Rosamond - or, The Youthful Error

Mary J. Holmes

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Title: Rosamond

or, The Youthful Error

Author: Mary J. Holmes

Release Date: June, 2004 [EBook #5990]

[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]

[This file was first posted on October 9, 2002]

Edition: 10

AND OTHER STORIES

MRS. MARY J. HOLMES

Author of "Tempest And Sunshine," "Lena Rivers,"

"Meadowbrook," Etc., Etc.

The Owner of Riverside

CHAPTER II.

Rosamond Leyton

CHAPTER III.

Ben's Visit

CHAPTER IV.

Rosamond's Education

CHAPTER V.

Brother and Sister

CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VIII.

News

The Guest at Riverside

CHAPTER X.

The Story

CHAPTER XI.

The End

DIAMONDS

BAD SPELLING

MAGGIE LEE

THE ANSWERED PRAYER

THE YOUTHFUL ERROR.

All the day long the September rain had fallen, and when the night

closed in it showed no sign of weariness, but with the same monotonous

patter dropped upon the roof, or beat against the windows of the

grate, and listening apparently to the noise of the storm without. But

thoughts, for they were with the past, and the chain which linked them

to that past was the open letter which lay on the table beside him.

For that letter he had waited long and anxiously, wondering what it

would contain, and if his overtures for reconciliation with one who

had erred far more than himself, would be accepted. It had come at

last, and with a gathering coldness at his heart he had read the

alone and leave her to herself."

"It is well," he said; "I shall never trouble her again,"--and with a

been taken from his mind, he threw the letter upon the table, and

leaning back in his cushioned chair, tried to fancy that the last few

years of his life were blotted out.

continued--"People call me happy, and so perhaps I might be, but for

this haunting memory. Why was it suffered to be, and must I make a

life-long atonement for that early sin?"

his hand, hurled it into the fire; then, going to his private drawer,

tress of jet black hair. Shudderingly he wound it around his fingers,

with a hard, dark look upon his face, threw it, too upon the grate,

He walked to the window, and pressing his burning forehead against the

the darkness, but had it been day, his eye would have rested on broad

acres all his own; for Ralph Browning was a wealthy man, and the house

in which he lived was his by right of inheritance from a bachelor

uncle for whom he had been named, and who, two years before our story

opens, had died, leaving to his nephew the grand old place, called

_Riverside_, from its nearness to the river. It was a most beautiful

and matrons of Granby, who had mourned for the elder Browning as

Mr. Browning shunned rather than sought society, and spent the most of

Peters, his housekeeper, said, he did nothing but mope over books and

workin' on his mind, and what it was she didn't know more'n the dead--

love, for what else would make so many of his hairs gray, and he not

yet twenty-five!"

That there was a mystery connected with him, was conceded by most of

the villagers, and many a curious gaze they bent upon the grave,

himself upon their company. Much sympathy was expressed for him in his

would gladly have imposed upon herself the task of cheering that

loneliness; but he seemed perfectly invulnerable to maiden charms; and

when Mrs. Peters, as she often did, urged him "to take a wife and be

somebody," he answered quietly, "I am content to follow the example of

my uncle. I shall probably never marry."

his pride to do it, he wrote the letter, the answer to which excited

absorbing and intense, that he did not hear the summons to supper

or what."

Mrs. Peters had been in the elder Browning's household for years, and

when the new owner came, she still continued at her post, and

home would be uncomfortable indeed. On the occasion of which we write,

Mrs. Peters was unusually attentive, and to a person at all skilled in

female tactics, it was evident that she was about to ask a favor, and

had made preparations accordingly. His favorite waffles had been

fragrant black tea was neither too strong nor too weak--the fire

softly upon the massive silver service and damask cloth;--and with all

the letter and the tress of hair which so lately had blackened on the

Leaning back in his chair, he looked inquiringly at her, and she

better days, and lived in East Granby?"

"Yes."

"You know she has been sick, and you gave me leave to carry her any

thing I chose?"

"Yes."

"Let her come and sleep with you, then," said Mr. Browning, rattling

the streets, that's so; now, I don't believe no great in children, and

you; but Rosamond ain't a child; she's _thirteen_--most a woman--and

if you don't mind the expense, I shan't mind the trouble, and she can

live here till she finds a place. Her mother, you know, took up

millinering to get a living."

his benevolence.

This matter being thus satisfactorily settled, Mrs. Peters arose from

the table, while Mr. Browning went back to the olden memories which

had haunted him so much that day, and with which there was not mingled

a single thought of the little Rosamond, who was to exert so strong an

influence upon his future life.

