Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-24
-ilormtna sIeiuo SFrlalo.
9 II a II L L -
A VEL.
CHAPTER \.

BY MRS. OPHELIA NIsBET REID.
CHAPTER Y.
Mr. Beltham had left Judge Barrett's
family in a decidedly comfortable frame
Of mind. He had come to them harassed
with debts, burdened with many ankle
ties, and with his s. hole comfort depen-
dent on the issues Of the succeeding thirty
days. Before half of that time had
elapsed. he had seen every plan in his
well-laid scheme prospecting. The success
Of every future purpose had hinged on
Judge Baretts death. HIS prolonged
sickness or recovery would have, alike,
marrel his prospects. He came at his
mothers instance; had time to ingratiate
himself in the dying mans favor. and had
closed his eyes forever. SO far he had
prOspered beyond his brightest hopes: the
next steps We're too clear and easy to dis
turb his comfortable calculations a mo-
ment; and so, leaving a most efficient
general in command during his absence i'm
the person Of Mrs. Beitham, be had re-
turned to his home cOmplaceut and hap
py. He even took note Of the beauty OF
the weather, and was suaye and pleasant
to an acquaintance or two whom he met
en- route. The world was moving smooth
ly on its axis, and he felt no jar nor dis
comfort. With all his natural eve to eff
feet. he Strengthened himself 10 his full
height, and walked with studied elegance
to his rooms In Exeter street.
Here, having INDUCED in comfortable
bath, and dressed 20 the last point OF neat
ness, he started out for his dinner al
near restaurant. Taking up his hat and
smoothing the heavy new fold of Grape
his mothers care had fastened on it, his
eye caught sight of his accumulated mail
laid on his table in his absence. lie re-
sumed his chair and looked over his letters
huTriedly. They did not seem of much
Importance, judging by the little atten-
ton he gave them, until he came to the
last. This was full letter addressed in
Woman's hand He fTOWned "a little at
first sight of it, and the frOwn deepened
very decidedly as he perUsed it. With
the letter in his hand he seemed to aban-
don his idea Of going out, and. leaning
back, he balanced his feet on the table
and gave himself up to thought. For five
minutes he sat perfectly mOtiOnless
Something had crossed the pleasant cur
rent OF events, presenting some new or
unforeseen difficulty. and he was giving
his whole intelligence to adjusting it. A
conclusion was reached at last, and.
sprlngIng up, he seized his hat as if moth
ing now should longer postpone his need
ed dinner. But there was still the I'M
folded letter IN his lap. AS he stood erect
II fell TO the floor. In an instant he picked
1t up, and lighting match was about to
burn 1t, when. yielding TO 4 sudden tit of
anger, he tore il into two or three pieces
first, and then threw it into the crate and
burned It. There was a world of signiti-
canoe in the action. 1t was done savage
", yiciOusly, vindictively; somehow, as
II the rage ne vented on the letter was in
tended for the writer. His face at this
moment was not pleasant to see. 1t was
a a u 4 -s.-
the glitter Of bis perfect teeth showed lit
tie short Of fury. Mr.. Beltham was in
rage, but this little passing ebullitiOn
was 10 remain an episode only in his most
private life. With his hat he assumed his
usual suaYe manner, and walked off down
the stairs and into the streets, ready to
favor his first chance acquaintance with
his best and sweetest smile.
he was hungry; and his dinner was
good A woman sitting down TO a luXu-
rlOus Tepast with a heart embitteTed with
anger, would have found eating impOssi-
Bile. Mr.. Beltham, not being woman,
found his spirits much sOothed by dining,
and when this was supplemented by a
capital cigar, be considered that all
sweet and gentle influences had met and
ming ed in his being to give the world as
surance OF an amiable gentleman He
walked steadily up one street and down
another. not just as lOiterer willing to be-
guile the time in this way, but with some
certain fixed purpose.
At last, after a quick stroll Of thirty
minutes, he stopped before a large build
ing, a new and handsome fat, and turn
Ing from the main entrance opened a side
door with a latch key of mis- own and en-
tered q narrow basement hall. Here he
crossed to a glass door and rang a bell.
In two minutes the door of an elevator
was opened. He stepped in, and, as he
took seat on the sofa, gave the boy his
order:
Fifth floor"
Yes, sir" was answered, quickly. and
almost immediately he was landed at his
destination.
The hall in which he found himself was
broad and short, with closed doors on
every side. One of these he opened with
OH further ceremony. II seemed to be q
small, pretty parlor furnished in scarlet,
a1d looking very comfortable after q long
walk.
Mr.. Beltham did not look around with
the interest of stranger, but walking
quickly to the table touched a small sill
yer annunciat0r, laid his hat off, and,
taking the most comfortable chair,
stretched himself out to rest.
IL was noticeable fact that now and dur
ing the whole course of this visit that Mr.
Beitnam made no effort for effect Heidi
not pose. He did not draw up his square
shoulders. He did not once glance at the
little mirror. lie was natural, easy, CON-
portable, and had all the manner OF a man
az home IN familiar place, where he
need assume nothing, but might for the
time throw OF all masking and be him
self
IIe had sat for five minutes resting,
hardly conscious that his call had not
been answered. when suddenly remember
h a f.a ff fgfs
Tie small annunciator such a pressure
that II topped over and fell with thud
upon the floor.
"C0ntouud ito he said, between his set
teeth.
This time he is answered. The door
at his right opens slowly, and a woman
stands framed on its threshold. She is
not tall and stately, but rather small and
very graceful. If she Is not absolutely
beautiful, her face is what men call
charming, bright, piquant and spirited.
t1er halr IS jet black. and arranged with
especial care and style. Her eyes are
large and brilliant; her nose and mouth
Just little coarse, and on her cheeks Is
delicate touch of artificial color. Her
dress Is black, relieved only by one scar
let flower at her waist. She stands not
lrFesolute or uncertain Of her next move,
but firmly determined not to enter or sit
until she pleases. Her full, red lips are
smiling. Her expression is defiant but
very cold. She does not love her visitor,
and she doesn't mind showing it. For
him, he does not pay her the ordinary
courtesy Of rising. If he had she would
have entered. As he does not she is de-
termned to make him. She is not
wicked woman. though she has sinned.
her heart Is largely good, and nature has
not been parsimOniOus with her bOunties.
she has given this woman much beauty,
which has proven fatal; some wit, which
mas proven weapon offensive and defen-
slye; cool temper, which has proven a
tower Of strength, and soft heart which
mas proven her undOing. But she is
neither selfish nor cruel neither vain nor
Entered according to act OF Congress IN the
year 1854 by j. II. Estill, in the Office Of tn
7 rav-fa.- . : WVTr,-r-