The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-12-15
False to His First
Love.

There were not few people in the |
circle of Beatrice Latham's friends who
shook their heads doubtfuIly when the
news vas announced of her engagement
to Mr.. Robert Headley, lieutenant in
her malesty's service, after an acquaint-
ance Of only three weeks It was easy
to talk about love at first sight, to
assert that in this brief space Of time
they had reached degree of intimacy
which many happily married people
had failed to achieve m three years, to
point out that his antecedents we're as
completely satisfactory as his presence,
which no one denied to be singularly
straightforward and winning. In spite
of oil plausibilities, two sets of cavillers
remained-those men and girls, namely,
who were jealous either of him or her,
and those few older people who had some
actual or personal experience of un-
toward possibilities in love affairs. Be-
sides, in this case the shortness of the
acquaintance was not the only hazard
Gus circumstance of the engagement.
Only few days later, Headley and
Capt Erskine (the friend at whose
house he had been staying, and who had
introduced him to the Lathams) sailed
for India, and Beatrice was left to live on
the memory of a months surprising
happiness and to wait patiently for the
return of her lover. The girls trust IN
him was absolute. She had, as it were,
been taken by storm, for In the unre-
served ardor of Headley's wooing she did
not perceive the want of depth, and the
absence of self-restraint, in his nature,
but only an entire devotion to herself,
which made her briTn over with delight
and responsive affection. Thus her
passionate belief in his loyalty enabled
her to face the weary years of separa-
tion with marvellous courage, which
served to increase the respect and adj
miration already accorded her as one of
the sweetest and most beautiful girls in
the wide district of Kersham Capt.
Erskine. who was an old playfellow of
the Lathams, regarded her as little
less of an angel than her sister Connie,
and when, OF the final ye-taking, she
appealed to him to stand by Headley
through thick and thin, he registered a
silent VOW that his promise given in re-
turn should not be an idle one.
For more than year Beatrice had
never moments anxiety. Headley
was well and happy, and his frequent
letters breathed the same ardent affec
ton that she had learnt to believe in
from his lips. When, however, the re-
port of difficulties in Afghanistan was
followed by the news that both Headley
and Erskine had been ordered to the
front, it was no wonder that she should
be sorely tried by the fears and uncer
tainties of the long campaign. Letters
reached her only at long intervals, and
were usually so short and hurried as to
give her an increased sense of the hard
work, the insecurity, the stir and turmoil
with which her lover was surrounded.
She bore up bravely by dint of con-
stantly impressing upon herself the
necessity of fortitude In soldiers
bride, but her great love made con-
fdence and composure very hard some
times. Then at last one day letter
came which dissipated all her fears and
filed her with joyful anticipations.
arrived, noticed the start she gave and
the light that flashed into her face as
she read, and asked, smiling:
well, dear, what is tho news? ?"
Beatrice rose and impulsively flung
her arms around her sisters neck.
"Oh, Connie!" she cried, "Robi is COM
ing home~
"Not really, ,Beel"
Yes, really repeated Beatrice, half
sobbing with excitement and g1adness
"I suppose I ought to be sorry, for he
has been wounded; but he says it is
nothing to speak of, only just enough
to get leave for-and can think OF
nothing but seeing him again. He and
Richard Erskine were side by side and
both got hurt. They sail this month
how long does it take? Connie, Connie
he viii be here in few weeks!"
"Hush, Beatrice, you mustn't excite
yourself, said Connie reproyingly; but
her own heart was beating now at the
thought of Erskine's return, and she
added nervously, Il hope Richards
wound is only slight, too"
I "Oh. yes, said Beatrice, laughing and
kissing her, "they will both be nearly
well by the time they reach England
And Rob has got his captainey-isn't
that splendid?"
The girl grew gradually more com
posed, but she could not sober dowr
altogether, and every day that brought
the vessel bearing Head1ey nearer
home seemed to add to tho brightness
of her eyes and the indescribably happy
ight-heartedness of her manner. Head.
ley sent letter overland whenever
they touched at port, and in the las
one, from Gibraltar, he wrote that ht
hoped to be with her on the following
Sunday, but she must not wonder if he
were delayed day or two; he would
telegraph the moment he landed.
To the impatient girl the intervening
days passed with almost intolerablt
dilatoriness. They were so long, Sc
hot, SO still, so full of summer drowsi
ness out of allsympathy with the highly
strung state of her emotions. She
could not wait quietly; unless every
hour was Fl He'd up by some active occu
patton she fretted and chafed agains
the unhasting leisure1iness of time, ani
wore herself out with restless longing
for Headley's coming.
On the Saturday the Lathams tool
part in large nutting party, and i
was general comment that no on,
stood the heat so well, or worked Will
such unfagging perseverance, as Bea
trice. As the shadows heightened, on,
couple stole off for stroll, and Bea
trice, turning round to toss q bunch o
nuts into the basket held by Connie, re
marked with smile:
81 suppose must not call those tw
to task for idleness, considering HOY
soon I shall stand in need of indul
gence myself. Only think, Con. within
four -and-twenty hours Rob will prob
ably be herel"