Beulah - Page 231/348

"Won't you go back to Uncle Guy? Won't you let him adopt you? Do,

please. See how grim and pale he looks. Won't you?"

"No. He has ceased to care about my welfare; he is not distressed

about me, I assure you. Good-by. Write to me often."

"Yes, I will; and in vacation Ernest says you are to come up and

spend at least a month with us. Do you hear?"

The carriage was whirled away, and Beulah walked on to her

schoolroom with a dim foreboding that when she again met the

beautiful, warm-hearted girl sunshine might be banished from her

face. Days, weeks, and months passed by. How systematic industry

speeds the wheels of time! Beulah had little leisure, and this was

employed with the most rigid economy. School duties occupied her

until late in the day; then she gave, every afternoon, a couple of

music lessons and it was not until night that she felt herself

free. The editor of the magazine found that her articles were worth

remuneration, and consequently a monthly contribution had to be

copied and sent in at stated intervals. Thus engaged, spring glided

into summer, and once more a June sun beamed on the city. One

Saturday she accompanied Clara to a jewelry store to make some

trifling purchase, and saw Eugene Graham leaning over the counter,

looking at some sets of pearl and diamonds. He did not perceive her

immediately, and she had an opportunity of scanning his countenance

unobserved. Her lip trembled as she noticed the flushed face and

inflamed eyes, and saw that the hand which held a bracelet was very

unsteady. He looked up, started, and greeted her with evident

embarrassment. She waited until Clara had completed her purchase,

and then said quietly: "Eugene, are you going away without coming to see me?"

"Why, no; I had intended calling yesterday, but was prevented, and I

am obliged to leave this afternoon. By the way, help me to select

between these two pearl sets. I suppose you can imagine their

destination?"

It was the first time he had alluded to his marriage, and she

answered with an arch smile: "Oh, yes! I dare say I might guess very accurately. It would not

require Yankee ingenuity."

She examined the jewels, and, after giving an opinion as to their

superiority, turned to go, saying: "I want to see you a few moments before you leave the city. I am

going home immediately, and any time during the day, when you can

call, will answer."

He looked curious, glanced at his watch, pondered an instant, and

promised to call in an hour.