The Morning herald., 1876-09-09
THE LOST LETTER,
IL.
~o-,-tsrEn reou Y1s1Es DAYS EDzr-oN.

Bowipg low, he replied, II have already
learned from my daughter to know ara &c
esteem Mrs. Beauchamp."
The more Mr.. Dalton saw OF Mrs
Beauchamp, the more bewildered ne De-
came. He fancied what appeared to hln
the strangest ifnpogsibilities, and yet he
found it impossible, to believe that there
was no ground for his vague conjects1re.s
His life had be.n Oneof jncessant toll,
lately one Of heavy distress and anIlou.
cares, which had frequently sent him to
sleepless pillow; but never had he spent
more wakeful night than this his first
under the stately roof which his daughter
his darling Fanny called that OF hsl
home. He feltthat he could not endure
another day Of this uncertainty He must
be satisfied at all hazards, and he resolved
to make an opportunity, should such moi
sPontaneonsly present itst Bat he5sFsas
spared the necessity; fors after breakfast
the following morning his hostess offered
to show him the grounds-an offer which.
with his desired end in view, he eagerly
accepted. They commenced their walk in
silence, and seemed as if both were sud
denly under the influence of some secret
spell. AT last, in a hoarse voice and a
constrained manner, Mr.. Dalton abruptly
inquired, "Pray, madam, may l ask
though fear the the question may seem
an uncermonious, perhaps strange one
il you have any relations Of the name OF
Sherwood ?'
He saw her start, as she answered. with
forced composure, ayes, Mr. Dalton, l
have. 1t was indeed my own name belole e
married."
As she made this avowal, both stood
still, it would seem by sort Of tacit, mu-
tual consent, and earnestly looked. at each
other.
Philip Hayforth Dalton was now man
past the meridian Of life; his once hand
some and still striking countenance was
deeply marked with lines of sorrow and
Care, and his dark luxurient locks were
4hinned and grizzled while his features,
which had long schooled to betray no sign
OF emotion Of . transient or superficial ma
tnre, were now, as his eyes met those of
Mrs. Beauchamp's conyulsed as by the
working ola strong passion, A slight
tlnged Emily's usually pale cheek she
drew rapid breath, and her voice taltered
percsptibly as she said at last, eyes,
Philip Hayforth. ! am Emily Sher-
Woodw
Not Immediately did he reply by word
or look-not till she had asked somewhat
eagerly, eve are friends, Mr.. Dalton, are
We not%"
Pride wrestled for a minute with the
bitter nature of Philip Hayforth; bat
whether 1t were that his self-command was
now greater than in the fiery and impass-
Toned sea son Of youth, or that it was diff
cult to maintain anger and resentment in
!he gentle, soothing, and dignifed presence
IN which he now found himself, Iunder-
take not to tell but certain It is that this
time at least he crushed the old demon
down, and forced himself to answer,
enough with formal manner and some
what harsh tone, Friends, Mrs. Beau
champ! Certainly We are friends, il you
wish it. Your goodness to my poor moth
erless Fanny has completely cencelled all
wrongs ever done to ,Fanny's father. Let
'he past be forgotten ~
Not 80, if you please" she answered
gently, rather let it be explained. Mr..
Dalton, we are neither of us young now,
ana have both, I trust, outlived the rash
ness OF youth, Never till our mutual
.rotn IS made mutually clear can we be
M .ne friends we ought to be--the friends l
wish we were for -Edmund's and Fanny's
SAKE Let both speak plainly and boldly,
ana without fear Of offence on either side.
promise, on mine, to take none at the
ruth, whateverit may be" A'N 6t'tA W
., MI Mr.! Dalton, as he spoke. regarded her
earnestly and wonderingly, saying, as he
ttnlsaed, half in reverie, half Addressing
mef. 1t would seem, '.The same clear coed
sense, the same sweet temper, which I had
persuaded myself was but the effect of a
ueluslve Imagination But entreat your
9araon' 9g' madam, and promise is yoil. have
ro,, "Iell me then, truly, Mr.. Dalton, Why
Joo never answered the last letter wrote