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The Brussels Post, 1885-3-27, Page 22 THE BRUSSELS POST. THE EARL'S A,1O1VL._;J i, 13Y BE11T'IIA I. CLAY, :author of "Thrown on t:ee 91'00141.+ rlannted Lire,” ole. that she was the brilliant, boantifnl Beatrice of two short weeks since. "I have conte to sit with you, papa," she said, "Lady Chavasso is with anamula, and they aro talking ; my head aches. May I stay hero ?" "You look very tired, Beatrice. I should think sloop would do you geed." She shuddered at the word. "I dread sleep, papa," oho said. "Sloop ulcaus dreams, and dreams aro death," He drew the couch near to the fire. "Rost, ley darling," lie said: "hero is a soft pillow for your head, Close your eyes ; they look quite tired and straiuod, dear. Have you been crying, Beatrice?" "No, papa, my head aches ; it has a queer, burning pain. Do not lot ire interrupt you ; I felt nervous and wanted to be near you." And suddenly, it seemed to him, she was fast asleep. Site looked like a boauti. ful marble statue ; there was no color about her, except the gold of her hair, the dark penciled brows, and her sweet, sousitive lips. Ilow white and worn sho was ; her hands were quite transparent; the lovely dimples lie could no longer see ; 1':e face was worn and thio. ", ;X011 1" he cried to himself, "the , . ., dying before our very eyes, and we ..:o not seen it." ]Ic watched her in silence. If the scan who had taken that young heart Mei brew there in that moment, it Ivo, 1 1 have gone strangely with him. 1 Or,l Penrith was a strung man, by no 1111:1.118 given to sentiment or emotion, but hie eyes filled with tears as he wate!.od the silent figure; ho had not realized till then how desperately ill and cluing(d she was. Sala was muttering soalethiug in her sleep ; he would not ,i,teu, but 11e heard the words, "My love, my love!" and thou, to his infinite ,li..tre,es, she was awake and clinging to him with bitter cries. "I fell asleep, Papa. Oh, do not let me sleep again 1 I always see him in my dreams ; he comes to mo and tolls me it is all a mistake—that' must wake up and talk to him. Then, when I wake, I remember." "My darling Beatrice 1" cried Lord Penrith, "what can I do for von ?" "Kill me 1" she said. "There was a father in history who slew his daughter —slay me." Sho hared her white throat before him. "Bill me!" she cried. "The only kindness left for mo ie death. A knife here will not hurt me as much as the sword. iu my heart does, papa. I knew I could not live without Lure." The words came slowly, the last one died away, and sho fell on her face with a cry that he never forgot. That was how her illness began, and the end of it for a long time no one could foresee. It was not fever, although her mind wandered, and her lips never coascll the low muttering of unintel- ligible words. The doctors who came round her could give her illness no Mune, bat they seemed to thiuk she would never recover. Agatha never left her—the duties of the school -room were placed in other hands. Agatha found that the most painful part of the watching was this, that whenever the hapless girl fell asleep sho had the self- same dream ; it was that her lover came to her, tuld her it was a mistake, that there was no truth in those foolish stories, and that she must wake up and talk to him—always the same dream. The doctors could do nothing, and rumor said the beautiful Beatrice Pon- rith must die. Then paragraphs filled the papers, and the county people told each other how sad it was that se bril- liant a marriage must bo postponed. Many a wise old dowager repeated to herself the proverb, "A marriage de. bayed is a marriage marred," but no one seemed to think it strange that Lord Kelso did not go to the castle. Beatrice had read the opinions of the doctors in their faces. "I am to die," she said to Agatha. 1 saw it to -day in Sir Richard's face. I am so glad, so thankful! I shell rest there without those cruel dreams. Tell him—my earl—if you see him, that if he comes to my grave and calls my name, I shall bear him. Do you think they would let me see him before I die 2" But Agatha could not answer for her fast.falling tears. That same evening Lord Penrith went to see his daughter, and with ono thin, pale baud she drew his face down to hers. "Papa, I want to ask you a favor— tho last I shall over ask in this world. Will you grant it ?" "I will, my darling, if i can," he replied. "You can, dear, if you will," she said. "I am going to die. No ono says so ; but I road it ou the face of every ono who comes near nee, Lot me Boo him befo o I dio, will you 2" "My darling I" Ile cried, "can you ask me no abhor favor than that?" "No," she said. "You must grant it. If you do not, I shall hot rest in any grave. I must Seo him. It is not as you think," sho added. "I do not know how long