The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1877-08-03

could not but he reminded OF the SUI
try day Of the August before when
had visited the secluded dell wher'
the hermit's cottage stood. The shock
ing events Of the night that FOLLOWED
stood out boldly, and my thought
dwelt upon the unhappy man who ha'
given me the only proof Of confidence
humanity could longer claim at hi
hands.
It was about twilight when Dewitt
Beverly returned, pale and haggard
his blue eyes looking wild as thougl
a nightmare had dilatcd them will
terror. His hair was tossed from rap
id riding, and altogether he was tn,
subject of universal exclamation. III
gave no other explanation than tina
he was suddenly i'll, and went imme
diately to his room.
As we passed out from supper Jo'
seph Mant handed me small scraT
of paper on which was written in fee
bic, scrawling letters, Beware Send
for your guardian and leave the hell
that threatens to engulf youl But for
get not your promise to me.
DELoRNE."
At these portentous words / trem'
bled 90 excessively that could scarce
ly make my way to the door. The
air was intensely close. Almost un.
consciously I walked on as far as the
pagoda where I threw myself upon
the seat overcome by nervous agita-
ton which the heat only rendered the
more uncomfortable. The clear bright
crescent Of a new moon was just
peeping over the forest trees and the
scene was calm and silent, save for the
voices Of the twitte-ing night birds
and the occasional croaking Of the
reptiles in a neighboring stream. Amid
all the lonely hours l had spent at
Mountain Hall, lonely in the lack Of
true companionship, none had seemed
so utterly desolate as this. Was eve.
~ tie I could form ON earth to be
snapped asunder, and my frail bark to
be forever drifting, drifting?
knew not how long l had been
thus when voices sounded from the
thick hedge of the Cherokee rose and
came gradually toward my hiding
place. knew should not be missed
from the parlors for frequently left
them for the quiet of my own apart
ment.
"Well, then, swear that you do not
love her, or we part forever'-were
the first words that broke upon my
ears.
"Have | not sworn it again and
again. my peerless bride, my darling,
my own'' was the passionate reply in
Dewitt Beverly's tones, and they bore
the ring of genuine feeling. Hastily
starting up would have fed, but the
two figures paused just beside the door
and modification held me spell-bound,
Then why are you forever dang
ling at her side? tell you hat,
her! / have hated her from the day
she came among US with her saint-likt
pretensions and Wanted beauty"
"Do not be angry, my proud, petu
liant darling" said the man again, as
he wound his arms about her. "You
know that cannot desert her sudden
ly after all that passed when we were
mere children. But | swear that
would not exchange one ripple of this
precious head for twenty Helens. Sh'
does not love me; indeed, you hav,
nothing to fear. From the hour
first saw my glorious Guy the worlc
contained but one woman foi me-"
81 was a fool to let you come here,
she broke in roughly. II knew sh'
loved you; but trusted to my power
And now she shall not rob me.
would kill her first"
The spell Of her beauty blinded hin
to the horrible wickedness of he
words, and he continued in low sooth
ing tones to cares her into softer
mood.
II kept you apart" she laughed
scornfully. Why should | hide it?
have ever accomplished my purpose
by fair means or foul. | scorn to hid
any thing. From the hour | knew
your mission vowed to supplant her
and she shall not thwart me-"
Her voice fang out with passion
and pain. Her whole soul was in he
words.
"Be careful, my darling, or yo'
may be overheard. love you wildly
distractedly-by my soul do. w
will soon be one in heart, mind AM
purpose. BE your own brilliant, hap
py self and put by forebodings. Ho,
can help loving one who has done 81
much to prove that she loves me?'
"Do not boast Of it," she cried, il
sudden anger. 81 have never bee
fettered before. But if | peril M
soul forever ! will win you from tina
girl. Take the gift us the boon il