Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-07-11
n ew SerieS-VOl. 18-No 25

no one knew whittier, had had the ef.
feet OF increasing the number anC
sympathy Of his friends. 1t was gen
orally admitted that mis- defense hsC
been weak-incomprehensibly weak
But who knew? he might have had hi:
own invincible reasons for not making
1t stronger. Why had the brother o
his affianced (fOr she was his affianced
in all but the open declaration of the
facD broken with him so suddenly:
Until Blanchard appeared ON the scene
they were inseparable. Depend upon
it, the West Indian was at the bottom
of il. In this fashion the gossips o
Singlebridge discussed the events ol
Harald Whites downfall and depar.
ture.
Three months had elapsed, and not q
word had been heard of or from Har'
aid White; unless the female goSSipS
suggested he had written to Miss West.
brook, which, considering the circum-
stances preceding the departure, he
was hardly likely to have done. For
once, however, they were out In their
calculations. He had written her q
letter in which these words occurred:
II l thought, darling, that you would
be happier to be rid of me for good and
all, our bond should be dissolved. 1t
is your love for me and simple faith in
me that sweetens my life, and keeps
me steadfast in my determination to
undo the miserable wrong from which
1 suffer. They shall right me yet.
"I haye borrowed for the present an
other name-my mothers before her
marriage; but the people with whom L
am know that am Harald White, and
are acquainted with my history. /
must try, dear, to rub on without the
consolation which your letters would
| bestOW. 1t is better that we should
seem to have parted forever. In the
good time we shall meet-and thenp
1t puzzled well-infOrmed Singlebridge
| to hear Fanny WestbroOk's cheerful
words, to note her placid brow and
! bright manner. She never could have
| thought much of thaG Harold White,
you know, or she would have mani
tested some regret at his misfOrtune5.
Blanchard, too, WAS mysttied by her.
What did it pOrtend? Had she resign
ed all hopes of becoming restored to the
lover whom he had so effe ctually help
ed to disgrace and Danish? He would
see. His inpetuous love for the sun
n.y. haired, SaXon-eyed girl, a love
which sprang into existence the mo
ment they met, had grown mig ghtily
since the going of White. He would
put an end to this uncertainty. He
could face his fate.
AN interview with me" replied
Fanny, to his blandly prOffered request;
certainly, Mr.. Blanchard Her tone
was provokingly even. And II you
please, let it take place now. Pray be
seated
II she had only been embarrassed.
Miss WestbrOOk, I-I-fear that the
impression which l made upon you
the day of that unfortunate rencOntre
by the riverside Was not favorable.
Pray, proceed, sir she remarked in
icy tones.
well, then-allow me-yOu cannot
surely have remained firm in the resO-
luton you then exprrs5ed-to cleave
to-
MIR. Blanchard, / will assist you.
You apparently wish to say that have
ceased to love Harold White. Is that
sop
Miss ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
me; l do. He Is all unworthy of you.
Out IL .JOu Oiu Oul bbS NOPAh VI
my love for you
Stop, Mr.. Blanchard said she, ri
sing from her chair, and moving slow
stand each other, Whether or not Har
aid White holds the place in my heart
which he once did concerns me, and
me only. The honor you have done
me, Mr.. Blanchard-call 1t by what
70, MI =
Mr.. Blanchard, / know you.'
Stop, Miss Westbrookp he exclaim-
ed, making one step forward, and bar
ring the way to the door, and heark-
en- to me. You have thrown the gage.
Very well, l accept it. 1t was l who
drove Harold White from Singlebridge.
All, you can be impressed, see. 1t is
| who can compel your consent to my
demands. Now, Miss Westbrook,
E1lOlO me-"
Her face was very white as she swept
proudly past the West Indian; but
not the whiteness OF fear. They meas
ured swords with their eyes-how clear
and searching hers were!-and parted.
Next day Fanny WestbrOok was
missing from Singlebridge.s
For twelve months Silas Westbrook
has been -daughterless. Fanny was
sought for far and near, but without
avail. Augustus had, to quote the
kilOmatic expression of that cOngenial
companion already referred to, gone
clear to the bad Of all his former |
chums, Blanchard was the sole posses
sor of a knowledge of the young scape- |
grace's whereabouts. As for the West |
Indian, he seemed to have entirely re- |
linquished all mention of returning to |
Jamaica. However, we must for the |
present leave Singlebridge, and make
our way to the Theater Royal, East |
Hampton. The house is crowded by |
the admirers of the leading lady, whose
benefit night it is.
Old Fussyton, the stage doorkeeper,
is at this moment In state of mind |
bordering on despair. He dare not for |
the life of him leave his post, and he !
has just learned that stranger has
succeeded in reaching the stage under
the convoy of an sudaciOus super. Ii
that should come the knowledge OF Mr.. |
Somerset Beauchamp, he manager, he
(Fussyton will to a certainty be dis
missed on the spot.
Take note to Miss Harebell, sir? |
Could not do it. 1t is against orders,
SIR
The speaker is the call-boy. His
tempter is Mr.. Blanchard.
very well, sir, I'll risk 1t. IT you
are au old friend, l suppose 1t will be
all right
Induced to commit breach Of disci-
pline by the bestowal ofa rather po-
tent bribe, the call-boy disappears be-
hind a pile of scenery, and is presently
heard in alteration with Miss Hare
BELLS dresser. What do you want?
Miss Harebell Is not "a beginner She
is not on until the second scene.'
Il know that, Mrs. Cummins. l
want to speak to you. Open the door,
Blanchard heard no more. A whis-
pered conversation between the lead
iady's dresser and the call boy was i'm
mediately succeeded by the reappear-