Year: 1864

entered the house with the air of an ac-
customed visitor. The room into which
he was ushered was furnished with de-
gree OF elegance which betokened alike
wealth and good taste. The young man
threw himself on the sofa, and taking from
his pocket telegram just received, read
1t with sparkling eyes. Certainly it must
have contained good news, to Judge by the
expression of his face He was interrupt
ed IN his occupation by soft hand upon
his shoulder.


MIR. Mordaunt, | protest against your
converting my drawing room into an Office.
Is your letter, then, of absorbing INTEREST,"


i beg your pardon, Bessie said the
young man, coloring slisStIy; you entered
SO softly that did not hear you


is that all you have to say to me' in
quired the young lady, playfully. Il begin
to think it was scarcely worth while to
come down


NO, Bessie, said the young man, taking
her hand, lit is not all have to say to you
have come to ask you to reconsider your
decision postponing our marriage for six
months. What good reason is there for
it?'


1t is my guardians wish, Federic,'
said Bessie, gravely. He thinks | am SO
young that We can well afford to wait
After all this is but short time. Six
months will pass away quickly


ITO you, perhaps returned the lover,
half reproachfully.


'And why not 2 she retorted, playfully


For think, Frederic, they are the last
six months of my independence From
that time I am to be subject to the whims
and caprices of a husband. am afraid
they are all sad tyrants On second
thoughts, it would perhaps be better to
name year


Would you have me commit suicide?'


'As if you were capable OF it, she re-
torted, laughing merrily.


you don't know what | am capable
Of said young Mordaunt, shaking his
head.


perhaps if | don't know | should be
unwilling to marry you at all said Bessie,
with saucy smile.


Frederic Mordaunts face flushed slight
ly, as if sudden thought had crossed his
mind, but moment afterward he respond
ed in the same vein.


Half IN hour afterward the young man
rose to go Bessie Graham followed him
to the door, and then with slow and medi
tatve steps re entered the drawing room
As she passed the mirror hasty glance
was perhaps natural. Rarely has mirror
reflected back more pleasing face or more
graceful figure. Neither perhaps was fault.
less, but the face had wonderful power
of expression. A smile fairly lighted it
up, leaving it absolutely radiant. Yet
there was something about the mouth that
smiled so sweetly which would have assured
a careful observer that Miss Bessie had a
will of her own when she chose to exert it,
The eyes were clear and truthful Purity
and sincerity were reflected in these mir
rors of the soul Frederic Mordaunt was
not the only one who had been won by the
charms of the young heress. For Bessie
was an heiress, and a wealthy one. Not
that she thought of it. The two hundred
thousand dollars which constituted her
fortune were a poor substitute in her eyes
for the tender love of her father who had
been snatched from her three years since
by sudden distemper


Bessie was about to leave the room when
her attention was suddenly drawn to loose
sheet of paper which lay on the carpet at
the foot of the sofa on which her late visi-
tor had been sitting Picking it up, a
glance informed her that it was a telegram,
and dated at Halifax. Her eyes rested
upon it a moment, and almost uRconscious
ly she took in its contents The blood
rushed to her cheeks, and she exclaimed,
impetuously. Good heavensl can Frederic
have acted so base part?


The expression of her face was complete
ly changed There was deep earnestness
in her eyes, but lately sparkling with
merry light. This mnst be inquired into
without delay she resolved IF it be as
suspect, all is over between us Yes she
repeated, in slow aud resolute tone, hence
forth and forever all is over between u.s.


She wrote two lines upon sheet of note
paper, and ringing the ell hastily, said to
the servant who answered her summons,
DO you know Mr. Mordaunt's ofice?


yes, Miss Bessie


You will convey this note thither i'm
mediately, and place it in his hand. II he
is absent wait for him.


Yes, Miss Bessie


Mr. Mordaunt had walked quickly back
to his office, having important blsiness
awaiting his attention. He was young
merchant who had the reputation of great
shrewdness in business matters. Some
said that he had never done better stroke
of business than in securing the affections
of the young heiress Perhaps he thought
so himself He had not been returned
FIVE minutes when Bsssie's messenger
arrived.