Beulah - Page 331/348

"And if he had any penetration he might perceive that the avoidance

was intended. I am tired of his frequent visits and endless

harangues, and he might see it if he chose." She looked rather

impatient.

Mrs. Asbury had sealed her letter, and, approaching the rug where

Beulah stood, she laid her soft hand on her shoulder, and said

gently: "My dear child, do not think me officious, or prompted by mere idle

curiosity, if I ask, Do you intend to reject him?"

"Why, ma'am, I have rejected him once, and still he forces his

society upon me. As to staying at home to see him, I won't do it."

Mrs. Asbury seemed surprised, and said smilingly: "Upon my word, Beulah, you seem fastidious, indeed. What possible

objection could you find to Hugh Leonard? Why, my dear, he is the

best match in the city."

"I would about as soon think of marrying the doctor's armchair,

there."

Beulah went to her own room and put on her bonnet and cloak. Charon

very rarely attended her in her rambles; he had grown old, and was

easily fatigued; but this afternoon she called to him, and they set

out. It was a mild, sunny evening for winter, and she took the

street leading to her guardian's old residence. A quick walk soon

brought her into the suburbs, and ere long she stood before the

entrance. The great central gate was chained, but the little side

gate was completely broken from its hinges, and lay on the ground.

Alas! this was but the beginning. As she entered she saw, with

dismay, that the yard was full of stray cattle. Cows, sheep, goats

browsed about undisturbed among the shrubbery which her guardian had

tended so carefully. She had not been here since he sold it; but

even Charon saw that something was strangely amiss. He bounded off,

and soon cleared the inclosure of the herd which had become

accustomed to grazing here. Beulah walked slowly up the avenue; the

aged cedars whispered hoarsely above her as she passed, and the

towering poplars, whose ceaseless silvery rustle had an

indescribable charm for her in summers past, now tossed their bare

boughs toward her in mute complaining of the desolation which

surrounded them. The reckless indifference of tenants has deservedly

grown into a proverb, and here Beulah beheld an exemplification of

its truth. Of all the choice shrubbery which it had been the labor

of years to collect and foster; not a particle remained. Hoses,

creepers, bulbs--all were destroyed, and only the trees and hedges

were spared. The very outline of the beds was effaced in many

places, and, walking round the paved circle in front of the door,

she paused abruptly at the desolation which greeted her. Here was

the marble basin of the fountain half filled with rubbish, as though

it had been converted into a receptacle for trash, and over the

whole front of the house the dark glossy leaves of the creeping ivy

clung in thick masses. She looked around on all sides, but only ruin

and neglect confronted her. She remembered the last time she came

here, and recalled the beautiful Sunday morning when she saw her

guardian standing by the fountain, feeding his pigeons. Ah, how

sadly changed! She burst into tears, and sat down on the steps.

Charon ran about the yard for some time; then came back, looked up

at the somber house, howled, and lay down at her feet. Where was the

old master? Wandering among Eastern pagodas, while his home became a

retreat for owls.