Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-11-30
CHATTER xxx.


awoke feeling as If what had occurred
must have been dream. She seemed
scarcely to realize it all, scarcely fully
to comprehend the changes that might
come. Her lovers fond words rang in
her ears, filling her heart with bliss
hitherto unknown-that, at any rate,
was no dream, she told herself-and at
the same time what he had said re-
specting her sisters marriage, vague as
it was. made her shiver with alarm.
She knew not what to dread, on which
side the blow would fall, but the con-
viction took firm possession of her that
something would yet intervene to break
off the match.
To her great joy his letter arrived in
the afternoon, dispensing for the time
all doubts and fears. 1t was so sweet
to her to read over and over again the
assurance of his undying love, to dwell
upon his words OF endearment. 10 be
his, to walk through life hand in hand
with him, was all she asked Of fate.
Even if he should be obliged to leave
the country as he had said might be
the case, was there not space enough in
the world where they might be happy
with each other?
With these thoughts floating through
her mind she fell asleep at night. st.
Lawrence's letter clasped in her hand:
Lena brooded over her miSeries, real
and imagined, after she went to bed,
till she could bear it no longer. She
rose, and, throwing a dressing gown
round her, she lighted her lamp, and
stole into Bertha's room. Standing by
the bedside, and shading the lamp with
her hand, she gazed upon the sleeper
A soft flush fingered on Bertha's cheeks,
a happy smile on her lips.
She softly drew the letter from be-
tween Bertha's loosened fingers, and,
setting down the lamp, unfolded the
note and read it through-read how ut
terly she had deceived herself; how en-
tirely the love she had been sinfully in
dulging in was vain; read also her own
condemnation in the part she was act
ing. Tortured, self-accused, torn by
conflicting passions, she stood, not
knowing whether to go or stay, when
Bertha, reused by the light or by Lena's
movement, opened her eyes, and start
ed up in bed.
LENA" she cried, '.what is the mat
terp Are you illYn
Ill" returned Lena, with bitter
laugh. "Nol What should make me
i'll when the crowning day of my life
will be the day after tomorrow? But I
could not sleep; came here to ask you
something"
"What do you want to ask mep" in
quired Bertha, far from being reassured
BY her sisters manner. And then she
perceived that Lena had taken st. Law
rence's letter. She stretched out her
hand for it.
"You shouldn't have taken that, !" she
said; lit was not intended for you to
read"
"Why notp" asked Lena, in the same
plimentary to me-and one likes COM
Lawrence loved all along-and you
knew it!'' she went on, her mocking
tone changing to one of anger.
mo; did not know it till last night, y
Bertha replied with a very bright
blush. "At one time | hoped it and
then I made up my mind l had been
mistaken when he no longer came to the
house."
'1And it was for Douglass sake he
stayed away-and Douglas loved you
tool" Lena exclaimed. SOh, Bertha,
why could you not have loved him?-
Why did You not marry him?" she cried
wildly. "Why need you have won st.
Lawrence too? He might have loved
me once"
sLena. are you madp" exclaimed
Bertha, looking with frightened eyes at
her sister flushed and agitated counte-
nance. "What have you to do with st.
LawrenceS love? You are to be bride
before many hours"
Lena pressed her hands to her tenn
pies, and fell on her knees by the bed
side. M .#
"a bride-yesl I have made my
choice, haven't II And would do the
same again. And yet / loved another
all the while. Bertha, you cannot mar
ry st. Lawrence. she went on in wild
voice; ''you shall not marry him. He
is a disgraced man, going under an as
sumed name. Our mother will never
give her consent
"You are speaking of you know not
what, Lena" Bertha rejoined, with diff
fculty retaining her calmness. mo
disgrace can ever attach to Eustace st.
Lawrence. / know the name he goes
by is not his own, but, if the mystery
that hangs over him should never be
cleared up, shall not doubt him. II
he called upon me to be his wife and to
follow him tomorrow, would 60 with
him with the most perfect trust to the
very ends of the earth. But we are not
thinking of marrying yet," she added,
Shocking herself in the gush of feeling
that had prompted her words. "There
Is no need to trouble mamma at pres
snt."
81 tell you you shall not marry himp
cried Lena, still more fiercely, clutchine
the bedclothes in her hands, as she
knelt. Why should you be happy and
''Lena, dear Lena, you don't know
what you say" Bertha returned, more
and more frightened by her sisters
manner. "Why should you be misera.
blep You do not love Mr.. Fancourt
tell him SO even now at the eleventh
h0ur-give up this hateful marriage
What does it matter what the world
may sayY We will go abroad for while
we will do anything you wish. Oh
Lena, listen to me, for the sake of your
life's happiness-fory your souls peace!'
Bertha took her sisters cold hands in
hers as she spoke, but Lena snatched
them away.
"What will you do for me9" she de.
manded. "Will you give up st. Law.
rence?"
''No," Bertha replied firmly; moi
ought you to ask it of me. have given
him my faith; if 1 broke it, l should be
false t0 him ard to mvself."