The Morning herald., 1877-10-24

4
Of Sir Jonas Rathborne. and iwaa Shattint
pleasantly with Mistress Camelfotd, whs
was feeding him with assurances that ths
heart Of Rosalie. was perfec siy his own, ane
that very joyfully would she soon 20 Will
him to the altar; when Rosalie, with acseal
ed letter in her hand, entered the apart.
ment, and for one at least Iof these two
very agreeably interrupted their c9nversa.
ton. 9dl3a.
Rosahe had not expected to find HARTLEY
there, had not known of his arrival which
was much earlier than had been his custom,
and SO, started, trembled, and was in great
confusion. 5sdto
"Ah the letter" Mistress Camelf6rd
exclaimed; and then, softly to Rosalie, and
as If wishing to spare her the painful en-
barrassment which she would feel, In her.
self presenting the letter, said, 'sPermit
mew and lightly, but quickly, DIRE W. from
Rosalie's hand, that most important bpistle.
Our heroine had not thought of sach an
occurrence, and so, was, Of course, surprised,
and unprepared to resist and prevent It.
The next moment Rosaie was glad tAat,her
cousin had SO relieved her, for Augusta
walked directly over to Hartley, and gave
the letter to him-that, Rosalie saw and
heard Mistress Camelford say: naar5C
Il pray you Mr.. Hartley to read that let
ter in the privacy Of your own ibrarJ-and
not till then! !" ss
Hartley bowed, and placed the epistle
safely away in his pecket-book. aeq 8
And now, feeling well satisfied that Clar.
ence Hartley would presently know all the
truth, that she had rendered further and
vile trickery impossible to her cousin, Rose
sale hurried from the presence of d man
to whom she had written that which would
but too terribly enlighten him. .r
When Rosalie had quilted the apartment,
Hartley cared not Logger to remain there
He was anxious to be again at home, that
ne might read letter which, though given
to him by the hand of Mistress Camelford,
had in reality, as he had good reason to
believe, been written to him by Rosalie
herself. .E
Tremblngly, on the next day, did Rosa.
lie await the coming of Clarence Hartley,
indeed she had great doubt that he would
come at all, but he did arrive and in good
time, his face beaming with delight; ten
derly pressed Rosalie's hand, and with no
allusion then or after to the letter which
had been written 10 him, entreated that
Rosalie would name the day when she
would graciously condescend to become the
wife Of man who would count his very life .
as nothing if its sacrifice might procure but
one hour Of additional happiness to the
woman whom he devoted1y loved.
Rosais was entirely overcome by her
suitor's generosity, and yielded herself to
ats she had very sincerely, and very earn,
st1y staven to avoid; and Mistress Camel
'ord very gladly undertook to arrange the
9relianinariss Of a marriage which she had
home her utmost to promote.
In great glee was now Mistress Camel
lord.
II told you how it would be!" she said,
to Rosalie. "And how noble he
s-not one word Of the deception which
had been practised on him, and concerning
which, should he continue silent, you, cous-
n, must forbear from all allusion; 80 will |
he happiness Of both Of you be best Sc
,ured."
"My boy-my little Arthur You will |
low give him back to me, will you not, Au-
,ustap" pleaded Rosalie. !
"Oh, fear not !" smiled Augusta. II have
written for his return; but so far away is
be, and SO near your second wedding day,
hat you will be for the second time wife
before, by possibility, he can be restored to
Tour longing arms"
Those words smote heavily to the poor
nother's craving heart. .r |
In little more than fortnight after its
the marriage between Rosaie
nd Clarence had taken place.
Rosalie had asked for no delay; she had
esigned herself to that which had become
Inevitable.
Poor Rosaie! her thoughts were of her
rst husband, even while pronouncing those
onstrained vows which bound her to Sec
nd.
Sir Jonas Rathborne had not sought to
cen proceeding around him; had, indeed,
rown to be perfect cypher in his own
,ansion, and was, in fact, in mind and body
mixing fast.
Mistress Camelford's fear was lest the
aronet should by some stray remarks of s
hose consequence he would not be aware, y
lar the completion of that which she at +
Ist had brought to the very verge Of sue 9
ess.
Therefore Mistress Camelford persuaded s
er uncle, and very easily, that his health 3
ould not permit him to be present at his y
aYghter's nuptials. n
Clarence Hartley's mansion and that of
II Jonas Rathborne were but very few
lies apart, and to This near home of her
was RosaGe, by Hartley, most
yfully conducted-a wedding tour had not
,come the fashion in the days Of which We d.
3 now writing; and two days after Ros l. $.
,'s marriage and departure from her fath- s,
g house, the baronet's will had been sign fr
|, sealed, and properly attested, and there ce