The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-07-29
BUELAH's. LOVERS.
BY MARY REED cROwE1.L.

Z
Beulah had managed to arrange for an
hours relief from her arduous duties,
and in her own room, with locked door,
was walking to and fro, restlessly up and
down, now with quick, nervous steps,
now slowly, thoughtfully, but always
with that same restlessness and utter un-
peacetulness that was a new experience
to her. ss. .e - Il =
The great house was very quiet, for
Mrs. SartOris had gone to her room for
her usual after-lunch siesta. The chill
dren Fay and Mignon, and Jack, were
of, in the sweet June weather in charge
of the nursery maid, attached to their it,
tie highnesses. Fay and Mignon, aged
and 5 respectively. -. 49,,
And Mr.. Alsager was-Beulah did not
know where. as pacing the velvet carpet
Of the elegant rooms, that Mrs. Sartoris
did not think any to good for her chill.
Idren's resident governess, Beulah s cheeks
famed or paled as she thought of him.
he was the "Uncle Berthe whom the
children alternately adored and torment
ed. He was the handsome bachelor broth
er of pretty Mrs. Sartoris, come to precide
over West Lawn since Mr.. Sartoris's
death, three years before. A rich, mas
terful, elegant man, who had fallen des-
derately in love with the governess,
and.!lad been accepted by her twenty
four hours before. @ -
( Beulah had locked her door daring. for
the first time in twentv-four hours-yes,
for the first time since sBertle Alsagerr
had first shown his ardent admiration,
three months before--to look matters
straight in the face. a
And she saw two .undeniable facts in
that onshrinking gaze. One, that new
er again in all her life would such won
derful good fortune come to her as this
that Alsager had laid with pleadings and
kisses, at her feet twenty-fours before
TO be SO rich, so influential socially, to
lead such luxurious life, not one girl
one poor, obscure girl-in ten thousand
would ever have had such chance. Be.
sides, he was handsome and young, and
she liked him remarkably well.
But then that other fact-that when
Vernon had sailed, one year before, lie
had taken her solemn promise to be fond
OF HIM, when he returned, loyal and true
ready to be claimed by HIM.
When he returned-June "a; and to.
! day it was June 90. q slraliEo1
J. What was she to do? 5LsS'.a
/. She could not take counsel Of her owr
heart, because already, its true, homes
!, love had been set up in defiance agains
! ease and riches.
II she had been true to her OWE heart
true to her womanhood, BERTHE Alsager'
{ declaration would never have left his lips
; but it was enough that she had no
! been true to them, and now she was in {
! place where there was to be q terrible
tight between ambition and affection.
Tomorrow, Vernon would be there, a
t West Lawn. He was not man to tax
: her detection easily or quietly, nor til
e sort OF lover who could, or preferred te
1 conceal his happiness from all eyes.
Q A.sager would learn in half an hou
4 how she had played fast and loose wit
!. them both; Vernon would understan
+ ertTeachery to him: and which of the1
< would forgive herr Rather, whose ange,
whose ill-wishes, would she prefer to er
d duref 81
al So this pretty, ambitious Beulah wall
2 ed up and down, up and down, her brai
: whirllng between the two forces strivin
: for conquest.
e One word from her to either of thel
q would settle it all. One word to Alsage
telling him she had been mistaken in hi
q own feelings giving up her pleasa1
It position as govern ess; with its congeni,
n duties, its salary OF $500 q year goin
Ie away out of the luxury she enjoyed wit
1t levery fiber Of her beng. OF course, 81