I have boon lying bore, but my illness has changed m0. It is not that human lova now. I will tell yon why I want to see him. He did love me —ah, do not shako your floe, papa—ho did love mo, and I think if I could Boo him and talk to him, I could mak° him a hotter man. Aro you willing, papa?" "Oh, child, it tears my heart P' 110 cried, list you will say 'yes 2' You neod not see hila, awl 1 will not keep him long. if you say ' yes,' I shall eloop to. night, for 1 ani so tired." Ile said yes, and ou the following day Lord Kelso 000010ed a telegram asking him to go to Penrith Castle at once, CIIAPTFI1R LXXI. 5 TOre1I 'Atli MOOS 00 NUN (1r 150202." There was nothing thought about ou that day but tho conning of the earl. Lord and Lady Peurith had oppoeod it at first, but now they believed her to bo dying, and as this was the last prayer sho would over make to them, they granted it. 'Tim will not lot m0 see him, Hilde- brand?" said Lady Peurith to her hus- band; "I could not bear it." "There will be no need," he replied; "1 mast Seo him myself, but yon neod not bo tortured by the sight of him." There was One other person to whom the coming of the earl meant reach, and that was Agatha. Sho had suffered greittly; she found that in her heart gloat love for him lived stili. Sho know rs by the infinite pity that was there— pity for his sorrow, and greater pity of all, for his soul. A longing to Boo him, to console hint, to try to lead hila to a higher uud nobler life, came over her, as comes to all good women over the leen they lore. 'Yet it could not bo— she could not see him. Lady l'enrith had gone to the school. room on the horning of the earl's ex- pected visit. Beatrice was exceedingly ill, and the greatest anxiety prevailed over her. She told Agatha that Lord leeleo lovas couuug, and that sho dreaded the day. "I do not wish the children to soo hint, Miss liroolce," she continued, "they wore so much attached to hire, and ho was so fond of them. You will koop them in the school -room, and not lot them know anything about it." "I will do anything and everythiug your ladyship wishes or desires," said Agatha. 11 she could have done so, sho would have borue all the trouble and sorrow for each one. "Tho fair, loving child l" cried Lady Penrith. "0h, Miss Brooke, why should this stern, strange, horrible fate have overtaken her? What a loving heart she has. I can see that all her lifo, past, present, and future, is centered in this one hour in which she will see him. Sho lies like a broken lily, no pain on her face, but anxious waiting; her lace quivers at every sound, yet sho knows 11e cannot comp nail noon. It is a thousand times worse than standing by to see her die. I feel all her pain ; it socials to pass through my heart 011 well as leers. Ah, mo I what ruin, what havoc one man eau make." Who knew that bettor than the girl whose heart had boeu crushed? "I wish," cried Lady Penrith, in desperation, "it had never helpenet; and I wish that horrible, malicious Frenchwoman had staid at home. It was all malice, all spite. I am sure he loved my daughter, and ho would have made a good, true husband." "'That I honestly believe," said Agatha, and Lady Peurith was pleased with her fervor. "I shall go to my room," sho returned, "and I shall remain there until bo is gone." "Lady Penrith," asked Agatha, "do you think there is no hope for Beatrice?" "1 am afraid not, and I do not think those who love hor best could wish her to live. Her lifo without him would be a living death." "Like my own," said Agatha to her- self, "like my own." Then Lady Peurith went away, and the schoolroom doors worn shut. He who bad been life of her life, her lover, the lover of her heart, was coming for tato last time, and site should neither see 1300 hear him ; it was bitterly hard, The children were told their sister was very ill, and that the house must be kept very silent ; they were not to go down to the dining -room, as usual, but to take luncheon with Miss Brooke in the school -room ; children are always pleased with novelties, and this was ono to them. It was a beautiful day; these was morning on the sweet face of nature— the sky was blue, the sue, bright and warm, the air was sweet and odorous, the birds singing, the lovely flowers holding up their heads to greet the sun; the bright, deep river was flashing in the light, the trees were like little green realms of sunlight and song. All the thoughts, the interest and love of each member of that large house- hold were centred in the room where Beatrice lay—the same room wherein sho had shown the suit of pearls to Agatha, and had told her all about her happy love—lofty and bright, with largo windows that overlooked tho river and park ; a room just suited to a beautiful young girl ; furnished in light satin -wood, with hangings of pale blue