CHAPTER II.

ROSAMOND LEYTON.

Rosamond had been some weeks at Riverside, and during all that time

how long her mother had been dead, and this was all the attention he

had paid to her. He did not even yet know the color of her eyes, or

texture of her hair,--whether it were curly or straight, black or

brown; but he knew in various ways that she was there--knew it by the

Mrs. Peters' heavy tread--knew it by the tasteful air his room

often from the kitchen, and by the thousand changes which the presence

Of him Rosamond stood considerably in awe, and though she could

curiosity at a distance, admiring his noble figure, and wondering if

she would ever dare speak to him as fearlessly as Mrs. Peters did.

From this woman Rosamond received all a mother's care, and though the

name of her lost parent was often on her lips, she was beginning to be

very happy in her new home, when one day toward the middle of October

Mrs. Peters told her that Mr. Browning's only sister, a Mrs. Van

Vechten, who lived South, was coming to Riverside, together with her

son Ben. The lady Mrs. Peters had never seen, but Ben, who was at

a "great, good-natured fool," who cared for nothing but dogs, cigars,

listened attentively while Mrs. Peters continued,--"This Miss Van

wait on her at home,--but she can't bring 'em here, for _I_ should set

know, she can't wait on herself, and wrote to have her brother get

her face, and _chaw her victuals_ like enough."

"Mr. Browning never said that," interrupted Rosamond, and Mrs. Peters

replied--"Well, not that exactly, but he wants you to wait on her

generally."

"I'll do anything reasonable," answered Rosamond. "When will she be

hurry, or I shan't have them north chambers ready for her. Ben ain't

coming quite so soon."

The two or three days passed rapidly, and at the close of the third a

carriage laden with trunks stopped before the gate at Riverside, and

Mrs. Van Vechten had come. She was a thin, sallow-faced, proud-looking

She had seen much of the world, and that she was conscious of her own

Richard Van Vechten, of Alabama--one of the oldest families in the

been to Europe--had seen the Queen on horseback--had passed the

residence of the Duchess of Sutherland, and when Rosamond Leyton

appeared before her in her neatly-fitting dress of black and asked

what she could do for her, she elevated her eyebrows, and coolly

"Yes, I will," thought Rosamond, who had taken a dislike to the grand

lady, and suiting the action to the thought, she did comb out her

hair, pulling it so unmercifully that Mrs. Van Vechten angrily bade

her stop.

"Look at me, girl," said she; "did you ever assist at any one's toilet

answered Rosamond, her great brown eyes brimming with mischief.

know better than to get me such an ignoramus. Were you hired on

purpose to wait on me?"

"Why, no, ma'am--I live here," answered Rosamond.

"Live here!" repeated Mrs. Van Vechten, "and pray, what do you do?"

"Nothing much, unless I choose," said Rosamond, who, being a great pet

with Mrs. Peters and the other servants, really led a very easy life

the latter suddenly asked, "Who is that Rosamond Leyton, and what is

you intend to educate her?"

"Educate her!" said he--"what made you think of that?"

"Because," she answered, with a sarcastic smile, "as you expect to do

it your duty to educate every beggar who came along."

The idea of educating Rosamond Leyton was new to Mr. Browning, but he

did not tell his sister so--he merely said, "And suppose I do educate

her?"

"In that case," answered the lady, "Ben will not pass his college

vacations here, as I had intended that he should do."

"And why not?" asked Mr. Browning.

"Why not?" repeated Mrs. Van Vechten. "Just as though you did not know

as an equal, it will be like him to fall in love with her at once. She

is very pretty, you know."

Mr. Browning did not know any such thing. In fact, he scarcely knew

the bell for Mrs. Peters, who soon appeared in answer to his call.

"Is Rosamond Leyton up," he asked.

carried the message to Rosamond, who was sitting before the fire,

did what she told me to," and with a beating heart she started for the

parlor.

Rosamond was afraid of Mr. Browning, and feeling sure that he intended

to reprove her, she took the chair nearest to the door, and covering

her face with her hands, began to cry, saying--"It was ugly in me, I

know', to pull Mrs. Van Vechten's hair, and I did it on purpose, too;

but I won't do so again, I certainly won't."

received of the _barbaric_ performance, and for a moment he remained

little hands were removed, and as a means of accomplishing this he at

entered no complaint, and I did not send for you to censure you. I

upon the sofa?"

