The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-06-05
A Bachelors Story.
ICONCLUDED. |

|
f A Bachelors Story. -
eh CONCLUDED.
Dear, pretty, gentle, Beatrice | laid
| down Mrs. French's letter, received that
mOrning-the eighth anniversary OF my so
ljourn in Silverton-and thought of the lit
tie child who had wound round my affections
the little Child now woman, and, turning
again to the letter, | read for the third tune
the wOrds-"A young man named George
Stanley has lately been very much at our
house. He is particular in his attentions
to Beatrice, and | should not be surprised
if something came ot it before loDg.' Dear
pretty B >atrice So she was beginning to
learn the old story, which if forever repeat
ing Itself. aud forever sounding as new as
| when It's first whispers were heard 10 Eden.
was very glad for her, very glad that she
should be made happy but knew the
! gulf was widening between U.S. l felt she
was UNNECESSARILY removed from me now.
With the gladness Tor her, there came
therefore sadness for myself Oh, Bea-
trice. may you be very happy; and may
you never know the misery | have known,
Of being alone in the world
thought often about George Stanley,
wondering what sort OF fellow he was,
whether be worthy of my pretty sister !;
but l heard nothing more of him from the
Trenches for several months.
At length, determined to go to Wilton
Abbey. and see for myself how things were
going on. | had not, as yet, accepted any
of the pressing invitations they had sent
me, knowing | could GO any time | had
allowed months aud years-nearIy three
to slip away, without having seen my pref
ty Beatrice. There was to be ball in the
neighborhood, and [ wished to see her
there, to see her in the beauty of her
youth and happiness; so l made up my
mind to 60 to it with them.
| 1t was a days Journey almost from Sill.
verton to the Abbey. ! have reason TO re-
member it well. Two elderly gentlemen
only were in the carriage with me; and l.,
being occupied with a. newspaper, paid 10
attention 10 them until, in turning it over,
my ear caught the word STANLEY -what
Stanley :? | wondered and then l put
down the paper, aud looked out Of the win
dow.
Yes" | heard one say to the other,
with laugh; 1.-THE Stanleys, of Wilton,
were always wild, improyident lot.
But isn't there an heress on the tap
Is inquired the other.
! Oh, dare say; two or three would
make no difference to George Stanley |!
he IL spend her money, break her heart,
and marry again within the year!"
! And l, sitting there, heard this Bea-
lrlce, my pretty one, Beatrice, my darling,
must save you My companions said no
more on the subject, but that George Stan
ley was to be at the ball that night and the
helress too. Meantime had enough to do
In thinking of what had been revealed to
| me.
Then saw her-saw her in her airy
white dress, with a wreath Of ferns upon
her sunny hair, with the same sweet smile
upon her merry face, the same ringing
tones IN her gay young voice. If she was
pretty as a child, she was much more so
now with her beauty radiant in early wom-
anhood. On. how l longed to wrap my
arms around her, to press the golden head
upon my shoulder, and shield her with a
fathers love and care from every trouble
that might dash the cup Of pleasure from
her Ind She gave me the warmest well
come, looking into my face with her trust
tul blue eyes; and / knew she was still
Beatrice to me, and | was still her old
brother Benediek.
Mrs. French and | had long talk be-
tore | saw Beatrice from her / learned
that MIR. Stanley was apparently attached
to Beatrice, but as yet he had spoken no
definite word, and that Beatrice was begin
ming to take his conduct to heart
We were waiting in the hall for Mrs.
French; the carriage was at the door, /
was fastening the glove on Beatrice's little
hand, when said, looking at her: "Some.
body will be there to- night.
felt the hand | held tremble; but she
meeting my eyes with hers, saw that her
secret was known, and did not reply. /
noticed how ner otner hand held the table
near which we were standing how her
breath came and went, and | knew she
loved him, loved him as only woman can
love her first love. sst ~ s
Il beard it in the train, Beatic-heard
he would be there. You know whom /
mean?'' 55
/ Her eyes dropped, and she bent her head
IN assent. Then Mrs. French was heard on
the stairs, and Beatrice looked quietly up,
saying hastily, i am glad you will see
hmm. want you to know him."
Certainly George Stanley had every thing
III appearance to recommend him, and
winning manner and pleasing yoice even
1 could not help noticing what we'll
matched pair they made as l watched them
Waiting together; yet hated him hated
his false smile, hated his handsome face
and figure; hated him because he had won
Beatrice 8 love, and was unworthy of it.
That night he asked her to be his wife
that night they we're engaged. But |
would save her yet. She should never
marry him il could prevent it.
| told Phillip and his wife of the CONVEX
sation had heard in the train: The sub
ject was investigated; and though there
appeared 10 be some slight foundation for
the stigma cast upon the Stanleys generals
y. George had years ago given up his wild
ways, aud was considered a hiehlv respee