Morris tribune., 1880-07-29

lines spoken of-Vernon, / think. was
MS name9n
He knew. then, that which had terri
fed her so, even in imagination. to men,
ton. How did he know9-and Beulah |
looked wonderingly at him, her thoughts !
in her face.
81 understand perfectly how you feel"
he said, still holding his arms around
her waist. and looking straight in her
eyes. "You fear you may, perhaps, care
less for me than you think-more tor
him than you think--and you want to be
honest and womanly about it, just as /
would have you."
"He is coming tomorrow she whis-
pered, almost affrightedly.
"That will be sharp disappointment
to him." he SAID pityingly. "Beulah,
how sorry feel for him! How sorry /
feel Tor every other man who has not
won your Lowell wonder if it is posi-.
BILE for me to be jealous of Vernon? Beu-
lab, may see him for you when he
comes9 May tell him just how it is
with you and mc2'
What other answer could she have
made that what she did make, when
with his arm around her waist, his eyes
Handsome, ardent eyes looking their
passion into hers?"
eyes, tell him what you please" she
said quickly, almost deiantly, after that
little, low-breathed hesitant yes. "And
7 ,,o,,ok mn 1nuof n0D
Four o'clock of the to morrow day
all enveloped with damp chill and gray
mlst-a world from which sunshine now
seemed forever banished-and Beulah
wondered if it were still in the June
weather, that yesterday was so sensuous
and elixir-like in its fragrant breezes, its
luxury of sunshine, its Singing of glad
birds. a ~
An east wind had crept up during the
night, and the day was spoiled-just as a
life was spoiled before another night
should come.
Beulah stood shivering on the piazza,
waiting until the children came for their
drive, which Mrs. Sartoris never allowed
to pass, whatever the condition Of the
weather.
And Alsager came out to assist them
in-the youngster and Beulah especially
for the purpose of giving her a pressure
OF the hand, that meant, as plainly as
words could have spoken, that when she
came back Vernon would have been and
gone, and nothing woull henceforth
trouble OF grieve her.
That drive was absolute misery to Beu-
luh, She shivered. even in the close
coach, with her shawl wrapped around
her, until it seemed to her that she new
er would feel warm and comfortable
again.
Had Pierce come? Had he heard all
about it9 Had he got the death blow to
his hope and happiness yet9 Was he glad
or sorry3
And so she questioned herself, while the
children laughed and chatted, and the
drive was prolonged BY Master Jacks
positive orders, and every time the turn
of the carriage wheels was like the wheel
of fate for her.
Then, just in sight of West LAVE gates
again she saw BERTHE Alsager stand
ing on the cliff, the furious east vino
blowing the salt spray almost in his face
as glass in hand, he stood watching what
appalled, her to sea flimsy little boat
in which one man, all alone, was trying
to make the shore-a mere feather in thai
raging sea.
She ordered the carriage stopped, with
a sudden cold stilling Of her heart.
"Give me the glassp' she said, as Al
sager opened the door.
Aud then she saw the face of the mar
in the boat.
"Save him !-save him! Don't let hin
perish before my eyes? Mr.. Alsage1
for Gods sake, save him! He was Gem
ing to me-he must not diei"
And in the shrek OF horror and yearn
ing, the look in her face, IN her eyes. Der
tie Alsager knew it was Pierce Vernon
she loved better than he.
| A look, heart breaking to see, came in
to his face in that little second he looke'
at her 80 frantic, so despa1ring, SO pas
slonate.
"Go, gop' she said, frankly. "Don'
you see he is perishing before your eyes
Pierce! Pierce!" and she shouted out hi
name wildly, "keep up your courage
help is comingn'
It never reached him, that agonize,
CRY, but it sealed the doom of despair i
Alsagers heart.
"Be calm, Beulah," he said quietly.
can save him, will do it for you. Good
by, dearr'
He went hurrying down the cliff, los
to sight by the binding spray, tina
Beulah did not feel now, as she stoot
! there, in speechlessness. She saw hir
l spring into the little boat, rocking in til
1 surf; she saw him push off, as if into tn
, very jaws of death and then she san
back among the carriage cushions, a
most screaming, not daring to think, NJ
daring to pray.
4 Only an hour later-that to Beula
z seemed most an eternity-and then Mr.
Sartoris came to her colder, statelier tina
q ever.
:, "My brother has revived and the dal
r ger is past, and he desires me to COVE
t to you this message-that you will Col
j slider the past forty hours as though the
had not been. so tar as he is considere
b while you will allow me to suggest th'
g l can fill your position as governess quit
t readily, so will not trouble you
remain. And this-I am requested
: hand you from our guest, who, althoug
n weak and Frustrated, am assured /
b the physician in charge, will be recove
+ cred in few days.
And after Mrs. Sartoris had take
herself away. Beulah read Pierce Vernon
r letter, that renounced her, as unwortf
q of any honest mans love.
e So the dreams all faded. Beulah wei
: her lonely way into drudgerY and we
riness.