Rosamond's hands came down from her face, but she did not leave her

seat; neither did Mr. Browning now wish to have her, for the light of

the chandelier fell full upon her, giving him a much better view of

her features than if she had been nearer to him. If, as Mrs. Peters

had said, Ben Van Vechten was fond of pretty girls, he in a measure

beautiful, and who now felt a glow of satisfaction in knowing that

which he looked upon, and though the nose did turn up a trifle, and

the mouth was rather wide, the soft, brown eyes, and exquisitely fair

complexion made ample amends for all. She was never intended for a

menial--she would make a beautiful woman--and with thoughts similar to

these, Mr. Browning, after completing his survey of her person, said--

"Have you been to school much?"

"Always, until I came here," was her answer; and he continued--"And

I've read over so much in your library when you were gone. Mrs. Peters

told me I might," she added, hastily, as she saw his look of surprise,

and mistook it for displeasure.

Rosamond was interested at once, and while her cheeks glowed and her

eyes sparkled, she replied--"Oh, I've read Shakespeare's Historical

Plays, every one of them--and Childe Harold, and Watts on the Mind,

tonight, and so he lingers by the way, wondering why it is that the

During the year Rosamond had recited her lessons to him, but with many

were _sent away_--and two weeks before the night of which we write he

hundred miles, and then, with a sense of desolation for which he could

upon the stairs,--no soft, white hand to bathe his forehead when

suffering from real or fancied headaches,--no slippers waiting by his

Rosamond at the door.

Of all this was he thinking that November afternoon, and when at last

he reached his house, he went straight to his library, hoping to find

a letter there, telling him of her welfare. But letter there was none,

and with a feeling of disappointment he started to the parlor. The

within the grate. The shutters, too, were open and the curtains were

cried: "Rosamond, how came you here?"

Amid her smiles and tears, Rosamond tempted to tell him the story of

at the Atwater Seminary as at home--then, too, she hated the strait-

and wouldn't let the school-girls breathe, especially Rosamond Leyton,

for whom she seemed to have conceived a particular aversion.

Pleased as Mr. Browning was to have Rosamond with him again, he did

not quite like her reasons for coming back, and he questioned her

hadn't been so nervous and disagreeable. She paid enormous sums for

her board, and so Mrs. Lindsey would hardly let us breathe for fear of

disturbing her. My room was over hers, and I had to take off my shoes

and walk on tiptoe, and even then she complained of me, saying I was

rude and noisy, when I tried so hard to be still. I made some hateful

remark about her in the hall, which she overheard, and when Mrs.

Florida, and accustomed to every attention at home, I said back some

so I thought I'd come and tell you myself."

There was a dizzy whirl in Mr. Browning's brain--a pallor about his

lips--for a terrible suspicion had flashed upon him, and leaning

forward, he said in a voice almost a whisper, "What was the Florida

lady's name?"

matter? Are you sick?" Rosamond asked, as she saw how white he was.

"Only a sudden faintness. It will soon pass off," he said. "Tell me

more of her. Did she see you? Were you near her?"

"No," answered Rosamond. "She was sick all the time I was there, and

pretty, but had big, black, evil-looking eyes. I don't know why it

genius. I couldn't help it--but you _are_ sick, Mr. Browning--you are

She darted off in the direction of his sleeping-room, unconscious of

hall, and bidding her take a light.

"But what does it matter?" he said, as he tottered to the sofa. "_She_

is not here. Atwater Seminary is two hundred miles away. She can't

harm Rosamond now."

the sofa, making him lie down while she sat by, and laid her hand

cheek.

"Yes, I am better," he replied, "but keep your hand upon my forehead.

cloth, she found them thus together. Smiling knowingly, she whispered

to herself, "'Nater is the same everywhere," and the good lady bustled

in and out, bringing her choicest bits and richest cake in honor of

her pet's return. That night, freed from boarding-school restraint,

Rosamond slept soundly in her own pleasant chamber, but to Ralph

unconsciousness. He could not forget how near he had been to one who

had been, and he shuddered as if the latter had escaped an unseen

danger. Occasionally, too, the dread thought stole over him, "suppose

she should come here, and with her eagle eye discover what, if it

exist at all, is hidden in the inmost recesses of my heart."

But of this he had little fear, and when the morning came he was

no token of the terrible night he had passed. But what should he do

no desire to send her from him again, neither would she have gone if

school in his own village was quite as good as any, and she

accordingly became an attendant at the Granby Female Seminary. Here

she remained for two years and a half, over which time we will pass

silently and introduce her again to our readers, when she is nearly

CHAPTER V.

