The bee., 1909-05-13
How the
Dreams Faded


an hours relief from her governess
duties, and in her own room, with
locked door, was walking restlessly
up and down.
He was the Uncle BERTHE" whom
the children alternately adored and
tormented. He was the handsome
bachelor brother Of pretty Mrs. sar.
toris, come to preside over West
Lawn since Mr. Sartoris' =. A
rich, masterful, elegant man, % had
fallen desperately in love with the
governess, and had been accepted by
her "a hours before.
Beulah had locked herself in her
room, daring for the first time In those
"a hours-yes, for the first time since
Albert Alsager had shown his ardent
admiration, three months before-tc
look matters straight in the face.
And she saw two undeniable facts IL
that unshrinking. steadfast, stubborn
gaze. One that never again in all her
life would such wonderful good for.
tune come to her as this that Al
sager had laid, with pleadings anc
kisses, at her feet "a hours before. TIC
be rich, so influential, to lead such 9
luxurious life, not one ghl-one 6Poor
obscure girl--in 10000 would 0evei
have such q chance.
But then that other fact--that when
Vernon had sailed, one year before,
he had taken her solemn promise.
When he returned, June 24--and to
day II was June 10.
II she had been true 10 her own
heart, true to her womanhood, AL
sagers declaration would never have
left his lips; but II was enough that
she had not been true, and now she
was In a place where there was to be
q terrible contest between ambition
and affection.
What should she do?
And, as II in answer, she heard her
name called from the lawn below, and
she saw Alsager standing in the
shade.
Come down, Beulah, want you in
the library"
And her heart gave a prideful thrill
at the sight Of him, bat not the
same fierce, passionate sensation that
always throbbed over her when Pierce
Vernon looked at her. Yes, she would
go down to him, tell him all about IT.
MY own darlingl How l wanted
you, Beulah-how wanted to have
you Just where you are now, where
you belongl"
And when he pressed his kisses
warm and lingering on her lips, Beu
lab tried TO free herself.
DO frighten you? don't mean
to, dear" he said, tenderly. "Or don't
you love me?"
II want TO tell--you-something-
first." she said in little gasps OF
shrinking dismay, now that the crisis
had come.
you may tell anything you like, "
he said. except you don't love me
think, however, can guess. You
are afraid, maybe. you have not beer
quite fair with that other one. Yer
non, think was HIS name"
He is coming tomorrow" she
whispered.
"That will be disappointment to
him." he said. "Beulah, how sorry ]
feel for him! How sorry feel fol-
every other man who has not won
your love! wonder II 1t Is possible
for me to be jealous Of Vermont Beu
lah. may see him for you when he
comes?"
Yes, tell him what you please" she
said, quickly, almost defantly, after
that little. low-breathed, hesitatins
yes. "And ! must go now-I must go!'
-Four o'clock of the morrowl
Had Pierce come? Had he heard al,
about It? Had he got the death blow
TO his hopes and happiness?
Then, just in sight Of West Lawn
gates, again she saw Alsager standing
on the cliff, the furious east wind
blowing the salt spray in his face, as
glass in hand, he stood watching what
appalled, her to sea himsy little
boat, in which one man. all alone, was
trying to make the shore.
And then she saw the face OF the
man in the boat.
Save him! Save him! Don't lei
him perish, Mr.. Alsager, for Gods
sake, save himl He was coming te
met"
And in the shrek OF horror and
yearning, the look in her face, in hei
eyes, Alsager knew II was Pierce Yer
non she loved better than him.
Go on" she cried. Don't you see
he is perishingY Piercel PierceY
And she shouted out his name wildly
keep up your courage; help is com
Ingi"
She saw Alsager spring into the lit
tie boat. rocking IN the surf; she saw
him push on, as II into the very jaws
Of death.
Only an hour later-that to Beulah
seemed an eternity-and then Mrs
Sartoris came to her, colder. stateliei
than ever.
my brother has revived. and al
danger is past. and he desires me tc
convey to you this message-that you