Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-20

yery own-my own beautiful Beatrice" ano
he stretched out his arms and clasped at the
empty air-a crazy and unpleasant sight tc
see.
And so he walked and spoke till the dawr
was cray in the east. This occurred on the
Friday night. 1t was on the following
morning that Beatrice, the unfortunate and
innocent object of these amorous invoca.
tions, received the two letters. She had
gone to the postofice Oh her way to the
school on the chance of there being note
from Geoffrey. Poor woman, his letters
were the one bright thing in her life From
motives of prudence they were written in
the usual semi-formal style, but she was
quick to read between the lines, and, more
over, they came from his dear hand.
There was the letter. sure enough, and an
other in a woman's writing. She recognized
the hand as that of Lady Honoria, which
she had often seen on envelopes directed to
Geoffrey, and thrill of fear shot through
her. She took the letters, and, walking as
quickly as she could to the school, locked
herself in her own little room, for it was not
vet O'Clock, and looked at them with an
ever-gathering terror. What was in them
| WHY did Lady Honoria write to her :?
Which should she read first? In a moment
Beatrice had made up her mind. She would
face the worst at once. With set face she
opened Lady Honoria's letter, unfolded 1t
and read. We already know its contents.
AS her mind grasped them her lips grew
| ashy white, and By the time that the horri-
I BILE thing was done she was nigh to fainting.
ANONYMOUS lettersl oh, who could have
done this cruel thing? Elizabeth, it must
be Elizabeth, who saw everything, and thus
| stabbed her in the back. Was it possible
that her own sister could treat her so? She
knew that Elizabeth disliked her; she could
never fathom the cause, still she knew the
fact. But if this were her doing, then she
must hate her, and hate her bitterly; and
what had she done to earn such hate? And
now Geoffrey was in danger on her account,
danger OF ruin, and how could she prevent
it? This was her first idea. Most people
might have turned to their own position and
been content to leave their lover to fight his
own battle. But Beatrice thought little of
herself. He was in danger. and how could
she protect him? Why, here in the letter
was the answerl eff you care for him, sever
all connection with him utterly, and for
ever. Otherwise he will live to curse and
hate you" No. no! Geoffrey would never
do that But Lady Honoria was quite right.
In his interest, for his sake, she must sever
all connection with him-sever 1t utterly
and forever. But how-how?
She thrust the letter in her dress-a viper
would have been more welcome guest-and
opened Geoffrey's.
1t told the same tale, but offered differ
ent solution. The tears started to her eyes
as she read his offer to take her to him for
good and all, and go away with her to begin
life afresh. 1t seemed wonderful thing to
Beatrice that he should be willing to sacri-
fee 50 much upon such a worthless altar as
her love-a wonderful and most generous
thing. She pressed the senseless paper to
L. 4ha, LIS Sod ~
But she never thought of yielding to this
great temptation, never for one second. He
prayed her to come, but that she would not
do while her will remained. What, she
bring Geoffrey to ruin? No, she had rather
starve in the streets or perish by slow torture.
How could he ever think that she would
consent to such a scheme? Indeed, she
never would; she had brought enough
trouble on him already. But oh, she blessed
him for that letter. How deeply must he
love her when be could offer to do this for
her sake!
Harkl the children were waiting; she
must 60 and teach. The letter, Geoffrey's
dear letter, could be answered in the after
noon. So she thrust it in her breast with
the other, but closer to her heart, and went.
That afternoon as Mr.. Granger, in a
happy frame of mind-for were not mis- debts
paid, and had he not found a most conve-
nient wav of providing against future en-
barrassment-was peaceably engaged in con-
templating his stock over the gate of his
little farm building, he was much astonished
suddenly to discover Owen Davies at his
elbow.
"How do YOU do, Mr.. Davies?" he said,
show quietly you must have come"
YES" answered Owen absently, ''The
fact is, have followed you because I want
To- IN oil al
Indeed, Mr.. Davies-well. am at your
service. What is wrong? You don't look
very well.
"Oh, am quite we'll, thank you. 1 never
was better; and there's nothing wrong, moth
ing at all. Everything is going to be right
now, know that full surely"
Indeed" said Mr.. Granger, again look
ing at him with puzzled air, "and what
may you want to see me about? Not but
what 1 am always at your service, as you
know" he added apologetically.
"This," he answered, suddenly seizing
the clergy man by the coat in way that
made him start.
"what-my coat, do you mean? It's old,
I know"
"Don't be SO foolish, Mr.. Granger. No.
about Beatrice"
"Oh, indeed, Mr.. Davies. Nothing wrong
at the school, 1 hope? 1 think that she
does her duties to the satisfaction of the
committee, though I admit that the arith-
metc''-
No no no! 1t is not about the school.
L don't wish her to go to the school any
more. love her, Mr.. Granger, 1 love her
dearly, and want to marry her."
The old man flushed with pleasure. Was
it possible? Did he hear Alright? Owen
Davies, the richest man in that part of
Wales, wanted to marry his daughter, who
had nothing but her beauty. 1t must be
too good to be truel
Il am indeed fattered," he said. 'It is
more than she could expect-but not what
Beatrice is not very good-looking and very
CLEVER" he added hastily, fearing lest he
was detracting from his daughters market
value.
"Good-Iooking-clever; she is an angel"
murmured Owen.
ooh, yes. of course she is" said her
father, ''that is, if a woman-ves, of course
and what is more, think she's very fond
of you. l think she is pining ior you. 1
have thought so ior long time.
SIS she?" said Owen anxiously. 'Then
all 1 have to say is that she takes very
curious way of showing it. She won't have
a word to say to me; she puts me off on every
occasion. But it will be all right now-all
right now"
"Oh, there, there, Mr.. Davies, maids will
be maids until they are wives. We know
all about thai" said Mr.. Granger senten-
tiously.