The Morning herald., 1877-10-06

ooh, Arthur! this is deadfulp" sighed
forth Rosalie.
"And | consider it perfectly delightfulw
cried Arthur, with gaiety which was partly
assumed, to cheer the fair girl by his side,
and partly the real ebuLttion Of his hopeful
temp rament.
"You are not speaking as you think" tho
young girl said, with rcpr1achful sadness.
"Why is it not charming and lover-hke
that should be compelled to creep about
in the cold and darkness, and to Chamber up
. ladder, that may reach the darling girl
whom before the world / have a right y,
tlaim.
Arthur had comfortably raised his voice
while saying tllis; sni his young wife now
paccdhor hand upon his lips, entreating
him to be silent and then she rose, and
walked toward the door aud listened for .
moment.
Yes, Rosalie Rathborne-who was in
deco the young girl we have termed her,
for she had buJ recently attained her seven
teenth year of life--aEd Arthur Gresham
were man and Wits.
1t was now some months since they had
been clandestinely married, under what cir
cumstances will presently be shown; and a.
our story shall progress, it also will be seen
what misery and suffering may await a dis
obelient child.
This romance Of the heart, which we are
now commencing will, bye and bye, no
doubt. be termed SENSATIONAL but, ere it
end. it will have read lesson worthy to be
learned by all who need the teaching.
While Rosalie was still standing near the
door, her husband said to her -
"Why are you listening, darling?"
81 fancied that I heard step in the lob
by without, but was suppose, mistaken"
the young wife answered, IN low tone, 40
she returned, and again s,~.ted herself be-
side her husband.
"Of course you were I2,istaken, DEAR"
said Gresham. "No ona comes unlimited
to this wing a the buA>liug, it is so re-
mote"
Then, again laughing, be added, eve are
secure against all interruption from the
servants, in consequence Of a foul deed
which there is an extremely vague notion
was committed here nobody knows when"
"My cousin, Augusta, is SO keen OF obscr-
walton, and should she suspect-' began
Eos:.lie, but WIS stopped by her husband.
who said:
81 do not believe, my love, that Mistress
Augusta Calncliord has nlerited that you
should hold her in such terror. With mo
she has always been very pleasant and ami
bic, Of late, especially SO; and [ am not
without hope that when the crisis which we
so greatly dred shall arrive-as soon it
mu55--we shall ind In her our most inhuen-
tial advocate
81 cannot think it," Rosaie observed.
"Slne likes me uot-wilereiore, cannot tell.
She is a hypoerit4 it4.-thGt ! know; and tits
to her that am most indebted that my
fathers heart grows colder to me day by
day."
"Well, be it even as you say, dear Rosa
lie," Gresham said, gayly; "and, come what
else may, nor she, nor any other can unmar-
ry us-so let us be. grateful, at least, for
that"
"Our secret cannot much longer now be
hidden" Rosalie plaintlvely uttered; chow
ever terrible the consequences that may re-
suit from the discovery, must be openly
proclaimed wife ere | become a mother"
And the poor young creature, blushing,
buried her face upon her husbands breast
He had commenced some words of COM
fort to her, when he was interrupted, ana
both were greatly startled by sharp
knocking at the door Of their apartment
both stood silent and motionless, and lis
tened with bated breath--soon the knock
inc was repeated, and female voice was
heard, calling:
"Rosalie Rosale"
No answer was given, no word was spok-
en- by those within the chamber. Arthur
Gresham snatched his young wife to his
arms, held her for one moment in fervent
embrace, then hurried to the window, and
descended by the same means which ne had
entered-as he touched the ground, two
large, coarse hands fixed their grasp upon
his throat, and he was struggling with ne
knew not whom; what his assallant was
Ike it was impossible in that nights pltchy
darkness to distinguish.
Rosalic had heard the \partly y-srnothered
exclamations OF her husb1hd and his antag-
onist, and great was herr Terror. but she dar-
Ell not remain moment ut the window, 50
rcIosed it Instantly; although her husband
might be, she thoughtSp deadly peril; but
the calls upon her name grew louder and
more impatient, SO she tottered to the door
and threw it open, giving entrance to her
cousin, Mistress Augusta Camelford.
This last lady was widow, OF not more
than twenty five years Of age; tall and slen'
der when young girl, she was now, thanks,
no doubt, to her vicious mind, and restless,
euvious, and tretful disposition, fast becom'
ing gaunt and meagre.
When girl, all had pronounced her
handsome, and so, perhaps, she had been, as
far AS mere showiness was concerned; the
naturally bold expression Of her cold, grey
eye she softened, then, as much as possible,
and it became, to an inexperienced or su-
perticial observer, quite captivating, fea-
turn. NOW the malionitY within her heart