The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-12-13
THE TWO BACHELORS.
PART 1.
rFrom Chamhers, Journal. !

had Surged In upon us during Lne Winter
months, rented between us small shoot
ing in the Western Highlands, with the
view of recruiting our wasted energies
in pastlme of which we were both very
fond. l admired Ferrars passionately.
He was fine, handsome fellow, with
yellow hair and blonde mustache, and
possessed the gentlemanly manners and
easy flow of conversation which L es-
teemed above all things. But my at
tachment to Jack was no mere passing
admiration OF his brilliant parts and
fascinating manners; it dated as lar
back as the days when we were Doys at
school, and had gune on in an unlnter-
rupted flow ever since, strengthened 'Dy
the test of time. We had, moreover,
numberless things in common, among
the most important of which was-we
were both confirmed bachelors; in good
truth, bachelors proud of the name
bachelors who never intended to be any
thing but bachelors, and who took
peculiaN pleasure in saying SO, ana Ia
Yowing allegiance to each other IN
manner that would have done credit TO
the Corsican brothers.
IL was therefore with brilliant ant1el-
pations of the delight we were to expert
ence in each others society, that we
| found ourselves the occupants OF pretty
villa on the outskirts OF little outland-
ism place in the Highlands, far removed
from all friends and acquaintances.
With sigh of relief, and a delightful
feeling OF freedom, we wheeled our
chairs into the open bow window ON the
night of our arrival, and lighting our
cigars, sat down to enjoy the really beau
tiiul scenes before us. In the foreground
Law our own smoothly cut lawn and rec
tangular flower beds, with the moonlight
falling in pale, bright bars over the sleep
ing flowers; and beyond, the silver loch,
whence we could distinctly hear the
| light laugh of some pleasure seekers, as
they rowed slowly homeWards; While
above the loch the hills rose in dark ma
iestic outline against the pale beauty of
the sky. Jack, as apropos TO the scene,
had been repeating as best he could,
| between the Whit, of his cigar, Lord
| Byrors Lake Leman; and an animated
discus ssion, which nad afterward arisen
ON the merits and demerits of that much
\ maligned poet, was suddenly interrupt
ed by a burst of the finest music L had
ever heard.
| 1t was splendid soprano voice, ac-
companied by the guitar, singing the Old
pathetic Scottish song, "Auid K0Dln
| Gray" The expression thrown into the
voice was simply exquisite. When the
snatched his cigar from his lips, leaned
forward in a preathless, listening atti-
tude. as if afraid TO lose single Vibra-
lion, and did not move again until the
sonp had ceased. | felt strangely af-
lecGed myself. l had often listened TO
the same song before, but never with The
soul-thrilling of tonight. AS The last
cadence died away, borne over the silver
water to the dark hills, it seemed to
me as ii it were an Angels whisper
over the death-bed of enid.
The sounds proceeded from the open
ldrawing-room windows OF the villa next
our own; and when at last they ceased,
Jack. resuming his cigar in the most
nrosaio fashion, remarked: "By Jovel
| That was good singing, Bob. This is bet
Ter than "a box at the opera, eh. old fel-
lowT
"Its the finest singing, without eXcep-
lion. | ever listened to-" answered. Il
hope l won't meet the possessor OF such
an exquisite voice."
s,What an absurd fellow you are
Wby?" asked Jack, blowing long cur
of smoke out OF the window.
"Oh. because, ii she's pretty, feel as
lit | should iall in love with her."
Jack WINGED at this betrayal Of weak.
"Pshaw, Harding, don't be an idiot
Ten TO .one she's an old wretch, with
sunken Jaws, and powder enough on hei
lace to last Lord Chiet Justice wig fol
six months"
II almost hope she is y retur ned, "fol
then my heart won't run such a chance
of being captured"
"Your a con7ummate fool, Harding
was the tiattering encomium OF my irienC
Ferrars."
"Sorry you think so, jack" l said
.sbut fool or no fool, il that's a pretty
yuung girl, wouldn't give sixpenct
, ior your own chances of retaining youl
bachelor notions much longer, Jack Fer
rars.'
leaned forward, smiling. to catch c
, impse of his expression i'll the din
/ ghL. A naughty curl was on his lip
ami look Uf scorn in~hiS blue eyes
which disappeared with ludicrous RAJ
idity as soon as ne observed 1 was raj
lying him.
"Ah, Bob, no fear of that" he said
"you and al e too jolly together to care
} about pretty girls, however fascinating
else we'd have been married loni
ago."
ii begin to think so, Jack" returned
| "and, upon my woro, l often wonde
how d fellow like you, upon whom scores
, bdNO tuCl
envious eyes, was never caught"
81 was just going to make the same
remark about you," said Jack, with
laugh, as he stroked his handsome nous
tacae.
1T seems to me we're couple of ex
tremely clever fellows" l answered
rising.
"We're couple of extremely LUCKY
fellows, at any rate, to have safely es
capped all the snares and destinations
| laid for u.s." returned Ferrars, shrug
ging his broad shoulders, and looking
The personifcation of happy bache.
lerhoOd as he thus disburdened himsel
of his anti-matrimonial notions. "Bu
what say you to bit of supper, old boy
1t is getting late."
lagreed, and we both descended to thu
dining-ro ON. Mrs. Mason. the worthy
housekeeper, had lit fire in honor o
our arrival, and the dying embers nov
, cast dark red glow on the walls, max
ing decidedly comfortable appearance
= Notwithstanding it was a fine autumi
night. When we turned up the gas,
coy little supper laid out for two wa
' displayed, and the wine and fruit VI
had been using still stood on the side
, board. Never was there two happier
, iollier, or more amiable bachelors tha
/ Ferrars and that night, as We sat chat
ting over our walnuts and elaret, am
I a..UU