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"Vol. VIII. IVoav lOloomileia, l?n,., Tuesday, .Ttily 7, 1874. TVS. 537.
jc fjjhurmftclli fimfs.
IB PUBLISHED BVERT TGE8DAT MORMIKQ, Bt
: ' FBANS MORTIMER & CO.,
At New Bloomfleld, Terry Co., Ta.
Being provided with Steam Power, and large
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THE UNFAITHFUL GUARDIAN.
CONTINUED.
"A:
ND I," he said, striving to speak
calmly, " arc my feelings noth
ing? Can I go to that young girl with a lie
in tny mouth ? can I go through my whole
life acting a lie?"
" Your feelings may change "
"Anything but that upon that theme
you shall not touch !"
Mr.: James clenched his hand over the
table, but his face did not change.
" We will not argue the point," he said,
" the question is a Bin) pie one a father
calls upon his eon to aid him, will he con
sent or refuse ?"
"But I will not have the ruin of that
poor girl's happiness upon my soul 1" he
said.
"There is no reason why you should
my word for it, she is in love with you al
ready." The words jarred on his listener's ear
like sounds of revelry in the midst of a
funeral requiem.
" But there is time enough for this mar
riage a year hence "
" There is not a day to be lost the wed
ding must take place at ouce. It may be
as private as you like a secret marriage
would perhaps be best on all accounts.
You will loave here at once go to South
America for a year or so, by the time you
return you will find a charming bride
awaiting you."
" I will not make that child wretched."
He replied. '
" You are mad 1 She loves you already
before she ever saw you she had some girl
ish dream, of which yon were the hero.
Enough your answer no hesitation
your answer?"
"I will marry her."
"At once?"
" At once what matters it ? when and
how you will? Are you satisfied? Then
loave me, in heaven's name leave me 1"
Mr. James looked at him for a moment
read the truth of his resolve in his very
desperation then went quietly away,
gliding like a shadow through the moonlit
halls.
CHAPTER VIII
" Nellie is there go in."
Walter Soars made no reply, but opening
the door noiselessly, entered the room
whore Mr. James had left the young girl,
after an iuterviow which lasted for several
hours. ' '
She was seated at the farther end of the
apartment, her cheeks looking paler from
its contrast with the crimson cushions of
the chair against which she leaned, and
trembling still from the surprise and agita
tion which that conversation had caused
her. She looked up, at the sound of Wil
liam's footsteps, but hor shy, frightened
eyes sank again, without even glancing at
his face, while a bright, feverish crimson
mounted into her cheeks.
lie sat down by her sido, and gently took
the little hand that lay quivering upon the
arm of her chair, took it with nothing of
passion, but kindly as a brother might have
done. ,
" Nellie," he said, " Nollie !"
Sho bowed her fair head in token that
she heard his voice, but made no effort to
reply.
"Is it true what they have told me?
are you willing to bcoome my wife?"
She felt that he was pausing for a re
sponse, and . while the color rutthed in a
torrent to hor temples, and her eyes glanced
up for an instant like those of a startled
fawn, she strove to speak :
"Yes, Mr. James I he has told me."
" I know, Nollie ; but you do your own
feelings revolt at the idea ?"
" Spare me, Mr. Sears," she said, pit
eously ; " I am such a child, do spare
me !"
" I do not mean to frighten you, but I
must know that this thing is not done
against your will."
"No, no it is best," he says, then she
remembered the Instructions which she had
just received, and paused abruptly.without
speaking her guardian's name.
" You are very young, Nellio, your heart
has scarcely yet spoken j but, tell me, is
there any other whom you have fancied
might one day be dear to you?"
" No one," she said ; then her thoughts
went baok to her childish days, and that
noble youth who had been her playmate
and constant friend. But she believed that
the affection that had grown up between
them was such as a sister might have given
to a brother, and only marveled that the
thought of him caused her a strange pang
which she could not comprehend.
"You know that Mr. James deems it
expedient that we should be married at
once did he not tell you so ?" continued
William.
" I believe yes."
" Then, I Bhall leave you to your books
and your quiot life which I have so unex
pectedly troubled with my presence."
"You have not troubled me," Nellie
said, in a firmer voice, "I am glad "
" And you do not grieve over this hasty
wedding, so strange, so improbable? When
I am gone you will not be pained to re
member that I am your husband ?"
" No, I am so young, Mr. Sears I do
not know how to answer, but I know that
I can trust my guardian."
William shuddered at that name he
could not toll if her young hoart revolted at
the idea of this union, or if it was only the
timidity of her age. Then he remembered
Mr. James' words " My fate is in your
bands, ruin or success deponds upon your
decision 1" That man was his father oh,
God 1 his fathor 1 He called upon his son
to save him he dared not refuse there
was his pledge to his dying mother 1
"And you will not learn to dread my
coming back for I shall return some day,
Nollie."
