The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1876-09-22
Selected Story.



James Brown sat in the cars, bound foI
Malvern, absorbed in deep rcyerie, and :
pleasant one it was, too. He was lover
engaged also, and he was soon to lead hi;
bride to the altar. He was now journey
ing to the home other who had filed, auc
would fill he hoped, i'll the happy years tt
come, many Of his hours with "silker
spIendor." is it, then, to be wondered tha
his thoughts, his day-dreams were profound
ly delightful?
'''Malyern," cried ont the conductor.
The conductors announcement startled
him from his rcverie.
"Here already" murmured James,
"Why, the time has passed very quickly
He removed his satcheI, cane, and um
brelIa from the rack, vacated his scat, and
when the train stopped stepped off on to
the platform. A large crowd was assem-
bled at the station awaiting the arrival OF
the train, for Malvern was quite flourish
ing town, and he was making his way
through the concoursc of people as rapidly
as he could, when a pair Of arms were
clasped around his neck, and soft voice
whispered.
90, George I'm SO glad you've come !
and then almost as suddenly added, 80.
'.-=- y-t.. pardon, sir, ] W. made a great
mis- l. !
ful."
Before the astonished James Brown
could make reply, the young female with
the fair lovely face sutfused with bushes
had disappeared in the crowd, and was
quickly beyond his sight.
''By jove!" he thought, Chat young |0
man must have taken me for her lover
whom, suppose, she expected would come
by this tram. Why, bless me, it the fun
niest adventure have ever met with
The whole affair struck him as being en-
tirely ludicrous, and he stood still for a
moment and gave vent t. very hearty
laugh.
He moved on again, got clear OF the
crowd, and then gazed along the platform
where q row of various sizes and styles 9
vehicles were waiting to convey the arrlv
ais to different points in the town.
"Minnie promised to meet me here wit
the carriage, but see neither her nor II
Probably something has delayed her; q
,.,,t,, T,II cit down and wait few Min
utes longer"
Ten minutes passed away, but nelthe
his Iady-loye nor the vehicle appeared
"She must be i'll" he murmured, glan@
ING at his watch; "but it's strange sh
didn't order the carriage to come for me
even if she couldn't come herself"
He called cabman to him. "Do 70
know where Mr.. Rangton resides ?" be ask
ed. The man replied in the affirmative
and James ordered him to drive there
quickly as he could.
The vehicle stopped II front Of stated,
handsome residence, and james Brow
sprang out Of the conveyance, walked RAJ
idlv up the gravcled walk to the door an
rang the bell, which was almost immed
ately answered BY servant.
us Miss Rangton indisposed, or is theI
any sickness in the family?" cried jane
Gan are quite well, sir, replied the d.
nestle, "and Miss Rangton cannot see yol
and bade me give you this note" 81
thrust il INTO his hand, and then shut Il
door, as the saying il, IL his face.
James, bewiIdered and astonished, stoo
there, making no movement, but haFin
the appearance of person who is nor rea
ly aware whether he is in his right sens,
or not.
Cannot see me?" he at last admitte
"What have / done to offend her? VIII
is the meaning of this strange action
hers 2" He seemed to have forgotten Il
dainty, pink-tinted missive which the ser
ant had given him, but suddenly recollet
ing it, he tore open the envelope, aud res
these sarcastic lines.
"bLR BRowN-DEAR Sir il was d
aware, until quite recently, that your hea
was large enough to entertain an afectic
tor two women at the same time. Such
ing the case, must decline the share
love you have been wont to lavish upon n
as, in affairs Of the heart, | am very s
Rsh, and not for a moment could | Thu
ot looking 70 rival. Let all, hencetort
mat has passed between lis be forgotte