BROTHER AND SISTER.

acquaintance of Rosamond, he had not once been to Riverside, for,

occasionally, always addressing her as a little girl, and speaking of

himself as a very ancient personage in comparison with herself. But

rounded figure, her intelligent face, her polished manners and self-

reliant air. And Rosamond was beautiful, too--so beautiful that

strangers invariably asked _who_ she was, turning always for a second

look, when told she was the adopted sister or daughter--the villagers

hardly knew which--of the wealthy Mr. Browning. But whether she were

the daughter or the sister of the man with whom she lived, she was in

her as the child of a milliner, now gladly paid her homage as one who

and harsh was his manner toward her at times.

This coldness had increased of late, and when the Lawries, who, next

suggested that she should accompany them for a few weeks to the

Mr. Browning would be glad to have her out of the way, she went to him

for his consent. She found him in his library, apparently so absorbed

in reading that he did not observe her approach until she stood

between him and the light. Then he looked up quickly, and, as she

fancied, an expression of displeasure passed over his face.

"Excuse me for disturbing you," she said, rather petulantly; "I have

He gave her a searching glance, and then, laying aside his book and

folding his arms, said pleasantly, "I am at your service now, Miss

Leyton. What is it you wish?"

Very briefly she stated her request, and then sitting down in the

did speak, he said--"Rosamond, do you wish to go?"

"Of course I do," she replied, "I want to go where it is not as

"Lonesome, Rosamond, lonesome," he repeated. "Riverside has never been

lonesome since--" he paused a moment and then added, "since you came

here."

not suppose you cared to have me here. I thought you did not like me."

"Not like you, Rosamond?" and over his fine features there came a look

of pain, which increased as Rosamond continued:--"You are so cold at

when you know I would rather stay."

"Oh, Rosamond," he groaned, "how mistaken you are. The world would be

and cruel, it is because stern duty demands it should be so. I cannot

then, scarcely knowing what he said, he continued--"Rosamond, we will

understand each other. _I shall never marry_--never _can_ marry. In

"Why, yes," answered Rosamond, puzzled to comprehend him. "I'll

remember that you say so, but it is not likely you'll keep your word."

"I am not trifling with you," he said." Marriage is not for _me_.

There is a dreadful reason why I cannot marry, and if at times I am

she could love."

"Rosamond," and Mr. Browning's voice was so low, so mournful in its

she offered no resistance when he came to her side and took her hand

girl, and at first I did not heed you, but you made your presence felt

in various ways, until at last I thought I could not live without you.

You are a young lady now--the world calls you beautiful. To me you are

beautiful. Oh, _so_ beautiful," and he laid one hand upon her shining

hair, softly, tenderly nay, proudly, as if she had been his child. "I

other, but we must not--we cannot."

"And lest I should love you too well, you have tried to make me hate

you," interrupted Rosamond, trying in vain to release herself from his

powerful grasp, and adding, "but you can spare yourself the trouble. I

like you too well to hate you; but as I live, I would not marry you if

I could. I mean what I say!"

the table, while she continued--"I know just about how well you like

that we should be thrown together, let us contribute to each other's

you like, and you shall treat me as a sister, until somebody takes me

off your hands. Now, I can't say _I_ shall never marry, for I verily

believe I shall. Meantime, you must think of me just as you would if

you had a wife. Is it a bargain, Mr. Browning?"

inmost soul he blessed her for having thus brought the conversation to

a close. He would not tell her why he had said to her what he had--it

was not what he intended to say, and he knew she was in a measure

deceived, but he could not explain to her now; he could not tell her

her then to know how much he loved her, nor how that love was wearing

fast. The shadows of years were on his brow, and Rosamond almost

impulsive girl, and going toward him, she parted from his forehead the

"Yes, Rosamond, yes," was his answer; and then, wishing to bring him

"And what of the Springs? Can I go?"

The descent was a rapid one, but it was what he needed, and lifting up

his head, he replied, just as he had done before, "Do you want to go?"

"Not as much as I did when I thought you were angry, and if you would

rather, I had quite as lief stay with you."

"Then stay," he said, "and we will have no more misunderstandings."

it was there before his eyes, and she who wrote that letter was coming

not commit suicide on my account," she wrote, "for I care as little as

after other _prey_, I shall keep my own counsel."