She raised her eyes to his face, those
eyes from whence all the truth of childhood
looked.
"You will bo my husband ; I shall never
dread your return, but will trust and, be
lieve in you as I have always believed in
my guardian."
"Then I will toll him that you consent
to this at once as ho wishes ?"
"At once now ?"
"Are you frightened, Nellie ?"
"No, no, not that! It is so sndden it
takes my breath away ! Don't misunder
stand me, Mr. Sears, I do not dislike you
I am not afraid I would do anything to
make you happy to gratify my guar
dian." "I will come back stay here, Nellie."
- Ho went out to the room where he knew
Mr. James awaited him.
"It is settled," he said, in a hoarse, ab
rupt voice. "Are you satisfied?"
"But the ceremony must not bo delayed
to-night this very hour all must bo
irrevocably 'arranged," answered Mr.
James.
"Do what you will am I not in your
hands ? As for that child well, well ir
misery come to her, may God pardon you,
it will have been your work."
" Never mind, William, you are agitated
there is nothing so terrible in all this."
' " We will drive into the city there is no
train for several hours, I know a minister
whom we can trust the thing will soon be
settled."
" Settled 1" William repeated the word
in mingled bewilderment and horror.
"Settled and the future the years be
yond we are young who knows when
this suffering will cease 1"
"As you say, there is no time for all these
fancies," Mr. James replied. "Return
to the fair trembler, who in her heart is
both frightened and overjoyed at the ro
mance I will call you when the carriage is
ready."
Sears stood whore Mr. James loft him.
As he stood there, Catharine's image camo
out from the past and stationed itself beside
him ! That thought was madness ho could
not endure the recurrence of those memo
ries 1 But soon he was aroused that man
came back, placid and smiling above the
dark abyss of his own thoughts.
" Ungallant bridegroom but come alongl
The carriage is waiting, and Nellie is in it;
I have ordored a horso for you, because I
don't waut your face and wild manner to
frighteu the girl into the belief that she is
taking a maniac for a husband."
Scars followed him out, mounted his
horse and rode down the avenue after the
carriage. Their departure occasioned, of
course, no surprise among the inmates of
the house, and so they wont away, thoso
two, going on to thoir fate.
They were in the city at last passing
through the less frequented streets until
the carriage stopped before the house
which Mr. James had indicated. William
mechanically checked his horse,disinouutcd
and followed the guardian and bis helpless
charge up the steps.
They waited in the dimly-lighted room
into which they had been shown, while Mr.
James sought the clergyman to explain, as
seemed best to him, the circumstances of
the case.
Nellie had seated herself in a darkened
corner, awed and trembling from vague
emotions and fears. William made no
effort to comfort her did not even approach
her chair, but paced up and down the room
unable to remain quiet for a single instant.
Once the girl heard him murmur some
broken syllables, but she was too much
confused to hear or give them much heed.
So the moments passed, and it was not
until they heard steps upon the stairs that
either moved. With a quick impulse Wil
liam sprang to Nellie's sido and seized her
hand in a convulsive grasp.
" Whatever comes, promise me that you
will believe I have acted for the best
that you will bolieve and pardon me ?"
" I promise," sho said, more terrified and
bewildered than ever by those strange
words, whose memory would recur to hor
one day in that shrouded, mysterious
future.
The door opened, and Mr. James stood
upon the threshold motioning them to
follow him. William still held Nellie's
hand, and led ber up the staircase into a
chamber where was seated the yielding
clergyman.
So they were married, those two young
beings, Mr. James looking calmly on, and
the faithful servant, who had been sum
moned from below, too much accustomed to
such sights even for astonishment.
Nellie tried to swallow a few drops of
tho wine they offered her, but hor hand
shook so that sho could not hold the glass,
and William motioned his sternly away
without a word.
" We must go back now," Mr. James
said. " Come with me for a moment," he
continued, to the clergyman, " there is one
thing I must say to you."
When they had gouo out, William re
turned to Nollio's side, from whence ho
had risen at Mr. James words.
" I am going to leave you now think of
me kindly, Nellie, do not reproach me."
"I shall remember that you are my hus
band," was her reply.
How the word jarred upon William's ear,
but he was not yet sufllciently aroused
from the sort of apathy which had been
upon him for weeks, to feel as he would
afterward all tho bitterness and despair
there was in that holy name.
IIo took her bands between his own
looked pityingly into hor clear eyes, but
uttered no expression of tonderness, and
imprinted no farewell kiss upon her
brow.
"Farewell," she murmured, and there
was a dreary sound in the word which
struck painfully on her heart.
