The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-08-07
BEATRICE.

moi Inc WOrQ CAME lIOn buC bCAAOoS VI
Hale hall 10 her lover Ronald Redster. She
was very pretty, with blonde hair that even
a princess might bave envied, and eyes
which shone like crystals; but now they
were dovncast as she uttered this one word
which seemed so cruel to Ronald Rsdster.
"But love you with all my heart, Beat
ice and -'
He did not finish the sentence, for Beat
rice stopped him by wave OF her hand.
Il dare not, and l will not, marry you; 1T
was nav mother last wish that should marry
Sir LYON Seclar" And here Beatrice stop
ped and trembled, as if from fear.
"Then have no hope, Beatrice?' he ask
ed with slight tremor in his voice.
mo hope at all, Ronald, though you know
I would marry YOU but for my poor mothers
words"
Good by. Beatrice" he said.
She sadly held out her hand.
Good by, Ronald"
Beatrice giided softly from the arbor to-
ward the house where she had spent so many
happy hours. Ronald watched her until
she was out of sight and with a heavy heart
walked slowly hOme-to his mother.
Mrs Redster was seated in her sitting
room embroidering pair of slippers
why, how late you are, Ronaldp she
said. as her son entered, looking around at
him as be stood with one arm resting on the
msntel piece.
Yes mother"
His tone was so sad that Mrs. Redster in
voluntarily asked:
what troubles you, my boy?'
"Only the old story, mother; you know
/ love Beatrice Hale. Well, this evening l
asked her to be my wife, and she absolutely
refused me, though she acknowledged that
were il not for a promise she made her
mother to we'd Sir Lyon Seclar she would
consent TO be>mIne.
L ~ har
releuting."
None"
DO not despair-hope on. But bark! did
you not hear a cryg'
Yes: it sounded as if some one was call
ing for aid, replied Ronald
He went hastily to the window and looked
out.
Its the hall on fire. he wildly cried and
then rushed out of the house and across the
wide, open country TO the hall.
Arriving at the scene of disaster, R0nalds
first thought was Of Beatrice. He looked -Ip
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 nall, up its wide stairs to the door of her
apartment 1t was locked. and the fire was
raging around him. He called her name
twice, but heard no response. With desper
ate energy he threw himself against the door
end burst 1t open.
The smoke and fire met him with a great
gust, but, heedless OF this, be rushed in, fall
ing over the almost hfeless body of Beatrice.
Catching some blankets from the bed, he
wrapped her in them, for her clothing was
beginning TO burn, rushed wildly out of the
room into the hall, and down the stairs to
the crowd assembled in the garden, where
be fell fainting to the ground.
After the fire Beatrice was carried TO the
home of Mrs Redster, where every means
- +
who soon recovered from his slight scorch-
ing, next morning returned to the hall.
Matters were not so bad as he thought the
" ng Sas 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 puzzling
his brains to Try and think what was the
cause of the fire, when he was startled By
voices not e very great distance from him.
Zone thing-hark!' said volce-that of a
female
Go, you little simpletonl No one can
hear Us" very gruff voice rejoined.
Just then Ronald beard some one coming
up the graveled walk, and he recognized
Beatrice. she looked very pretty with red
roses on her cheeks, brought there by the
brisk walk she had Just taken. She was
about IN speak when Ronald checked her
with q wave of his hand; she understood
the sign at once and listened.
He has done you no harm" the unknown
woman said.
"But | will have my revenge on Redster.
What right had he to save Beatrice? We
must say he did it, and Mr. Hale will not
allow his daughter to associate with an in
cendaryr'
Just as sure as you try to bring in that
young Ronald l will let out the secret" an
sxered the woman with vehemence."
1nnE harc. / will Give
twenty pounds if you will help me in this
business" said the man.
Money DOWN.
Yes"
"Ab. you know l can't refuse that offer,
replied the woman, ''fOr | have not eaten Q
mouthful of bread since yesterday"
VIII you keep the secret-sure?" asked
the man.
Yes" replied the woman Indifferently,
as if yes were the same as no.
''All right. come then.
The voice ceased: evidently the speakers
were moving away. After few minutes oil
silence Beatrice looked up at Ronald, say
ing:
1What do you think of that@
Il think those people are plotting some
thing against me. Beatrice, do you moi
think there is a mystery about that fire?"
eyes Ronald, do l feel sure the hall
was fired purposely.
i fancy" said Ronald, thOughtfully
''that the people intended to throw suspicion
on me"
.'Oh, Ronald How can they do that?'
II don't kDow-wicked people can do any
thing Bot who is that coming up thu
road?"
It's little John Halifax" said Beatrice
"snd he Oeckons to us. What is the matter
johnny
"Oh. Mr.. Ronaldr cried the child, you
mother was taken III after you left the house
and wants you and Miss Beatrice"
We must hasten, then" said Ronald
with a startled look upon bis face; and thel
wendell their way toward home.
After the two pIotters had left the vlcinit.
of Ronald they moved on rapidly but silent
ly till they came to a ruin which had the ap
pearance Of a fallen castle They went int
the dilapidated pile and descended a High
of stairs apparently leading to the cellar.