The letter dropped from his nerveless fingers--the objects in the room

swam before his eyes, and like one on whom a crushing weight has

fallen, he sat bewildered, until the voice of Rosamond aroused him,

and fleeing to his chamber he locked the door, and then sat down to

think. She was coming to Riverside, and wherefore? He did not wish for

Rosamond.

"Nothing will escape her," he said; "those basilisk eyes will see

everything--will ferret out my love for that fair young girl. Oh,

Heaven, _is_ there no escape!"

He heard the voice of Anna Lawrie in the yard. She was coming for

Rosamond's decision, and quick as thought he rang the bell, bidding

mind. You must go to the Springs."

"But I'd rather stay at home--I do not wish to go," she said.

"I say you _must_. So tell Miss Lawrie you will," he answered, and his

eyes flashed almost savagely upon her.

marrying. It was _hereditary insanity_, and she had seen the first

signs of it in him herself! Magnanimously resolving never to tell a

human being, nor let him be chained if she could help it, however

furious he might become, she went down to Miss Lawrie, telling her she

that time Rosamond was too much absorbed in dresses and finery to pay

_crazy_; for what else made him stalk up and down the gravel-walk, his

she knew his secret, and that she would never leave him, however

unmanageable he should become! But his manner toward her now was so

at last the morning came for her to go.

"Promise me one thing," he said, as they stood together a moment

alone. "Don't write until you hear from me, and don't come home until

I send for you."

"No matter; stay until I write. Here are five hundred dollars in case

parting with you forever, and at such a moment, is it a sin for you to

"I will," she replied, and she kissed, unhesitatingly, his quivering

lips.

The Lawries were at the door--Mrs. Peters also--and forcing down his

its occupants were six miles from Riverside, every article of dress

presented the appearance of any ordinary bed-chamber, and when Mrs.

Peters, in great alarm, came to Mr. Browning, asking what he supposed

had become of them, he answered quietly--"I have put them in my

private closet and locked them up!"

The models were crowded with visitors. Every apartment at ---- Hall,

from basement to attic, was full, save two small rooms, eight by ten,

but for Rosamond there was scarcely found a standing point, unless she

were willing to share the apartment of a sick lady, who had graciously

consented to receive any genteel, well-bred person, who looked as

though they would be quiet and not rummage her things more than once a

her room the best in the house; she would not remain much longer, and

her companions. It contained two beds, of course, besides a few

"Oh, do take it," whispered the younger Miss Lawrie, who was not yet

thoroughly versed in the _pleasures_ of a watering place, and who cast

chamber at home.

So Rosamond's trunks were taken to No. 20, whither she herself

followed them. The first occupant, it would seem, was quite an

invalid, for though it was four in the afternoon, she was still in

bed. Great pains, however had evidently been taken with her toilet,

pillows--her hair--her wrapper, and the crimson shawl she wore about

for the first time directly at the lady, she met a pair of large black

eyes fixed inquiringly upon her.

"Leyton--Leyton," repeated the lady, "where have I heard of you

before?"

"At Atwater Seminary, perhaps," suggested Rosamond, a little doubtful

A shadow flitted over the lady's face, but it was soon succeeded by a

smile, and she said graciously, "Oh, yes, I know. You annoyed me and I

annoyed you. It was an even thing, and since we are thrown together

again, we will not quarrel about the past. Ain't you going to close

that blind? The light shines full in my face, and, as I did not sleep

forgot your request," and she proceeded to shut the blind.

This being done, she divested herself of her soiled garments, washed

her face, brushed her curls, and was about going in quest of her

companions, when the lady asked if she had friends there. Rosamond

replied that she had, at the same time explaining how uncomfortable

"The hotel is full," said the lady, "and they all envy me my room; but

if I pay for the best, I am surely entitled to the best. I shall not

remain here long, however. Indeed, I did not expect to be here now,

but sickness overtook me. I dare say I am the subject of many anxious

uttered these last words, but in the darkened room, Rosamond did not

leaning against the foot-board, she said: "You suffer a great deal

"Not always. I was very healthy once, but a great trouble came upon

me, shocking my nervous system terribly, and since then I have never

think. How old are you, Miss Leyton?"

"I am eighteen next October," was Rosamond's reply, and the lady

continued, "I was older than that. Most nineteen. I am twenty-eight

now."

"Twenty-eight. So is _Mr._ Browning!"

When she did, she said, "I beg your pardon; it is Mr. Browning who is

hearing. Who is Mr. Browning?"