silk and white lane; a carpet that looked like forgot-mo-nots covered with snow, a few choice flowers and favorite books, a few favorite eugravings; and in them one read the character and tastes of the graceful girl whose heart had boon so cruelly' broken. Thom was the ever fresh and beauti- ful engraving of "Dante and Beatrice," with tho lovely upraised face; there was Schoifer's beautiful "Christian Martyr," the fair virginal body floating on tho darn stream; and on the wan,. whore the sunbeams fell warmest and brightest, was a copy of the world. renowned picture of "Christ Before Pilate," a picture that Beattie° lead always liked and admired. Tho light foil on the Divine Face, so full of love, so gravo in its simple splondor, con. trastiug in its kingly divinity and (10(l - like meekness with tho half.frightened, half-arrogltub figure of Pilate. "What is truth 2" Pilate had aelcod, and OS t110 01100 bright oyes of Beatrice Penrith Ibigored on the picture she sighed the Brun words over again to herself, What is truth 2" Sho had not found it in the heart of 1111511; 8110 hall not found it i11 lovo ; she would lied it in Heaven, where the light of that Divine Face would shine forever aril forever m000. She dial not 101811 to live ; tho spring of her life was broken; earth had lost all its 01100111 ; neither love of parents nor Mende could snillie° for her, since sho had tasted the sweetest eud bright- est of earthly loves, Sho had looked into the long stretch of years that people gall life—into tlso future—and Site saw in it nothing but the chill of desolation and despair. Rather death —rather a green grave lender tho old trees, whore lie would come sometimes and feel sorry that hie love had killed her—rather tho grave for her body and Heaven for lior soul, then lifo with the nover-ending pain of losing him. She had lain still, watching that Diving Face, with its promise of pardon, until iu soma measure the Milman love had grown weaker in hor heart, until she thought 113000 of Heaven than of earth, until sho thought more of her lover's soul than his love. Day after day, week after week, sho had lain there thinking. As tato line of the coast fades from the oyes of the traveller seaward bound, the lights die and the cliffs grow dim, so it was with her—the lights of the world, tho lice of life, the roaet• o1' time grow dim, an(lbo. fore her lay tho great, boundless sea of eternity. Her simple, child -like faith shone out with talc clear, bright beauty of a star on a dark night. Sho had always boon what is called a good girl—hall said her rayon, and had carefully refrained from anything she know '4o bo wrong, because she would not " make God angry." Sho had always hoped to go to heaven ; but 110w, as she lay with the receding tide of time boating in her ears, she thought more deeply still, She hoped to go to heaven, but she wished also that her lover might be there. She felt sure, in her simplicity, that avail in heaven sho should feel pain over him if ho were not there. Ho must go. She dared not think of what she had read about torment for the wicked; he must not be classed among the wicked ; she must see him, and tell him how willingly sho would give her life for his if he would bo sorry and try hard to go to heaven, After all, timo was short and eternity long; bettor to be with him forever in heaven than forte short time on earth. So she lay with her eyes fixed, first on the blue sky, then on the Divine Face on the picture, her thoughts boat on ono thing—how she could. persuade him to bo good. Wore they true, she wondered, all the things they had said of him— that lie had betrayed the trust of the innocent; had spread rein and devasta- tion where he should have given happi. ness ? Ile had been so bad, her father said, that bo could not speak of hie crimes Ah, well, many and many a poor sinner had knelt at those Divine feet. If ho would not kneel there himself, she would kneel for him ; and, well, after all, she loved him. Insensibly the nature of her lova had changed. Sho no longer thought of him as her noble, handsome lover, her earl, but as of ono whole she had lost in this world, but wanted to see 111 heaven. Her prayer 508.8 answered at last. Sho had said to her father, on the evening before, that she was growing weaker, and world like to see the earl while sho could talk to him ; and it was then Lord Peurith telegraphed to him, and the earl name. Lord Ponrith met him in the great entrance ball. The earl held out his hand. Lord Penrith frowned darkly when ho saw it. "I touch the hands of men of honor," he said, "not such as yours. I will finish my reckoning with you when nay daughter is at rest." The words wont like a barbed arrow through tho heart of the unhappy man. "For Heaven's sake spars me 1" he cried. "I have enough to bear. No ono strikes a