Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-23

MI. cdIuc, ludL am acting according TO
her fathers we'll known ideas on this sub
ject, though | am naturally reluctant to
deprive my poor wife of her trutst
friend, and my mother of her adopted
child"
If CharlOtte's father were living |
should make him a formal proposal Tor
his daughters hand. To his objection Of
youth for her l should suggest the fact
that neither | nor mine are strangers, and
he could judge of our fitness to care for
her happiness. l have no doubt as 10 his
answer, and, feeling satisfied on this sub
ject, shall consider the time when only
matter dependent on the lady's gracious
pleasure"
Nothing could exceed the matchless
GOODNESS Of these words. Mr.. Beltham sat
in dumb sort Of fury listening, but only
slight tremOr Of his lips gave token of
his mood. Almost desperate with ankle
ty he chung to one idea; this was timer
lie wanted time in which to look
about him and clear his wits for action.
AS you seem bent on the early con-
summation of your wishes, Mr.. Fearne''
he said, Il am reluctant to suggest one
more point on which Miss 3 arrett's father
laid no little emphasis"
''What was that?'
Judge Barrett had a strong prejudice
against persons OF the same blood inter
marrying
a curious smile. curled his visitors
lips.
POSSIBLY you did not know that Judge
Barrett's first wife was his second
cOusin:'
Mr.. Beltham could not control the sud
den flush that reached his face at this I'M
expected turn; but. recovering himself
quickly, he said:
Il don't believe 1 ever heard that, but
men do things very often which they CON
slider in no sort precedent for their chill
dren."
perhaps they do, but this, believe, is
hardlG case in point. Shall l see your
mother and your wife about this matter.
or Will you speak to them yOurself?v
oh! there's no sort Of need for that,
sir. 1t Will give me pleasure to tell them
of the agreeable matter, and, as you have
overruled my natural objections, nothing
remains but for me to congratulate YOU
on the prospect Of marrying a very lovely
girl
'.Thank youl 1 can assure YOU that
your young wards happiness will be safe
in my hands. Good morning! Please
give my respects to your mother, and eX-
plain why ] have not called on her this
morning"
Good morning. Mr.. Fearne, L trust
you Will make many early opportunities
for seeing my mother"
Mr.. Fearne stepped quickly out Of the
door. He had all the assured look and
manner Of man who had accomplished
his purpose, who was satisfied with him
self. The man left behind watched him
furtively through the halfclOsed window
blinds. There being no need for deceit
now, he cared not what his face ex-
pressed. His drawn brOws, his set teeth.
his flashing eyes told the story plainly
enough story Of baflied schemes. of
hate, Of perpleXities. This half hour had
well nigh undOne all his Well-laid
plans, had thrown down his builded cas-
tie, by deSpOiling its very foundation
stone. For while he did not give his
thoughts to a remedy; he only ragged in an
impOtent fury, even talking under his
breath to himself. ''SmoOth-faced vii
lain, hypocrite! under the easy mask Of
kinship, to tiatter my Charlie INTO think
ing he loves her, What does he know Of
lover He who would leave her any dav
for new book or q new lecture? Whilst
|, cOnlound her! sometimes | think / hate
her but l dOn't-but l DON'T love her
love her-lOve hertz
He sat down and gave himself up to
thought. There was not a sound in the
house, and the very stiffness seemed to
enhance his excitement. But he grew
patient after a while, and then calmly and
deliberately gave his best energies to the
situation. In an hOJr he has arranged
his purposes. Mr.. Beltham had never
acted on an impulse in his life. Even in
his bOyhOOd he had considered every step
carefully before taking il. and his man
hood had not developed any more in gen
erOus disposition. He had carefully cult
waited a frank manner, ami it required
close observation to detect its shallow
depths. At last his long meditation is
over, and, getting up, he rings the parlOr
bell for a servant. He is answered i'm
mediately by the hOuse-maid.
Tell Miss Charlie Mr. Beltham would
like to see her in the parlor."
Yes, SIR
Left alone he walks softly up and
down a few times, and says slowly, half
aloud:
For though l am not splenetic and
rash, yet have l in me something danger
GUS"
And. indeed, he looked it as he set his
white teeth upon his thin lips.
Charities lover had come and gone and
made no sign; but her confidence in his
inYincibleness was perfect. Mr.. Bel
than could not, dared not cross his pur-
pose. And yet Mr.. Beltham. she knew.
was sbrewd, sharp, unprincipled man.
So she was just a little nervous as she
opened the parlor door and went ing
There she saw a frank, smiling gentle
man, who met and led her to sofa and
took seat close by her side. He looked
at her, too, with little gOOd-natured mis-
chef in his eyes, as he said, laughing a
little:
My dear Charlie, suppose you try to
guess why have sent tor you?v
THAT is easily done, sir; you wanted to
talk to meOf something or other"
''Cleverly met, Charlie" he said, ''but
what IS the sOmethings"
That | am waiting to hear"
MY dear girl" he began. looking very
serious, ''When l became your guardian |
knew that before many years l Should
be besieged with suitOrs for your hand,
but the distressing matter lOOmed up a
dark shadow IN the far, dim distance
never dreamed, never knew ,,o+ :. 49, ~, |
Just BY me; mat Just when tie care Of von r,r
had become an inexnrassibIv
sweet boon, sh1uld have to resign it into
other banGs; when you are so pitifullv
young, too. and l believed you had never
thought Of such things. 1t has been a
shock, dear Charlie; a terrible shock; but
it is a solid comfort to know that l viii
give you into such excellent hands.
Now. you are going to marry a man who,
though he is no longer young, is not too
old TO appreciate and love your youth,
and, though his life has been given to
study, and, though he must necessarily
be devoted to books, yet will, no doubt,
take time to care for your happiness.
such men, l know, generally prefer to
remain single, but MIR. Fearne is so desi-
rable match for you, that you will, l
am sure, be glad TO rank even next to his
library in his regards; and ] do sincerely
you on your choice. l sup
pose l need hardly ask if your marriage
VIII be soon. L think l know you far too
well to think, at your age, you would per-
NIT yourself urged into premature haste
in matter Of this kind. Forgive me!
that | ever suggested such a thing, but if
1t should be some time next year, it viii
be far too early for my mother. my dear
Annie and myself to resign our claims. /
spoke to Mr.. Fearne as to the time, but,
of course, he replied that that would be
left entirely to YOU"
Charlie had sat listening, looking grave
" down at the carpet. She felt not the
slightest embarrassment, not the slight
est desire to blush; not the slightest desire
to do ANYTHING that was considered Drptty