The voice had assumed its usually soft, smooth tone, and Rosamond

could not see the rapid beatings of the heart, nor the eager curiosity

lurking in the glittering black eyes. The lady _seemed_ indifferent,

and smoothed carelessly the rich Valenciennes lace, which edged the

sleeve of her cambric wrapper.

"Did you tell me who Mr. Browning was, dear?" and the black eyes

fearful was their owner lest they should betray the interest she felt

in the answer.

"Mr. Browning," said Rosamond, "is--is--I hardly know what he is to

me. I went to his house to live when I was a little, friendless

orphan, and he very kindly educated me, and made me what I am. I live

country--seat--I--sup-pose," the words dropped syllable by syllable

upon her face.

Raising herself upon her elbow, the lady continued, "Pray, don't think

me fidgety, but won't you please open that shutter. I did not think it

would be so dark. There, that's a good girl. Now, come and sit by me

on the bed, and tell me of Riverside. Put your feet in the chair, or

Rosamond complied with each request, and then, never dreaming of the

close examination to which her face was subjected, she began to speak

of her beautiful home--describing it minutely, and dwelling somewhat

nod to her own question.

"Yes--very--very much," was Rosamond's answer; and the lady continued,

"There is no Mrs. Browning," returned Rosamond, adding, quickly, as

she saw in her auditor's face an expression she did not understand,

housekeeper, has charge of me."

"Perhaps, then, he will marry you," and the jeweled hands worked

nervously under the crimson shawl.

"Oh, no, he won't," said Rosamond, decidedly, "he's too old for me.

dark and almost fiendish expression. "Why, yes, I love him as a

would be impossible to love him with a marrying love."

The fierce expression passed away, and Miss Porter was about to speak

room, thinking that, after all, she should like her old enemy of

Atwater Seminary very much.

Meantime "the enemy" had buried her face in her pillows, and clenching

her blue veined fists, struck at the empty air, just as she would have

she so young and beautiful. I could have strangled her--the jade!--

when she sat there talking so enthusiastically to _me, of him!_ And

she loves him, too. I know she does, though she don't know it herself.

But I must be wary. I must seem to like this girl--must win her

confidence--so I can probe her heart to its core, and if I find they

love each other!"--she paused a moment, then grinding her teeth

sweet, "Marie Porter will be avenged!"

That strange woman could be a demon or an angel, and as the latter

found her all gentleness and love.

That night, when all around the house was still, the full moon shone

down upon a scene which would have chilled the blood of Ralph Browning

pillow--her cheeks flushed with health and beauty--her lips slightly

apart and her slender hands folded gracefully upon her bosom. Over her

a fierce woman bent--her long, black hair streaming down her back--her

eyes blazing with passion--her face the impersonation of malignity and

Rosamond was dreaming of her home, and the ogress, standing near,

own couch, she whispered, "It is as I believed, and now _if_ he loves

All that night she lay awake, burning with excitement and thirsting

for revenge, and when the morning came, the illness was not feigned

really suffering now, and during the next few days, Rosamond stayed

almost constantly at her side, administering to her wants, and caring

for her so tenderly that hatred died out of the woman's heart, and she

pitied the fair young girl, for in those few days she had learned what

Rosamond did not know herself, though she was gradually waking up to

it now. It was a long time since she had been separated from Mr.

the day, and at night wondering if he were thinking of her, and

would lose all knowledge of her. She did not care to talk so much of

the girl's confidence, learned almost everything--learned that there

impediment to be _hereditary insanity_--learned that he was often

again with the utmost tenderness. Of the interview in the library

Rosamond did not tell, but she told of everything else--of his

refusing to let her come to the Springs and then compelling her,

against her will, to go; and Marie Porter, holding the little hands in

hers, and listening to the story, read it all, and read it aright,

beautiful girl each day and know he must not win her.

"But I pity _her_" she said, "for there is coming to her a terrible

awakening."

Then, for no other reason than a thirst for excitement, she longed to

see that awakening, and one day when they sat together alone, she took

Rosamond's hand in hers, and examining its scarcely legible lines,

a fortune-teller. I inherited the gift from my grandmother, and though

_love_ Mr. Browning. I have known that all along. You think of him by

thought of going home to him. But, Rosamond, you will not marry him.

There is an impediment, as you say, but not insanity. I cannot tell

you what it is, but I can see," and she bent nearer to the hand which

trembled in her own. "I can see that for you to marry him, or--mark

you?"

