Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-10-10

This was just what his mother tho't,
and this is just why she had brought
herself to reason with her obstinate
son on that sweet, summer day.
The time will come, perhaps, when
you will bless me for my interference,
that now you consider unwise and
cruel"
"What objection have you to Rossie
to Miss Lyn6e-mother, as my
wifeY asked her son.
what objection? How can you ask
Do you-does any one know anything
about her or her aRtecedents? 1t is
true that she was brought to the village
by an apparently very venerable and
respectable person. Her certificates of
character and ability seemed to be ev-
erything irreproachable. l admit, but
pot one of us-not one member of the
Board of Education had ever before
heard the names of the honorable and
reverend gentlemen whose names we're
annexed to those certificates. They
may be forgeries, and she an adventu-
ress; and indeed, that is the general
opinion since you -"
''Since l have openly expressed my
respect for her, and publicly announced
my intention of making her my wife, y
interrupted Mr.. Leo Severne.
HAS it come to that, my son?"
Her son was deeply moved by her
hurt and reproachful voice.
"Motherp' he said in kind remon-
STRANGE, II love Rossie Lynde so well
that unless she becomes my wife, /
shall never marry"
"And you have repeatedly said, my
boy, that you would never wed a wom-
an whom you could not love better than
the mother who idolizes you. o, Leo
If you disobey NE it will be my death p'
she cried, in anguish. ''If you must
marry, why not turn your heart toward
our dear Leonie. Indeed, my boy,
have long had my mind fixed on your
union with her."
Leo Severne gazed at his parent in
amazement for long moment.
"My mother, you must be out ofyour
senses quite" he gasped. ''Do you
know her recordY'
A faint flush wavered over the with
cred cheeks.
'Do you know anything more than
mere rumorY' she inquired, husklly.
"Such a rumor is quite enough, ]
think" he answered. "TwO cousins,
possible heirs to the will of capriciOus
uncle, loved her; she schemed to marry
the richest. Believing that the uncle's
choice was made, she made every prep
aration for her nuptials with the puta-
tive favorite. On the eve of her wed
ding she learned her mistake and
elOped with and married the true heir.
The deserted bridegroom went mad, and
killed himself. When the deceived hus-
band learned the truth year after, he
took his baby daughter and left her
forever, assured that her sordid soul
wonld be consoled by the fortune for
which she had married him, and which
he left subject to her control for time.
A few months after, the tidings came
that the husband and child had been
lost at sea. That is how Mrs. CHS
holm became a rich widow"
"You have almost fools faculty of
exaggerating things said to have occur
red years ago, and a thousand miles
from here Indeed, you speak assured
ly," responded the lady, with a bittei :
ness that i'll became the sweet old face.
81 speak knowingly" returned the
agitated gentleman, with quite as much
bitterness; land if not, my assertions
surely could be no more malevolent
than those of these village croakers and
nonentities, who are only invidious to
my Russie because 1 have refused to
take help-mate at their liking-or
among them rather. Oh, mother dear,
do not oppose me in the dearest wish
of my life. We could live so happily
together-you, Rossie and l."
"We will not discuss this matter any
longer to day." said Mrs. Severne, set
ting her firm teeth sternly upon her thin
white lips, as she dismissed him with a
gesture of outraged dignity.
As the door closed behind him she
arose from her luxurious chair, and 90
ing to the window watched him passing
down the walk.
''He is too good son to marry with
out my consent; and that, he will never
have unless he gives up this girl for Le-
onie," she unused, and then she grew
strangely pale 1.-The Severnes have
never yet stopped to sly deeds even to
gain worthy end, but alas! 1 fear it is
left to me to he diplomatist. My son,
1 shall become an intriguer for your
sake"
/ What she meant was In that moment
only chaotic idea, but it found shape
and form the next day in a laconic let
ter sent to Rossie Lynde, without a
signature.
Rossie was sitting at her desk when
it came, and her weary, dark eyes grew
troubled as she broke the seal, for there
was something ominous Ito her sensi-
tive perceptions in the very perfume of
the envelope that bore her name in
quaint, heavy, and nervous strokes.
She read swiftly, taking in every
word with clear intensity that was
the pain of pains.
"His infatuation of many girl like
you has lasted but for a day. With
him "what's won is DONE The only.
lady he will make his wife, is Leonie
Chisholm, to whom he is betrothed.-
Go to her and ask her, if you will not
believe one who, though friendly to
you, must remain unknown. His moth
er despises you as you must know al
ready from the manner with which she
has persistently ignored your presence
in the place. Take warning and leave
the village if you would not be undone.
OF course you know what they are
saying about you here in consequence
of his secret and doubtful attentions"
Many things-little Sights and hints