery now-she saw in her but the
genuer type of him whom she had once
believed the master of her destiny-even
Of Philip Hayforth, leng heard Of, but
never forgotten. But what connection
could there be between Philip Hayforth
and Fanny Dalton? and whence this strange
resemblance, which lay not 50 much in
form Or in feature, as in that nameless, in
tangible similarity Of expression, gesture,
manner, and voice, SO frequently exhibited
by members ofthe same family.
As soon as Mrs. Beauchamp could quit
the table, she withdrew to her own room,
where she remained for some time in deep
meditntion, the result Of which was a
determination to fathom the mystery, if
there was. 1t was just possible, too, that
the attempt might assist her 10 find key
to the riddle of her own destiny. Accord
lngly, on the afternoon of the same day,
she took an opportunity Of being alone
with Miss Dalton and her son, to say to
the former-"I think you told me, my
dear, that your father was alive ?"
"Oh yes, thank God, he is alive How
! wish you knew him, Mrs. Beaucbamp
think you would like him, and am
sure he would like and admire you."
Does your father at all resemble you in
appearance"
lam not sure. l have been told that
Twas like him, and l always consider it
sagreat compliment for papa is still very
handsome man, and was Of course even
1sndsomer !. when he was young, and before
ns ~ halr became gray. have = miniature
likeness of him, taken before his marriage,
which which | have with me, and will show you,
hyou will SO far indulge my vanity"
Mrs. Beauchamp having replied that she
should like exceedingly to see it, Fanny
alpped away, aad returned in a few min
u'ess carrying in her hand handsome
out o!d-fashioned morocco case. Mrs.
seauchamp had never seen j. before, but
sae s remembered having given directions
.er - t''e making Of a case of that very size,
snape, and color, for a miniature which
was TO have been painted for her. Her
aeart began to beat. She seemed upon
Inc me brink of a discovery. Fanny now
Hpened pp the case, and placed it before Mrs.
lDea9champ, l exclaimed, "Now, isn't he a
handsome mani" But Mrs. Beauchamp
so@ soa!d not answer. One glance had been
.Sunclent. A cold mist gathered before
.' ner eyes, and she was obliged to lean for
support p upon the back of chair.
,,iN Dear Mrs. Beauchamp, are you illF"
my dear motherw cried Edmund.
It's nothing" she answered, quickly
iaecGVerlng ! herself "only a little faintness."
= Aaa then with the self.command which
"a .oag habit had made easy, she sat down
slu continued with her usual calm sweet
uess-"i us could almost fancy I had seen
your father; but I do not remember ever
ShuVwlng S's anyone of the name Of Dalton
ill., vh, but perhaps you minght haye seen
.a. u,u before changed his name and yet it
T sselns hardly likely. His name used to b.
!. nasylorth; but by the will of his former
Rss!'ner, |ss who, dying without near relations
's!i u \ Papa all his money, he took the name
!, !" ppalton. The money is all gone now,
W ~ oe sure" she continued with the faintest
hi sigh "but we all loved the dear
W ~ man, and 80 we still keep his name."
b. rauny had seated herself beside Mrs.
H. Ihsaau,champ, and as she finished speaking,
y. ,s..I latter, obeying the impulse Of her
,sa ,sar'' Grew her towards her and kissed
asa;, seI; Fanny, whose feelings were not only
,n" ,'",.y touched, and very strong, but even
'uus''aily ,.0n demonstrative, threw her arms
as aUuna ~ Mrs. Beauchamp, and cried, with
"a ears in her eyes, "How kind you are to
w ~ Mrs. Beauchamp! You could hardly
~ .M .AM1noer, If you were my mother"
,na oear Fanny" she answered in low
.us us.. ahectonate tone, II wish indeed, /
we're your mothery' |
AZ shs spoke. Edmund. Who had hson