down -trodden man." Lord Ponrith made uo answer. When they reached the corridor he pointed to the room -door. "My daughter lips dying there," be said. "If a murderer would see his victim, there you will find her." Lora Kelso's face was white and bag. geed with emotion. "Will you not come wibh me?" he asked. "No," replied Lord Penrith. "I am afraid, if I saw hor near you, I should do you deadly mischief—I could not help it The nurse is there—I—go l I cannot control myself. Go I" Ho rapped ggeutly at the door. It was opened by the nurse, who looked ab Imp with quiet intelligence in hor eyes. "Can 1200 Miss Ponrith 2" he aslcoil. And tho woman looked pityingly at the dark, handsome face, from which the light and pride had gong for over. more. "Miss Ponrith is expecting you,11 said the nurse. And then ho heard a faint, sweet voice say : "Come in I" He lead expected angor and reproach —ho had looked Tot accusation and tears, for bard worsts; but no, a thou - Sand tiinos iso 1 A Sweet faro, with oyes full of longing, was turned to him —wistful oyes, so full of pain they pierced him; two fragile, touder arms outsbrotollod to him ; and a gentile voice said : _ter ..._....,._ ,,., vs a, FOR SALE. The uudersigued will sell or 0xehango for Farm Property PARK LOT 1, BRUSSELS, LS, CONTAINING :0 ACitES 01` RANO on which there is a Good Brick Dwel- ling and frame Barn. For particu- lars apply t0 JOHN OHEWAR, 16 BRUSSELS, ONT. —NEW STOCK OF --- Buffalo Robes, Rugs & Horse Blankets] i ZVAO1Vall L=1 O C -I I have moved to My new brick store and am prepared to wait on all my old custom - ors and ]many 110w 01109. HARNESS 1 HARNESS 1 1 Light and Heavy Harness made to order on short notice of the very best material and superior w01'lunallship. I have in Ssook HARNESS, 1THIPS, CURRY COMM, BRUSHES FLY NETS, DUSTERS, ETO. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TRUNKS, VALISES, SATCHELS, ETC., ETO. H. DENNIS. MONEY TO LOAN. Money to loan on farm property at LOWEST RATES. PRIVATE AND COMPANY FUNDS W. B. DICESON, Solicitor, Brussels, Ont. INTERESTING TO EVERYBODY. Stoves, Furniture &c. The Sterling Oook Stove just the thing for farmers uso. Has a largo oven, takes 27 inch wood and weighs over 400 lbs. The Marquis, one of the mostoonvon- ient and handsome town Cook Stoves ever offered to the public, also in stock. CALL, ANI) 5)125 TEE "DAVIS" SE INC MACHINE. Itis Simple and Durable and doe's a larger range of work than any other machine in the market. A PULL 5122001' 01, FURNITURE, —CONSISTING OB'— CHAIRS, BUREAUS, BEDSTEADS, LOUNGES, MATTRASSES, 010, ORNiinALL'r O2 LA2n. Next door to Jt Drew's hardware store. W. Ire 1s1`1aCks©,a AiAleon 27, 186fi. 'b TONBY'P1) LOAN. 1'11vet a 1"0,i i0c. Am,* at'rn Post' YuLhnh- ing nouse. 1e-1 rf OS. FIIETCITLR, l'rectleal ii'ateemakerauljeu'elrl, Geld Watebes,SI iver i'fnec0 1I' are, Silver !Watches. ('lunges. Gold Rings, 1'Iellns,Lie, I 1(eop full lino of goods moony kept iu arst-olas'Jeweiry st,r0. Cull uud exnr11f1,e, 80 trout.) to sltcrn (l nods. 2ac,xox cF xriaxxSaE o T.Sceneoe Agentfor Ocean Tickets, Au1(vienn l:xpres Companyand (hent North Western tolerrarn UompanY. 0118 CHS O H. I wish to inform all that 1 heverented the WHIGHAM WOOLEN MILL Till I get the Bruesels !mill in opera- tion and will take in Wool here in Trade as usual. I intend to take in All Kinds of iltanufecluriug Here, at the Old 'Wocden :11111 Sttlud, such Iia Roll Carding, Spinning, Weaving, Failing, do, ,Heel Guarantee to Give Good )ScctisAtetion. —ALL KINDS OF— Knitted Goods Made To Order, —SUCH AS - Jackets Scarfs, Stockbips, &c. I have a large stock of goods on hand., 611011 OS Bed Blankets, L orsc .Blankets, Slleetings, Union Flannels, 1111 Wool Flannels, Tobi Shirts, of various kinds, Under Shirts and Dratvers, an Excellent Lot of Ail Wool Tweeds Goth Fine and Coarse. ]t -"""PLEASE GIVE Ill: A CALL BEFORE SELLING YOTR WOOL, ELSEWI EEE.^(, QedSt1O deb® VV rpt, MONEY TO LEND. Any amount of Money to Loan on Farm or Village properly at 6 & 6 PER CENT. YEARLY. Straight Loans with privilege of re. paying when required. Apply to A. HUNTER, Div. Court Clerk, Brussels. EAT THE LADIES' SAY We all hold n mootin' and argued it warm Aud voted for keepin' the peace on the farm, And so ewes concluded, and settled up clean That the wimmin should have a new sewtll' maebine, That night wo ooncladed, the wimmin and 113V, To go the next day on a purebasiu' spree, We'd heard our friends tell of a first-class mhfno Tliat bootscalt the other consents, slick and clean, We went into town, and it didn't take long To find the innolilue that'll never go wrong, Tho wimmin declare that they never hey seen ,Sieh a li,highno ; t rnfn na' smooth workln' sowin' it must bo the hest, fee I hear cul all say That "Tee lieyeeen" is tho machine of the dinayao —CALL ON-- tineitemee, O?i`r.