Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-05-17

ners being such as to attract
the gaze Of any unsophisticated
matrimonial adventurer.
Belle formed many acquain-
tances, although her father dis
approved Of it, and after spend
ing some four years in gayety
as she termed it--there ap-
peared on the scene of our lit
lie story, a young and flashing
gentleman, named Alfred Ain
wick, gifted with sufficient CAB
to make himself pleasant, and
besides having a very keen per-
ception, together with a good
English education; all combin-
ed set Ainwick off, in company
to an advantage. His witt
Gins were replete with variety,
and his conversation interest
ing by calculation, wherefore,
Belle, forming his acquain-
lance, became absorbed in his
forced demeanour. Now it so
happened, that in Bellies fir
tations, she had given Charles
Goodwin sufficient encourage
ment to retain him on her list,
though she had discarded him
on several occasions,-yet she
held out the false light, and
babe him-if not in words at
least in actions,to persevere.
But now circumstances alter'the
case; she falls desperately in
love with Ainwick, who by his
subtle tongue and avowals of
constancy, engaged the hand
of the fair flower. This be-
came known of course to God
win, who frankly accused her
of the perfdy which she had
practised on him; to all of
which she pleaded innocent.
Goodwin still continued
his visits, but they were not
now numerc is as formerly; for
the reason, as he said, that
Ainwick's manner and style
was assumed, and which to him
became intolerable.
On the other hand Ainwick
became more attentive, and was
scarcely seen elsewhere than in
Bellies presence. During this
period in the month Of August,
1909, Mrs. CASTOR was prostrat-
ed with typhoid fever, and af-
ter three weeks departed for
another world, leaving the fam
lily to mourn her loss. Now
that her mother was dead,
Belle became the especial OBJ
ject of her aunt's notice, who
had observed enough of Ain
wick's character to convince
her that he was deceitful, and
was sailing under false colors,
so she set about to array Belle
against him, but to no purpose,
as she was as adamant to the
entreaties Of her aunt; nor
would she stop to consider his,
past ! i { e-beleiving moth
ing said or insinuated deroga-
tory of his character. Love
being blind in all cases, it was
hardly to be expected that she
would depart from the general
course, though false, consequent
ly her aunt gave up all hope
to reclaim her from the threat
ened doom.
Belle and Ainwick were to be
married in February, 1911,
which time we have nearly ar
rived at; every preparation was
being made, when news reached
her Of the sudden death of her
sister, Mrs. Mansely. By this
sad news their wedding was
postponed until the fall. We
will now pass the intervening
space of time, and arrive at the
18th Of October. The mansion
of Mr.. CASTOR was Illuminated,
and all~was gay as a marriage
feast could be, save the old
man, who had rapidly declined,
occasioned by his wife and
child's death, and more lately
by Bellies persistency in mar
rying Ainwick. The clock
struck eight when the anxious
gaze of the guests was relieved
by the appearance of the bride
and groom, followed by a sim
gle bridesmaid and groomsman.
During the ceremony, while the
minister was pronouncing these
words, III any one present can
see any just cause why these
two should not be united in
the holy state of matrimony, let