The Morning herald., 1877-03-13
CORD AND CREEsE.
CHAPTER XII.
THEY MEET AGAIN.

Potts was seated in the front seat, and
Beatrice on the back one. Brandon walked
IN to the carriage and touched his hat.
"Mr. emithers," cried Potts, with his
us,,al yolubility. "Dear me Sir. This is
reallv most unexpected pleasure, Sir"
While Potts spoke Brandon looked
steadily at Beatrice, who cast upon him
Look Of wonder. She then sank back in
her her, seat; but her eyes were still fastened
m on his as though fascinated. Then, beneath
tha marbls whiteness OF her face faint
t;nge appeared, warm flush, that was the
.icn of hope rising from despair. In her
svea there cleaned the fash Of recognition;
Gr in that glance each had made known all
;ta soul to the other. In her mind there
was no perplexing question as to how or
vhy he came here, or wherefore he wore
that Disguise; the one thought. that she had
vas the consciousness that he was here
here before her.
All this took place in an instant, and
Potts who was talking, did not notice the
hurried glance; or if he did, saw in it moth
;np but casual look cast by one stranger
mon another.
"I arrived here yesterday" said Bran
don. II wished to see yon about matter
Of very little Importance perhaps to you,
Init It is one which is of interest to me.
But l am detaining you. By-the-way, l
am somewhat in hurry, apd if this lady
will excuse me will drive up with you to
the Hall, SO as to lose no time"
"Deliehted, Sir, delighted p cried Potts.
"Allow me, Mr. 6mithers, to introduce you
omy daughter"
Brandon held out his hand. Beatrice
held out hers. 1t was cold as ice, but the
fierce thrill that shot through her frame at
the touch of his feverish hand brought with
il such ecstasy that Beatrice thought it was
worth while to have undergone the horror
Of the past twenty-four hours for the joy Of
this one moment.
Brandon stepped into the carriage and
seated himself by her side. Potts sat OPP
posite. He touched her side. He could
hear her breathing. How many months
had passed since they sat so near together
What sorrows had they not endured Now
they were side by side, and for a moment
they forgot that their bitterest enemy sat
before them.
There, before them, was the man who
was not only a deadly enemy to each, but
who made it impossible for them to be more
to one another than they now were. Yet
for time they forgot this in the joy Of the
ecstaic meeting. At the gate Potts got
out and excused himself to Brandon, say
ing that he would be up directly.
Entertain this gentleman till come,"
aid he to Beatrice, ''lor he is great friend
oimn1e."
Beatrice said nothing, for the simple rea-
son that she could not speak.
They drove on. Oh, joy! that baleful
presence was for a moment removed. The
driver saw nothing as he drove under the
overarchiDg elms- the elms under which
Brandon sported III his boyhood. lie saw
not the long, fervid glance that they cast at
one another, in which each seemed to alb
SCRIBE all the being of the other; he saw
not the close clsped hands with which they
clung 10 one another now as though they
would thus cling to each other forever and
prevent separation. He SAW not the swift,
wild movement of Brandon when for one
Instant he flung his arm around Beatrice
and pressed her to his heart. He heard
not the beating of that strong heart; be
heard not the low sigh OF rapture with
which for but one instant the head Of Bea-
trlce sank upon her lovers breast. II was
but for an instant.
Then she satupright again, and their
hands sought each other, ,thus clinging, thus
speaking by voice which was ineligible
to each, which told how each felt in the
presence OF the other love unutterable, rap
'1re beyond expression.
Aliging from the carriage. Beatrice led
The way into the drawing-room. No one
was there. Brandon went into a recess Of
one Of the windows which commanded
view of tho Park.
What a beautiful view" said he, in
onventional voice.
bhecame up and stood beside him.
oh, darling' Oh, darling |" he cried,
over and over again; and t1ingng his arms
around her he covered her face sswith burn
lNgksses. Her whole being seemed in that
supreme moment to be absorbed in his.
AN consciousness Of any other thing than
Swspeakable Joy was lost to her. Be-
'Se all others she was lofty, high-soaled,
serene, self.possessed-with him she was
nothing she lost herself in him.
g. DO not fear, my SOULS darling" said he;
40 harm shall come. My power is every
'here-even in this house. All in the viii
laSe are mine. When my blow falls you
'hall be saved"
ohe shuddered.