The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-07-20
BEATRICE.

helreSS OF Hale Hall to her lover, ROn-
aid Redster. She was very pretty, with
blonde hair that even IA Princess might
have envied, and eyes which shone like
crystals; but now they were downcast
as she uttered this one word, which
seemed so cruel to Ronald Redster.
But love you with all my heart,
Beatrice. and =
He did not finish the sentence, for
Beatrice stopped him by a wave of her
hand.
Il dare not, and | will not marry
you; it was my mothers last wish that |
should marry Sir Lyon Seclar." And
here Beatrice stopped and trembled, as
if from fear.
Then | have no hope, Beatrice?'
he asked, with a slight tremor in his
voice.
"No hope at all, Ronald; though you
know l would marry you, but for my
poor mothers words.'
"Good-by, Beatrice" he said.
She sadly held out her hand.
" Good-by, Ronald"
Beatrice glided softly from the arbor
toward the house where she had spent
SO many happy hours. Ronald watched
her until she was out of sight, and with
heavy heart walked slowly home-to
his mother.
Mrs. RedSter was seated in her sit
ting-room, embroidering pair of Slip
perS.
why, how late you are, Ronald?"
she said, as her son entered, looking
around at him as he stood with one arm
rpStiDU on the Inontpl -nippn
Yes, mother"
His tone was so sad that Mrs. Red
ster involuntarily asked:
''What troubles you, my boy?"
"Only the old story, mother; you
know love Beatrice Hale. Well, this
evening | asked her to be my wife and
she absolutely refused me, though she
acknowledged that were it not for Il
promise she made her mother to Wed
Sir Lyon Seclar she would consent to
be mine"
My poor son! Is there no hope of
her relenting?"
None"
'Do not despair-hope on. But
bark! did you not hear a cry?"
"Yes; it sounded as if some one was
calling for aid, replied Ronald.
He went hastily to the window and
looked out.
Its the hall on frer' he. wildly
cried, and then rushed out of the house
and across the wide, open country to
the hall.
Arrived at the scene of disaster, Ro-
maids first thought was Of Beatrice.
He looked up to her window, and saw
her dart across the room and throw up
her hands. Hardly conscious of what
he did, he rushed through the hall, up
its wide stairs to the door of her apart
ment 1t was locked, and the fire was
raging around him. He called her
name twice, but heard no response.
With desperate energy he threw HIM
self against the door and burst it open.
The smoke and fire met him with
a great gust, but, needless of this,
he rushed in, falling over the almost
lifeless body of Beatrice. Catching
some blankets from the bed, he wrapped
her in them, for her clothing was be-
ginning to burn, rushed wildly out of
the room, into the hall, and down the
stairs to the crowd assembled in the
garden, where he fell fainting to the
ground.
After the fire, Beatrice was carried
to the home of Mrs. Redster, where
every means was used to make her
comfortable. Ronald, who soon recov-
cred from his slight scorching, next
morning returned to the hall. Matters
were not so bad as he thought; the wing
was completely gone, but the rest of the
hall was not much injured.
Sir Lyon Seclar had not been seen
since the fire broke out.
Ronald was gazing at the ruins, puz-
zling his brains to try and think what
was the cause of the fire, when he
was startled by voices not a very great
distance from him.
Zone thing-hark!" said a voice
that of woman.
$50 on, you little simpleton No
one can hear u.s. was SAID in gruff
voice.
Just then Ronald heard some one
coming up the graveled walk, and he
recognized Beatrice She looked very
pretty, with roses on her cheeks, brought
there by the brisk walk she had Just
taken. She was about to speak, when
Ronald checked her with a wave of
ms hand; she understood the sign and
listened.
He has done you no HARM" the I'M
known woman said.
but will have my revenge on Red
ster. What right had he to save
BeatriceP We must say he did it, and
Mr.. Hale will not allow his daughter
to associate with an incendiary."
"As sure as you try to bring in that
young Ronald will let out the secretr'
answered the woman, with vehemence.
"Now, Jane, look here; will give
you twenty pounds if you will help me
in this business" said the man.
money downP
Eyes"
"Ah! you know can't refuse that
Offer" replied the woman, " for have