He moved toward the door his hand
was upon the lock again he returned to
her side.
"You will remember what you have
said years hence we cannot; toll what
may happen you will remember and par
don !"
. " I will indeed I will !"
In tho hall Sears met Mr. James.
"Take her home," he said, "take her
homo."
"But you where aro you going?"
" Anywhere, only to be away from
here 1"
Mr. James caught him by the arm, start
led at the wild look in his eyes.
" Stop, William, you must not rush off
in this mad way what do you intend to
do? wo must arrange everything."
" You have arranged everything already
God knows you might be satisfied now
let mo go 1 You will hoar from mo I will
let you know whero to send if you want
me only let me go."
He freed himself from the other's grasp
and hurried on down stairs, out of the
bouso, and rushed like a frantic man
through the streets.
Mr. James entered the rooni where tho
weeping Nellie awaited his return.
"Come, child," he said, in the gentle
tone which his voice always took when he
addressed her," " we will go home now."
He sat down by her, allowed her to lean
her aching head upon his shoulder, and
weep until her agitation had calmed itself.
She looked up at length and wiped away
her tears, striving to exercise that self
control which the worldly man had always
impressed upon her as the ono great neces
sity in the formation of her charactor.
"Iam ready now," she said ; "he is
gone?"
" William? yos ! You will be calmer
to-morrow and better able to think. You
are a good girl, my ward ; ono day you will
bo a happy wife."
" I have obeyed your wishes, and that is
happinoss enough you have been my
father and my friend."
He led her away, and in the calm repose
of that moonlight evening they drove back
to the lonely house which had bocu the
witness of so many varying scenes, but
where Nellie would find no more the per
fect rest and peace which had made her
early years so beautiful.
For hours William Sears wandered aim
lessly through the streets, dwelling upon a
single thought which had fired up amid the
leaden weight upon his brain. For the first
time he realized all that he had taken upon
himself the strife and wild contention bad
dispelled the apathetio languor which had
been so long upon his soul, and he grew
mad again beneath the harrowing ngony
which came back.
At length he found himself near the ho
tel to which he and Mr. James had driven
upon their arrival. He went in, was
shown to a room, and sat there through
tho whole night, struggling against the
frenzy which seemed rending his very
being.
One idea came up palpable and strong ;
he must see Catharine once more, it might
be wrong, wicked, he knew not, cared not
he must find her once again ! After that
it mattered nothing to him what came
death must be near ho human frame
could long endure the anguish which fe
vered his veins.
When morning came he went out, made
preparations for his departure ; all with an
outward calmness, but still ho had only
one thought Catharine's name rose con
tinually to his lips, and many times ho was
conscious of murmuring it aloud, but still
had no power to check the utterance.
The sunset of that day William Sears
watched out upon the broad ocean watch
ed the gorgeous colors brighten and then
fado from the west, burning their gold out
against the pallid sky, as every earthly
hope had burned its glory to ashes upon
his heart.
One thing he bad refused to do he would
not go to South America as his father had
arranged. He turned stubbornly back
upon bis old path of travel, hoping perhaps
to gather some stray grains of gold from
the heavy soil of the past, or more likely
from a vague dosire to learn something of
the woman he still loved, hut must forever
avoid.
They were on shore at last, and he was
journeying through beautiful Normandy on
to Paris. When he reached the city he did
not intend to see Catharino, but could not
resist a wild impulse to inquire about her.
He drove to the house where he had caught
the sole glimpse of paradise this world had
offered him. He was out of the carnage
almost before it stopped, and rushed up to
tho old concierge who stood in the entrance
when the man recognized his face, ho
called out,
" Madame is gone."
" Whore, whore ?"
Really he did not know t
William could not breathe in Paris '. In
another hour his passport was signed and
he speeding on in that aimless journey.
For two days and nights he did not sleep,
scarce tasted a morsel ; a burning thirst
consumed him which no draught could
allay, but the vory sight of food was sicken
ingly loathsome. He exchanged railway
carriages for tho dilligonce, but hardly
noticed the chango, the ono seemed not
Blower or more tedious than the other. He
reached Geneva, but ,he could not rest
there, hurrying forward, still forward.
The sun was setting as William descend
ed at tho little inn in the village of Cham
ouni. He was so exhausted that he could
scarcely stand, but he left the house, passed
down a lane to a road which wound through
tho open fields, and stood in the very shad
ow of Mont Blano. The village bolls were
ringing for vespors, filling the air with
thoir cloar melody ; Hoods of mingled gold
and roso-color bathed the distant peaks,
and spread like a veil over the narrow val
ley, while above him towered the summit
of tho mountain, dazzling iu its awful
whiteness, and lending a solemn majesty
to the whole scone. Sears remained trans
fixed ! So near that she might have heard
the sound of his footsteps stood Catharine,
motionless, amid the stern grandeur of
Nature's solitude
He kuew not if he cried out, but she
turned, Haw him, took a fow steps forward
and sank into his extended arms.
