The weekly standard., 1869-10-20
SELECTED STORIES.
In a Trance.

and my friend George Summers were
seated in one of the pretty arbors OF Victo.
ria Park, London, enjoying the fragrance OF
our cigars, and admiring the curious Chinese
houses, pagodas, and sweet beds OF flowers
for which that place is celebrated.
In truth, l must say we gave good deal
of our attention to the well-dressed, gay
Young ladies that firted by Us. Though
Summers was married man, he had an eye
for the beautiful, particularly for beautiful
woman.
There is a great difference" he'd say,
.. between admiration and love. We often
admire the fine figures and graceful manner
of woman, though we might be tar from
loving her. 1 love my little wife dearly
she is good, precious little soul; neverthe-
less, admire the queenly figures of those
aeartless coquettes- that captlVate but to
kill.n
"Yuu are severe on fine women" l said.
81 hope they have not Tilted you ?"
"Not exactly; but one would, only found
her out in time"
Just then splendid looking creature
passed us, leaning upon gentleman's arm.
Look, Summers, what a magnificent
man"
Yes he replied, knocking the ashes
from the end of his cigar, splendid to the
eve, but as souless as the Venus de Medici. :
"You are rather severe, my friend friend, / saw
her smile sweetly upon the gentleman"
"Yes; he is a wealthy old bachelor, and
she is going to marry his riches, and then
lead him sorry life"
l doubtedly shrugged my shoulders.
Light another cigar, and I'll tell you q
story, and then think you'll believe me,
said Summers, handing me his case. 81
must tell you that I was engaged to that
woman that has just passed, and the day o.
our marriage SET"
"Indeed! And what broke it off ?n said
I, in surprise.
~ died." said my friend, putting away al
his weed and looking like anything but 8
dead man.
"Died! You made wonderful resurrec
ton, then"
Wonderful, indeed. But you must lister
to my story"
swell, proceed"
ABOUT five years ago I came to London
having received lucrative government ap
pointment l had letter of introduction
to a Mr Townsend, who lived near Isling
ton. He had been government employee
but had retired on q snug pension. ], being
stranger in the city, very gladly accepted
his offer to board with his family
"Mr Townsend's family consisted of him
self, his son, rather a snobbish dissipateG
fop, and his daughter, then young CIR. o.
fifteen. | felt nothing in common with
young Townsend, so Ispent little of my tint
with him, and must say he spent little o.
his time with his family.
g was near forgetting Mrs. Townsend
who was fine, matronly looking woman
but rather fond of good living and fashion
able society. She had the misfortune o.
having sister married to poor baronet
and consequently looked upon herself as al
lied to the nobility, and fairly bored US abou
the delightful evenings she had at her sis
ter's, Lady Lackland's, with sir this and my
lord that
"Mr. Townsend was quiet. good soul
but did not seem to have proper regart
for his connections or dignity. So his wifi
thought, at least.
=" must now tell you about their daugh
ter Bertha. She was just budding into wo
manhood, and I am not surprised that he
parents dotted on her, for more lovely look
ing girl have never seen; but her fashiona
bic mother spoiled her, and brought her W
as heartless and silly as herself As you havt
sven her leaning upon the gentleman's arm
just gone by I need not describe her, bu
confess she was beautiful.
:" l was about twenty at the time, ant
thrown into the society of such girl, it i
no wonder that l fell desperately in Low,
with her. spent my salary in making he
presents, in going with her to balls and the
atres, and driving around the parks. Mrs
Townsend never objected to this, but if
.hinted at marriage, she put it off with tn
reply that Bertha was too young to think o
marriage yet As for Bertha herself, I reall,
think she loved me then-at least she oftel
told me so.
Bertha spent much of her time at he
aunt's- Her mother would say to me if
appeared uneasy at this:
You know, Mr.. Summers, Bertha will
meet such high society at Lady Lockland.
it will make refined lady of her,"
II have learned since and strongly sus
pected then, that her motive was to SCI
whether her beauty would captivate some
titled Parsonage.
"This kind of courtship went on for three
years, and Bertha every day became more
beautiful and my passion more intense. Ono
evening saw her driving out in barouch
with Lord Stocton. l watched them with
jealous eyes, and saw him speaking in a low
earnest manner to her, and, as they turned a
lonely corner, actually kissed her. went
home, my brain on fire, and in my frenzy
told Mrs. Townsend what had seen.
"She did not sympathize with me, but
rather seemed well pleased, and remarked /:
"What nice man Lord Stocktonis. I
met him the other evening at Lady Lock
lands, and-n
Madam, you'll drive me mad!" 1 inter
rupted. "He is rogue-he is gambler
he is old enough to be her father, and you
should not allow him to take such liberties
with Bertha.n
"Ispoke passionateiy, and arn zfE,iid
was little hard on poor old Stockton; but
when did you ever know lover to be ra-
tional However, she cut me short by as
suming all her dignity and informing me
that she could take care of her daughters
interest without my advice.
'sHere was an exposition, and yet 1 was
too infatuated to break off; however,
treated the mother and daughter with po
lite GOODNESS for some time. l must confes
that this did not break their hearts, though
really it was near breaking mine.
'Before the breach was healed, received
a telegram to the effect that my father wa
dying, and to hurry home. 1 did hurry a
fast as steam could carry me, and only al
rived in time to receive his parting benedit
ton. remained at home month, an
when returned the Townsends sympathI
edin my afiiction, and Bertha took an OF
portunity to apologize to me for her though
less Irritation with Lord Stockton. Nothin
could be handsomer than this, and the
mon of jealousy was satisfied; but ha7
since learned that they had heard before n
return of the fact that my father had b
oueathed to me one thousand pounds a ye
in government stocks.
"A few weeks before my return, Sir Jol
Lockland died suddenly of apoplexy, lea
inc to his wife and daughter only smi
annuity during the life of the former. tt
was a great blow to the pride of Mrs. Tow
send and to the helpless mother and daug
ter.
9After a family consultation, Mrs. Tow