Rosamond had laid her face upon the bed and was sobbing hysterically,

but you cannot be my wife," which affected him so strangely. But she

when he seemed to be more calm, she stole up to him, and kneeling at

not love you less."

"It cannot be. You would never do as you have done."

looking him steadily in the eye, by way of controlling him, should he

be seized with a sudden attack, "I know exactly what it is, and though

it will prevent me from being your wife, it will not prevent me from

loving you just the same, or from living with you either. I shall stay

here always--and--and--pardon me, Mr. Browning, but when you get

furious, as you sometimes do, I can quiet you better than any one

_madman!"_

said. "It is far worse than insanity; and, Rosamond, though it breaks

you must not remember what I said. You must crush every tender thought

Rosamond?"

"No--no--no! she cried, and laying her face in his lap, she burst into

a passionate flood of tears.

"Leave me," he whispered, "or I _shall_ go mad, for I know I am the

cause of this distress."

There was decision in the tones of his voice, and it stilled the

will go, but I cannot forget that you deceived me. You have wrung from

me a confession of my love, only to throw it back upon me as a

priceless thing."

Not thus would he part with her, and grasping her arm, he began:

"Heaven knows how much more than my very life I love you--"

He did not finish the sentence, for through the air a small, dark

was broken in a hundred pieces. It was a vase which stood upon the

Impatient at the delay, he had come up in time to hear his uncle's

last words, which aroused his Southern blood at once, and seizing the

vase, he hurled it at the offender's head--then, rushing down the

stairs, he burst upon his mother with "Great thunder! mother; Uncle

Crimean war!" and Ben bounded up and down like an India-rubber ball.

Suddenly remembering that another train was due ere long, he darted

out of the house, followed by his distracted mother, who, divining his

intention, ran swiftly after him, imploring him to return. Pausing for

mother. I've only one choice left--WAR! Give my love to Rosamond, and

want to. Good-by."

He turned the corner--he had started for the _war_--and mentally

"Ralph," she began, sternly, "have you talked of love to Rosamond?"

Mr. Browning had borne so much that nothing startled him now, and

returning her glance unflinchingly, he replied, "I have."

"How, then--is Marie dead?" the lady asked.

"Not to my knowledge--but hist," was the reply, as Mr. Browning nodded

departed. When they were again alone, Mrs. Van Vechten demanded an

as she always seemed, Mrs. Van Vechten had some kind feelings left,

of reproach, and even unbent herself to say that a brighter day might

of following him that night. To this plan Mr. Browning offered no

remonstrance, and when the night express left the Granby station, it

carried with it Mrs. Van Vechten, in pursuit of the runaway Ben.

NEWS.

Nearly two weeks had passed away since the exciting scene in Mr.

Browning's library, and during that time Rosamond had kept herself

maintained toward him a perfectly respectful but rather freezing

confession of her love, and then told her how useless--nay, worse--how

intensely, but she resolutely left him to suffer alone, and he would

rather it should be so.

Life was growing more and more a wearisome burden, and when, just one

grief. The letter was dated at the Springs, where Miss Porter was

still staying, though she said she intended starting the next day for

Cuyler, a little out-of-the-way place on the lake, where there was but

little company, and she could be quiet and recruit her nervous system.

recent attempt at making love to Rosamond Leyton! "Indeed," she wrote,

deem it my duty to keep continually before your mind the fact that

were no _spies_ about his premises. Rosamond would not do it, and it

must have been his sister, though why she should thus wish to annoy

instrumental in placing him where he was. Once he thought of telling

Rosamond all, but he shrank from this, for she would leave his house,

he knew, and, though she might never again speak kindly to him, he

would rather feel that she was there.

And so another dreary week went by, and then one morning there came to

and sent through his frame a thrill so benumbing and intense that at

place upon the lake, which of late has been somewhat frequented during

pleasure-boat which is kept for the accommodation of the guests. They

accompanied by a violent wind, and the owner of the skiff, feeling

in time to see the boat make a few mad plunges with the waves, and

then capsize at the distance of nearly half a mile from the shore.

"Every possible effort was made to save the unfortunate pleasure-

seekers, but in vain; they disappeared from view long before a boat

that of a Miss Porter, from Florida. She had reached Cuyler only the

waiting-maid, who seems overwhelmed with grief at the loss of her

mistress."

