Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1909-06-02
How t..c
Dreams Faded

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. Saf
toris, come to preside over West
] avn since Mr. Sartoris death. A
rich. masterful. elegant man, who had
fallen desperately in love with the
goyerness. and had been accepted b!
her "a hours before.
Beulah had locked herself in EoI
room, daring for the first time in those
"a hours-yes, for the first time Z nee
Albert Alsager had shown his ardent
admiration, three months before-to
look matters straight in the face.
And she saw two undeniable facts II
that unshrinking, steadfast, stubborn
gaze. One that never again in all hei
lie would such a wonderful good for
tune come to her as this that Al
sa2er had laid, with pleadings ant
kisses, at her feet "a hours before. To
be rich, so influential to lead such
luxurious life, not one girl--one poor,
obscure grim 10000 would ever
have such a chance.
Eut then that other fact-that when
Vernon had sailed. one year before.
he had taken her solemn promise.
When he returned, June 24-and tn.
day it was June 20.
If she had been true to her own
heart, true to her womanhood, Al
sager's declaration would meyer have
left his lips but it was enough that
she had not been true, and now she
was in place where there was to be
a 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 prideful thrill
at the sight of him. but 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 1t.
"My own darling! How l wanted
you, Beulah--how / wanted to have
you just where you are now, where
you belong!"
And when he pressed his kisses
warm and lingering on her lips. Beu
lah tried to free herself.
do I brighten you? don't mean
to, DEAR" he said. tenderly. "Or don't
you love me?"
Il 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 been
quite fair with that other one. Yer
non, 1 think was his name"
He ID coming tomorrow" she
whispered.
"That Will b disappointment to
him." he said. "Beulah, how sorry I
feel for him! How sorry feel for
every other man who has not won
your love! wonder II 1t is possible
for me to be Jealous Of Vernon? Beu
lah, may see him for you when hs
epmes?"
Yes. tell him what you please" she
said. quickly. almost detiantly, aftes
nat little, low-breathed. he itatina
res. And must go now-I must got
Four o'clock Of the morrow!
Had Pierce come! Had he heard al
shout II? Had he got the death blow
70 his hopes and happiness!
Then. Just In sight Of West Lawn
gates, again she saw Alsager standing.
On the elf, the furious east wind
Blowing the salt spray in his face, -
viass In hand, he stood watching what
appalled, her to Sea- himsy lftth
soSt, in which one man. all alone, w.
1ying to make the shore.
And then she saw the face Of tha
nan In the boat.
Save him! Save him! Don't =.
him perish, Mr.. Alsagsr. for Gods
Mke. save him! He was coming b
mel"
md in the shrek Of horror and
yearning, IRE look In her face, IN her
syeE, Alsager knew 1t was Pierce ves
Aon she loved better than h..l.
Go on!" she cried. "Don't you SCI
AS IS perishing? Pierce! PierceY
And she shouted oSt his name wildly
keep DIP your courage; help is oo0
lng:"
6ne saw Alsager spring into the ~
0e boat, rocking In the surf; she say
Elm push Oh, - II into the very jaw,
q death.
Only an hour later-that to Beulss
1semed an etsrnity-and then Mrs
oartoris came to her. colder, stateliA
nan ever.
my brother has revived, and ai
tAnger 10 past, an6 he desires me =
convey to you this message-that yn
will consider the past 10 hours -
Though they had not been. 90 far as h
n concerned, while yoz will ALLOW
me to suggest that can al your poak