" You have come back, William ; oh, I
knew that you bad not left me forever 1"
Then the tide of memory surged over his
conscience, but there came also the con- ,
viction of her truth.
" It is all a mad dream, Catharine, tell
me so with your own lips say that all be
told me was black falsehood." "
" William, that man has been my evil
destiny, he made my life a torture, then
thrust himself between my heart and
yours 1"
"That man, Catharine he is my father,
Oh, it is not true he was not you never
loved him I Never by your own weakness
gave him this terrible power over us."
She started from his embrace and stood
there erect and still. Suddenly she flung
out her arms with a wild gesture.
" It is all a maze I can understand
nothing your father, he your father ? And
he has told you that I lopd him ? Once
ho dared breathe words in my ear, from
which a wife turns with indignation
never but once, though their memory has
lain on my soul like a degradation. I stand
in the world nameless, disgraced, forsaken;
but the bitterest pang of all has been to
know that I breathed in the same sphere
with that man yet God forgive what I
say, ho is your father. Let us never think
of it again 1 You are ill you can hardly
stand. Come with me Janet and I will
nurse you we will go South, far away to
bright Italy happiuess will follow us
there I Oh, William, I could not answer
you on that day wheu you pleaded for a
single evidence of my love, but I tell you
now that even death itself shall not sepa
rate us."
" Oh, my God ! had I known this sooner!"
" Forget this past, William, we will find
a new lifts beyond ! We havo suffered bo
much, struggled bo long, but I remember
nothing of it now the sister they tore
from my arms is in heaven and watches
over us in this hour."
"Sister, your' sister?"
" My sister my own darling ! My hus
band died before ho could revoke his
terrible will they took my sister from mo
I hurried to Europe in search of her
worked, toiled only to regain her but she
died, yes, and now I am thankful for it
you are left me still."
" Your name, tell me your name !"
" I am Catharine Lennox, and she was
my little Nellio."
"Nellie I Stop do not approach me
curse me kill me that girl is my wifo."
Sho comprehended nothing gazing in
his face with a horrible fear that the suf
fering of those weekB had made him mad.
" Sho is dead, William, littlo Nollie is
doad 1"
" She lives it was only a lie like tho
rest she lives, and I havo married her."
" Nellie lives, and is your wife?"
She sank upon the ground, clasping her
forehead with her hands.
"Toll me everything, William, make me
understand all clearly ; at present I am like
one struck blind with the sound of an ap
proaching torrent in his ear."
There lie stood and related the history of
the past weeks, speaking in a cold, hard
tone, and his burning eyes fixed upon the
snowy peaks, beyond whence phantom
hands seemed to beckon him aw ay to death.
" Now, what is left us, Catharine ?
Don't sit there, neither seeing nor hearing;
what remains to be done ?"
" Nothing, nothing 1 Go your way there
is a heaven a God; we shall meet here
after." She rose dreamily and moved away,never
once looking back till his agonized voice
broke through the mist which enveloped
ber senses. '
" Stop, Catharine, stop ! You shall not
go you cannot 1 Is there a heaven a here
after? then let us seek it I will not loso
you, let me rush to death clasping you iu
my arms !' 1
" It is not you who speak, William you
will be yourself when the shock is over.
Go you must stay no longer go at once."
She wrung her hands in strong anguish ;
for the first time the great tears streamed
over hor face, and her whole frame writhed
and shook with despair.
" kou cannot endure this, Catharine, you
will go mad too t"
" No, I shall die, I thauk God I shall
die."
"Dio, and leave ine alono? Promise that
you will not ! Letiftie fcol that you are at
least on earth I Oh, Catharine, do not heed
those scruples of narrow miods; we are free,
each morally freo, or, at least tho law that
bound me can give liberty."
" A divorce consent to that mockery
a divorco granted by a man that I might
wed my sister's husband 1"
"True, true, I had forgotten! Oh, for
some hope, some way of ruloase 1"
" Never hore, William, there is none;
but the life beyond, trust in that 1"
"And if we fail to meet in that hereafter
if we find ourselves strangers beyond the
stars. I cannot boliove, I will not wait 1
You shall go with me, Catharine, I will
not lose you now."
Tempted, and sorely tried ; but her pure
soul uevei yielded. She stood there and
prayed aloud, till he cowered beneath a
sense of his own weakness and degradation.
She turned, p.-essed her lips upon his fore
head, cold and pure, then motioned bim
away. He obeyed without a word, passing
down the narrow road toward the village.
To be continued.
1