The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-05-28
NsBURG, PA, FRIDAY. MAY 28. 1886

:
/ want the girl as much as her money"
"Just because you have been denied
both. 1t was ever so with you from
childhood. Well, | hope your plans,
whatever they are, will not bring you
into trouble
DO you mean to help me, mother? I
warn you that if Jessie is not my wife
before the years out, III marry that
pretty actress you bother your head so
much about, and live abroad"
Don't say that, Rex. Id rather see
you in your grave than bound TO that
wicked woman"
''She is not wicked. only just as de-
liciously naughty as she dare be, and
the jolliest little wretch in England.
wish all women were such good com
pany. Here comes Jess; not another
word of Dolly as you love me-"
Mrs. VemnimOre sighed as Jessie en-.
tered her cheeks still Crimsoned by re-
sentiment. She was tastefully attired
in black lace dress heavily beaded
with Jet; the bodice. cut square, showed
her white neck and left bare her beauti-
full arms.
Crimson poppies nestled behind her
tiny ear, and a broad sash of the same
deep red kept her skirts in place.
Rex thought he had never seen her
look more lovely. and he tried hard to
win forgiveness for his rash and ill-ad-
vised freedom; but i'll vain, she was
barely civil, and that only out OF con-
sideration for her aunt who looked
worried and weary.
Dinner passed in moody silence;
when it was ended Rex brought an East
ern wrap and asked Jessie to 90 out on
the balcony with him as he wished to
speak to her.
Fearing. for his mothers sake, to
{ rouse his rough temper again. she con-
/ Sented, placing some red roses in her
/ bosom as she went.
Mrs. Vennimore took up a novel with
q sigh of relief, and watched them as
they stood on the mOOnlit balcony look
/ ing towards the silvery Thames.
/ Rex lighted a cigarette, and between
the puffs, said in that cool tone Of his:
/ I'm sorry l vexed you to-day, Jess,
but you fire fellow so with your dis
/ dainful beauty, that one loses his head
( before he knows where he is"
Jessie's lip curled, and her thoughts
| flew to one man who never lost his
/ head. but was always steady, true, reli-
able and tender.
Rex, not noticing her silence. said:
'IIOW beautiful the river looks to-
night; will you be sorry to leave it?''
Leave it, What do you meani'
i mean that l intend to take my
mother away for a while on account Of
her failing health, and, of course, as
you are under her guardianship, you
/ viii accompany us"
Jessie felt as though an icy hand had
clUtched about her heart. To leave
Richmond and be taken away from
Bobs protecting presence had never
entered her head. 1t was too horrible,
all her boasted courage seemed to de
seTt her.
Rex saw her CONSERVATION. and
laughed a mocking laugh as he said:
You don't seem to relish the idea,
Jess, but you must submit for once, the
journey cannot be delayed on any pre-
text"
4 feeling of despair and defeat came
/ upon Jessie. It wanted but 4 few
months to her freedom, yet what might
not this mans evil strength compass in
that time?
She knew how vain it was to struggle
against his decision when it had once
been fixed upon. Her aunt too was but
q tool IN his hands whom he could use
to his own purpose; Jessie knew she
must submit, so she said lightly:
Zone place viii be as uncomfortable as
another if your society must be in
1icted upon Dle. When do we gOr''
Il have not yet decided; soon, at any
rate, aud considering you must submit
to my society. my pretty vixen, l should
advise yUu TO do so with CiYility. Come,
be friends; I'm too fond of you to be
on i'll terms
Jessie shuddered as he put his arm
! round her waist; she disengaCed herself
silently for she saw her aunt had fallen
asleep.
AS she bent over the balcony the
roses dropped from her bosom to The
garden below; someone standing there
in the shadow picked them mp anl
pressed them to his lns, which were
white with passion. for he had seen Re1
put his arms about the woman ne loveC
: with such reverent, adoring devotion
saw, and dared not interfere for he
sake.
CtiU ba oc,,,Id I,a4,r+ tho borea ~,
keep an unseen, unsupported guar
: over her whom his heart held deaTe
than life, his pure innocent girl-lOye.
, Oh, it was horrible TO think that sh
was compelled to live in the same hOus
: with the man who prosecuted her S
cruelty. she who WAS his. his very owl
r by every law of love. and who was on
: separated from him for q few month
s Bob longed to leap upon his rival an
Y fight for his lady-lOve, hand to han
= with his foe, as knights Of old hay
y done; passion lifted him out of h
t woTkaday world and inspired him wit
!, a desire to defend his darling again
d all the world.
But wishes were pOwerless, and 7
l. knew he should but increase her troub
e by seeking to help her now.
II So he waited with hot resentme
making a tempest in his mind. wait,
till he saw Jessie outlined against u
IT yellow lamp-light. the faint mOOnbean
5 increasing the pallOT of her paSsiOna
e face; then he saw Mrs. NennimO
W come out and stand beside her niece.
q y second later Rex brushed close
u him in the shadows, with his han
thrust deep into his pockets, and putiil
g a cigar fuTlOuSly between his teeth.
N Something that was almost murdt
g OuS moved BOb'S usually calm heart
quicker beating with a stern effort
k mastered his desire TO quarrel with
u rival and stood still till he had pass
ont of sight; then with a mUtter
G. prayer for his darling's safe keeping,
{, went ont into the white road and wa
ct ed huTTiedly hOmewaTd.
u, A pleasant, Lomely scene greeted
arrival in the quaint, pauclled parlor
Violet, with a glow of Happiness liCl
ing up her pale face, sat beside Gle
cal looking Hercules. whose pleasal
II plain face reelected the happy COnte
er of hers. and making dreamy mu
er with idle. wandering fancy was a low
II waxen woman. bending her haXen he
ly over the yellow keys Of the sweet-tou
Sc old piano.
nd i told you ! would be in time to ia
90 you home, Audrey, you see ! have k'
no my word. Just sing us one song q
then wen be oil; it is getting late, a
We the father may feel anxious. >
''Siug The day Is done Audr
ad John is so fond of that"
.. on good little thing and YOU
so fond Of John. ' answered Audrey
90 a low. sweet voice, as Violet searCl
on for the song amid an untidy pile
'p- wcll-w0rn music.
an With unaffected readiness and gr
ny Audrey sang. and the words sank il
lis BOD's troubled heart, the winged wO
ay seemed to fold themselves about
sOuI and hiring DpacP No longer