Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1882-09-16


told his tale, though with many hesi-
tating word, and many look of anxiety.
Should give such an one up9 NeverI
Yet the temper of my thoughts was such
that / could not stay indoorsl l left
the houfe and ran down to the shore of
the bay, having first thrown a shawl
over my head. The storm and lark
ness were terrific, and the tide was COM
ing in with hcarse, sullen cry. The
salt mist drenched my hair, the winds
tore and shrieked around me, ard over
head hung the pitch black sky.
Suddenly heard step, and looking
up SEW Herbert himself. I started
with surprise.
81 have been lowering about all day."
he said. II had given up the hope of
seeing you. But still 1 could not tear
myself away"
You did not doubt me2" exclaimed.
"Oh, herbert p
My look, my tone, even more than my
words, reessured him.
''Thank GodP' he said. drawing q
deep breath. 'gThank Godl 1t is not
true, then, what I hear. You are not
going to betray me?'
''Betray you?"
81 was told you were to be disin-
herited unless you married Randolph
Heath, and that the temptation had been
too great for you. did not believe it.
And yet, and yet-forgive me, darling.
L zee was wrong-I was fearfully
afraid"
''Be afraid nc longer" 1 whispered,
nesting to his broad breast. ''What
are broad acres and cleaning Jewels to
your dear 1--we? I am yours, and yours
only"
He bent and kissed me. After while
he said,-
81 do not fear for your fidelity, but /
do fear for the persecution you may
suffer. 1t is but short walk to the
little church. 1 know the rector; he
was, find, one of my old schoolmates.
Be mine tonight, and 1 will go away
content. Not till you permit it shall
the marriage be made public"
II am yours" 1 said, "but let it be
tomorrow evening. will tell my aunt
in day or two afterward. Poor aunt,
it will need that time to prepare her."
1t was arranged, therefore. that 1
should meet my lover at the same hour
the next evening, and with a parting
embrace, I hurried into the house, lest
/ should be missed.
Aunt Mordaunt was in futter of ex-
citement the next morning. She had
just received letter, saying that Ran
dolph Heath had returned and would
be at Delmar Hall by sunset.
snow, Charlotte, my love-" she said.
bustling into my chamber before WIS
awake, ''do try and look your best to-
night. You are beauty, know, but
a charming toilet sets you of amazingly.
Lay off your heavy Grape just for to-
night, and wear that white silk with the
lily -of-the-valley trimmings. You must
fascinate this Randolph Heath at the
outset, it will be quite comfortable to
have him at your feet, for you must
marry him, my dear; you are too sensi
BILE girl to make beggar OF yourself )"
1 only smiled in answer, and I suffer-
ed my maid to array me in the dainty
silk. But at set Of sun, instead ofreceiv-
ing Randolph Heath in the grand par
lors of the Hall, l was speeding away
with my lover toward the old, ivy cover
ed church, built of bricks imported
from England century and a half
before-the church where the Delmars
for five generations had been married.
In the soft glitter Of the early starlight
we were welded. An hour after was
home again. But as l ascended to my
room remembered that had looked
my last upon the blinking Delmar
diamonds and on the broad lands of the
Hall.
/ had hardly closed the door behind
me when my aunt entered.
charlotte, you must come down at
once, you must indeed" said she.
Randolph is in the drawing-room. and
asks to see you. Don't be odd. Here,
Lucille, do your young lady's hair.
/ stood uncertain.
"And now. my dear, do put on your
diam onds, continued poor auntie, fut-
tering round me; ''you should always
wear gems, they become you"
But, auntie, the diamonds are not
mine,' l began, wishing to gain time to
think.
IWas almost ready, then and there, to
tell the truth. But pitied auntie and
hesitated.