Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-16

py."
The words were simple enough, but said
with such touching sweetness, such trust
full humility, that Charlie came to her side.
and putting her arms around her neck
said:
You deserve all he can do for you. dear
mamma. l do sincerely hope he will value
you beyond all other things.p
Mr.. Beltham looked on apprOvingly,
strOklng his mOustaches and smiling at
this pretty tableau.
Il believe Pye never told you, Charlie,
that Annie was my first sweetheart, and
you see she is the last. Not all women
are so hOnOred. My life has been rather
lonely and dreary. but l have borne 1t as
bravely as / could, and now have myre-
ward. Poor little Annien he continued,
caressing one of her small white hands
in his own, ''she has had some trials too;
but she has always been good, good
wife, a good sister and good daughter.
Tomorrow she must put aside all ankle
ties, all cares, and be as happy as the
birds"
Il think / am as happy now, Albert"
she said, looking up at him in sort of
wOrshiping way. i only wish / were a
little less unworthy"
GLOW unworthy, darling?' he asks,
with cOndescending tenderness.
Il mean l wish l were as bright and
witty and as beautiful as Charlie is" she
says, with gentle humility.
At this moment a servant enters with a
request from Mrs. Beltham that Mrs. Bar
rett would come to her Immediately.
When she is gone Mr.. Beltham turns
quickly to Charlie and says:
3" Like ChaTlier she said. That sounds
very strangely, doesn't it?"
i don't see just why. Mamma has
always Oyerrated me and my attain
ments, and so her remark did not sur
prise me as it did you, / suppose, sir"
'lts extravaganza surprised me; only
that. 1t was as startling as if pebble
had sighed to become a star"
''DO you mean to Tidicule the woman
who will be your wife tomorrow, Mr.. Bel
tham.'
''No! on my soul, l do not. Annie is a
sweet, pretty woman, and l love her after
a sort, but | must ask you to bear with
me to-day, for fate is dealing hardly, sore
~ with me. l am putting from my lips
the fullest, sweetest cup Of happiness
and following the dictates of honor and
duty
Suddenly dropping his cool manner he
SAID with low tremOr in his voice that at
least was not assumed:
Il am marrying one woman who loves
and trusts me when | am dying for an
other. On! Charlie, have you no pity no
care for me? l have loved you so long, so
long, so hOpelessly! Say but one word.
just one kind word, and L will stop ali
this mummery and be your slave forever!
Don't 90; not just yet; say that you might
love me-"
LET me say rather that L despise YOU"
Charlie exclaimed springing up and
suatching her hand from his. Il win not
sit here and listen to your perfidiOus pro-
fessiOns. II | did not love mamma too
oil 70 b1,. d,
little; but / will spare her for her own
sake"
Charlie, sit down for PHYS sake, and
listen TO me one moment, just one little
moment"
NO, Mr.. Beltham, 1 only wait to say
something final on this subject. l have
not just learned to-day that you hOnored
me with your valuable regards. l have
been left in little doubt on that subject for
some time, thanks to your constant and
persistent efforts! So l do not express the
surprise usual on such occasions. If you
remained single | should request YOU
never to mention this thing again; but, of
course, your marriage will put the most
effectual stop to 1t. AS we will be thrown
much together, l trust l shall always
be able to treat you with the respect your
position here demands, and l exact quite
as much for myself. If you will excuse
me now, l Will 20 upstairs to grand
mother"
He was about to reply, but she did not
stay to listen. Even as she was speaking
she had left the room.
Mr.. Beltham sat looking down at the
carpet for full five minutes. and then went
to the mirror and looked closely at him
self. He saw rather a cross face, but his
customary assurance came very soon TO
his help.
"Of course, Of course, l expected just
such scene" he said to himself 'sbut
my cards are not all played out yet.
think III conquer the situations" and as
the coming smile was fast superseding
the frOwn, he stroked his mOustache and
took one satisfied look at his broad should
ers and left the room as cool and confident
as ever.
on in the pretty city of New Orleans
Mr.. Fearne's business prOspered. He had
entered an appearance at the very best
moment, and had saved his mothers in
terests. But the time seemed long and
the days dull to this accustomed traveller.
He lOnged with a great longing to be back.
In all of his wanderings he had never
thought regretiully of home, and though
devoted son, he had felt that he could
live apart even from parents as good and
as valued as his own for the sake of
science and for the earnest love of study.
Now his whole life and purposes seemed
revOlutiOnized.
He was drawn irresistiblv back to his
starting point-and how? BY the inefTa-
bic charm of a young girl; creature fair
indeed! but one to whom he had proposed
to devote only the leisure hours of his
busy life. How had he been mistaken
She was with his fancy always, always.
He could not be rid of her. Her young
face interpOsed between his eyes and his
book. Her soft, cool hands seemed to
Nauen
his memory like q sweet strain of music
which his ear would hold forever. In a
word, she so filled his thoughts that she
perVaded him with a sweet and perpetual
presence. He felt strange and eXultant
pride of prOprietOrship in her. ''She is
mine-mine," he thought to himself many
times each day as he worked hard at the
tlresOme business details Just then in
hand. Often he felt inclined to laugh at
this curious infatuatiOn with which he
had become possessed, and was glad to
know that even she did not know all it's
intensity; but his thoughts went perpet-
ually back to her and lived on the memo
ry of her love. Letters from his father
came often filled with Charlie" He no
longer wondered, but was glad; glad to
read and reread every charming detail Of
her pretty, girlish presence. Sometimes,
not often, came letter from herself. How
curious a development did he find in these
pages. The writer was no longer pref
ty, blushing, loving girl, but a woman,
grave, intellectual, soulful. In truth
Charlie was still little afraid of her dig
niied fiance, and was chary of showing
the real strength she possessed. In writ
ing he had paid her the delicate cOmpli-
ment of addressing himself TO her intel
lect as we'll as to her heart, and, fully ap-
preciative of his kindness. she had
striyen to show him that, if her sweet
ness and beauty had been beguiling, she
could be, in another sense, a companion
also. He was gratifed; mOre-he was
charmed, and the future looked inviting
and blissful before him.
At last his face is turned hOmeward, and
he finds himself not only in his mothers
pretty sitting-rOom again, but Charlie
not knowing of his expected arrival, is
there also. He thinks she has somehow
acquired new charm of some sort. so
lovely does she seem to his unwOnted
gaze. His old hauteur of manner, his re-
serve seemed strangely sOftened, and that
he was even unreasonably happy was
easily seen.
"M0ther" he said. sit was like you to
bring Charlie here tonight. l could not
possibly have waited until tomorrow to
see her, and you would have wanted me
here too; so, as l said, it was happy
thought to send for herr
so send for me, STRIP exclaimed
Charlie. Nobody sent for me; L am here
by chance. Do you suppose l should
have been here if l had known you were
ay~pnafnd -