The Penn's Grove record., 1885-10-10

+NANA@E4H ~
formal introduction would not be out
of place. Beatrice, my dear, allow me
to present to you Mr.. Cyril Trevor"
My lead reeled, my heart stopped,
in the radiant being before me, l
recognized my long lost wood-nymph.
1t is impossible to recall what follow
ed. Everything was enveloped in a
rosy haze of blissfUl incIedulity. When
I recovered somewhat we were sitting
together in a distant part Of the room,
screened from the public gaze by rows
of plants, from which / conclude that
eve at that trying moment my native
common had not entirely deserted
me.
The time passed with terrible rapidity
Beatrice told me that her aunt had
come a few days since to the villa, and,
after a long conversation with Mr..
Ross, had carried her off to Pau. Max
ing good use of my time, a bond of
sympathy was binding us very closely
together when madame at last broke in
upon our solitude.
''Really, Mr.. Trevor, 1 cannot per-
NIT you to monopolize my niece all the
evening. You may call to morrow if
you like, but | must separate you now.
Beatrice Miss Lucy wishes to speak to
you about Lady C.'s ball, Are you
going, Mr.. Trevor?"
81 had not intended accepting the
invitation on account of my uDcle's
health" l replied; ''but if Miss Ross
will favor me with her hand" ]
stopped and looked at Beatrice.
"I am not a good dancer" she said,
blushing. "You will be sorry for hay
ing asked me, afterward."
''Neverl' | cried ~fervently. "Grant
my request, and | shall be happy for
life."
Madame laughed heartily at my az
dor, and having obtained the desired
promise, | took my leave.
"H0l hOl" chuckled my uncle, when
l reappeared in his ROOM. ''Shall we
go to Rome next week, CyrilP Do you
want bracing now, my boy?"
"The wind has changed, SIR" l an
swered gravely. "The journey will
scarcely be necessary on my account.
Had you any idea that Miss Ross would
be at her aunt's tonight, sir?" 1 ill.,
CURED.
''Of course 1 had" chuckled my
uncle. 81 arranged the whole affair.
Got Madame B--te drive with me to
the villa one day. and had a chat with
Mr.. Ross. The long and short of it is
that l obtained his consent to your mar
riage with his daughter, provided he
incurred nc trouble or expense in the
matter. A selfish old man, Cyril. You
do well to take the girl away from his
influence. But, my boy he added
you must have the wedding soon. l
can't last much longer"
Don't sir, for PHYS sake, say so.
You'll live for many alOng year yet,
please God" said |, ~brokenly,
"Ah, no! Ny time is almost run"
he answered, sadly. "And | should
like to see you settled FIRST"
L took advantage of Madame BIS
compla1sance with the result of falling
daily deeper IN love. Beatrice compile
tely won my uncle's heart, and it was
very pretty to see her tender soiicitude
for him. In due course the day of the
ball arrived, and | sent Beatrice a bou-
quet and wreath of flowers, but as yet /
had not dared mention the wedding
day. My uncle had been far from well
chat day, and toward evening alarming
symptoms began to appear. He was
very anxious that l should go. however
declaring that he should rest more east
ly when he knew his dearest hopes We're
consummated and | was actually mar
ried; and grew so excited on perceiving
my reluctance to obey, that at last | left
the room, pledged toredeem my promise
to him before returning home.
Determining only to explain my I'M
cle's danger to Beatrice, and carry
back from her a single word for him, |
searched the crowded rooms and cor
ridors Of Lady C--'s villa, and at last
found her seated in the conservatory
screened by large lowering plants from
observation, the very embodiment of
melancholy. On seeing me she sprang
up hurriedly, a vivid flush dying her
lovely features. 1t was not difficult to
guess who YVES the object of her con.
temptations.
Cyril! I thought you would never
comet | even heard some one mention
that your uncle was worse, and you
would most probably not be able to
leave him."
"And was this the cause of your sad
ness, B~eatrIce?"
She blushed and looked down, with
all the charm of modesty that had cap.
tivated me that very first day l had
seen her at the pool. This innate mod
esty was part of her nature, inseparable
as herself, as exquisite as, alas, it has
become rare.
Then | told her that my uncle was
indeed worse, and thought his end APP
preaching. | added that his only re-
naming wish on earth was our mar
and begged Beatrice to nam the
day. AT first she was pale and agita-
ted; but with all her modesty and SIM
there was an absence of coquetry
about her that before many minutes
were over she had given me the requir-
ed promise, and named the day. Then i,
together with as much happiness in our
hearts probably as was w given to
mortals, we went in search of Madame
B
That good lady was not surprised at
the news we brought; but while con-
graduating me, joined with Beatrice
in urging my departure, IS my uncle
require my immediate care. In
truth, my own eagerness was great TO
hasten back to him. l babe them both
farewell. The servant met me at the
door.
Mr.. Trevor 10 worse, sir" was the
that greeted me. I'VE were GO
ing to send for you The doctor says
there is little hope"
l ran up stairs to his room. The
dear old gentleman was struy gling hard
for breath, but he smiled and tired to
speak as l leaned over the bed.
sit is all right, uncle" | said, softly.
Beatrice has promised to be mine in a
month from to-day, bat sent me back
10 you the moment she heard of your
He pressed my hand feebly in reply.
All through the sorrowful night | sat
beside him, distressed at the sight Of
his sufferings, which he bore so patient
". Toward morning the struggle
and he fell INTO a semi.stupor.
How strange life seemed to me during
lhe long hours of that watchl From a
,iek had tn q hall from a nr..noaal 10 q