Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-12-07

aware OF II bno IOuno nefseH Wllnln
his arms.
MY darlingl" he said, fondly, sis it
not hard that cannot bid you rejoice
with me, because / know what you
must feel on your poor sisters ac-
count?"
"You know what has happened then?"
interrogated Bertha, in surprise, gently
disengaging herself.
'KnowgH repeated st. Lawrence,
puzzled in his turn.
You know, mean, that the man
who called himself Mr.. FancouTt has
proved an impostOr or worseY Sir
Stephen Langley has been here to tell
mamma" Bertha said.
''Is that all, Bertha? Did Sir Steph-
en- say no more!" st. Lawrence asked,
smiling down upon her troubled face.
"More?" Bertha said, again taking
alarm. lis there more to hear?"
Look up, dearest-l0ok at mel" st.
Lawrence cried, drawing her toward
him again. do look as if the more
were anything very terrifying or dread
ful?"
Bertha raised her eyes to her lovers
face. The color mantled on her cheeks.
SIS it something you have heard
about yourselfI" she said, eagerly
The mystery you told me of is at an
end?n
"Yes, dear, at an end for ever" st.
Lawrence replied. Did Sir Stephen
not tell Mrs. Dalton that Lord Alph-
ington had discovered the heir whose
place that impostor had usurped?"
II don't know. Mamma did not say"
Bertha answered. II think she could
not quite lave understood"
And yet it is not difficult to under
stand" said st. Lawrence. "Eustace
Sedley is my cousin. He took advant-
age OF having the same Christian name,
OF being of the same age, and of know
ing all my antecedentS to usurp my
place. He employed that old friend Of
yours in the omnibus to rob me of the
proofs was bringing over to England
in order to claim my rights. And now
it is Eustace Fancourt who claims the
promise made to Eustace st. Lawrence
-he comes to renew the pledge given
by the poor landscape-painter."
Bertha's eyes. fixed upon the face of
her betrothed, dilated as he spoke; she
turned pale. lie led her to chair, and,
kneeling before her, clasped her hands
in his. - q. ="
Bertha, dearest" he said, "what is
it? What do you fear?" But for all
answer she leaned her head on his
shoulder, and burst into tears.
st. Lawrence soothed and cheered
her with many loving words, telling her
how Lord Alphington was prepared to
welcome her. And then he drew pic
ture of the comfort they would be to
his old age, they two together, till Ber-
tina looked up and smiled through her
tears. AS one remembrance after an
other came over her, her cheeks became
suffused with bushes, and she again
hid her face on her lovers shoulder.
And told you Of that prophecy
about the ring!" she said. "But I did
not know"
mo, you didn't know, but did," re-
Joined Eustace, smiling. II didn't
think then it would come true, though,
for I believed it was Douglass life you
would bless, not mine"
They were too much absorbed in each
other to hear footsteps, and before
Bertha had time to reply the door
opened and Mrs. Dalton entered. See
ing st. Lawrence sitting by Bertha's
side, with her hands in his, she uttered
an exclamation. of surprise and conster-
nation. She did not know that any one
was there, and had come into the room
to see if any preparations for the morn
ing had been made that ought to be
cleared away.
st. Lawrence rose from his seat and
went toward her as she stood in the
doorway, the picture of stupefied aston
ishment.
MAY I hope that the interdict is
taken off, Mrs. Daltonp" he asked
"Will you shake hands with me now,
and give me favorable hearing to the
petition have to maker"
"Oh, MIR. st. Lawrence-Mr. Fan
court, I meant am so gladP' respond
ed the poor lady, recovering her speech.
Il always liked you, and l never liked
Mr.. Fancourt-Mr. Sedley, that is,
mean. It will be great relief to Lena,
l am sure, poor dear. / suppose you
were telling Bertha?"
Yes, found she was not aware that
it was my place Sedley had usurped,"
Eustace replied. ''Do understand you
that Miss Dalton feels the breaking off
of this marriage relief2 | am most
happy to hear that she views it in that
Ight.n
Il dare say you are, Mr.. Fancourt,"
said Mrs. Dalton, taking the chair from
which Bertha had risen. II am afraid
you will have to excuse Lena this even
ing; she has naturally been good deal
upset, and I think she is lying down."
Eustace begged Miss Dalton might
not be disturbed on his account-he was
a good deal puzzled as to why he should
10 ta oh RI hnr ri ha
took the opportunity Of making her es-
cape, leaving her mother and lover to-
gether.
Mrs. Dalton was little taken aback
by the coolness of st. Lawrence's tone;
she had expected that he would be in
ecstacies on finding Lena free. Shebe-
gan to smooth down her dress, as was
her habit when she did not very well
know what to say.
II should not have left the house this
evening without asking to see you," st.
Lawrence began, as he stood before
her. las said, | have petition to
make"
''Now it is coming" thought Mrs.
Dalton, and she folded her hands, and
cleared her throat, and prepared to lis
ten with becoming dignity.
II have long loved your daughter,
Mrs. Dalton Y he went on, forgetting at
the moment that there was any one else
in the world but Bertha, sand I am
proud to say that l have received the
assurance of her love in return. There
awaits only your word to make me the
happiest Of men. Lord Alphington is
aware of my intention in coming here
this evening; it is with his full appro-
baton speak, =, - EaF
II am sure what you say makes me
very happy, Mr.. st. Lawrence-Mr.
Fancourt, t mean" Mrs. Dalton re-