This, then, was the announcement which so affected Ralph Browning,

blotting out for a moment the wretched past, and taking him back to

the long ago when he first knew Marie Porter and fancied that he loved

himself, and with each repetition the wish grew strong within him--not

bitterly, and with the softened feeling which death will always bring,

both sides, but he would rather now, that she had been reconciled to

him ere she found that watery grave. Hand in hand with these

reflections came another thought; a bewildering, intoxicating thought.

He was _free_ at last--free to _love_--to _worship_--to _marry_

"And I will go to her at once," he said, after the first hour had been

given to the dead; "I will tell her all the truth."

He rose to leave the room, but something stayed him there, and

away. Go there first and investigate."

For him to will was to do, and telling Mrs. Peters he should be absent

reached near the close of the day. Calm and beautiful looked the

watch and told no tales of her last dying wail to the careworn,

haggard man who stood upon the sandy beach, where they said that she

seemed that day, and how jestingly she spoke of the dark thunderhead

which even then was mounting the western horizon. They had tried in

vain to find her, and it was probable she had sunk into one of the

unfathomable holes with which the lake was said by some to abound.

Sarah, the waiting-maid, wept passionately, showing that the deceased

must have had some good qualities, or she could not thus have attached

he had answered, "No--oh, no. You must apprise me of it by letter, as

off his mind, he started at once for home. Certainty now was doubly

fixed upon his mind, he began to experience a dread of telling

Rosamond all. Why need she know of it, when the telling it would throw

much censure on himself. She was not a great newspaper reader--she had

not seen the paragraph, and would not see it. He could tell her that

the obstacle to his happiness had been removed--that 'twas no longer a

would say to her, but nothing more.

And all this he did say to her in the summer-house at the foot of the

garden, where he found her just as the sun was setting. And Rosamond

listened eagerly--never questioning him of the past, or caring to hear

of it. She was satisfied to know that she might love him now, and with

his arm around her, she sat there alone with him until the August moon

was high up in the heavens. He called her his "sunshine"--his "light"

kissed her again and again, telling her she should be his wife when

birthday, and looking into her girlish face, he asked her if he were

caressing his grayish hair.

"He had grown young since he sat there," she said, and so, indeed, he

had, and the rejuvenating process continued day after day, until the

most other matches, was pronounced a suitable one. Even Mrs. Van

Vechten, who had found Ben at Lovejoy's Hotel, and still remained with

him in New York, wrote to her brother a kind of congratulatory letter,

mingled with sickly sentimental regrets for the "heart-broken,

to the wedding or not, she said, as Ben had positively refused to

watch lest he should elope with a second-rate actress at Laura Keene's

soft, good-natured heart would probably be wrung, she went back to the

preparations for her bridal, which were on a magnificent scale. They

Browning had several influential acquaintances there, they would of

course see some society, and he resolved that his bride should be

inferior to none in point of dress, as she was to none in point of

beauty. Everything which love could devise or money procure was

purchased for her, and the elegance of her outfit was for a long time

the only theme of village gossip.

Among the members of the household none seemed more interested in the

invariably tried on and submitted to the inspection of Mr. Browning,

sped the halcyon hours, bringing at last the fading leaf and the

love, there came no warning note to tell her of the dark November days

CHAPTER IX.

THE GUEST AT RIVERSIDE.

The November days had come. The satin dress was made--the bridal veil

sent home--the wreath of orange, too; and then, one morning when the

summer, it would seem, had come to revisit the scenes of its brief

reign, Mr. Browning kissed his bride-elect, and wiped away the two big

tears which dropped from her eyelashes when he told her that he was

said, and he bade her quiet the fluttering of her little heart, which

"I don't know why it is," she said, "I'm not one bit superstitious,

but Bruno howled so dismally under my window all night, and when he

ceased, a horrid owl set up a screech. I told Maria, and she said, in

all the more--"

"That Maria is too superstitious, and I don't like her to be with you

so much," said Mr. Browning, his own cheek turning slightly pale, as

kiss the little maiden, who followed him down the avenue, and then

gate-post, and was sheltered by a sycamore. "Here," said she, "shall I

wish it would hurry."

seemed long to Rosamond, and, though she varied the time by trying on

each and every one of her new dresses, she was glad when it was night,

depression of spirits was gone; he was coming--she should wait for him

beneath the sycamore--possibly she would hide to make him believe she

was not there, and the bright blushes stole over her dimpled cheeks as

she thought what he would do when he found that she _was_ there.

"Ten o'clock," she said to herself, as she heard the whistle of the

long time, and, leaning against a tree, seemed to be debating whether

quickening her movements, soon stood upo