Middletown transcript., 1881-11-18

season. She was then visiting the
place with her aunt, and whether she
was conscious of a nascent pencbdnt for
our hero, or for some other reason, she
had forborne mentioning to her mother
having met young gentleman by the
sea side. with such dear corsalr ex-
preston and such sweet mustache !
OF course Bellenden did not go into
town any more. Why should he +? He
had no clients there-and a suit here
which must not be suffered to go by
default. What duets at the piano !
what readings out Of the same book !
what strolls in the garden /! what walks
by moonlight what rides at sunset
It was fairy existence. But in the
sweetest cup of pleasure S1Tgt dmeer9
aliQuid-and coiling at the bottom Of
his beaker of bliss lay serpant, the
thought that all this fairy scene would
soon vanish like a summer day-dream.
/ With the birds anti flowers, the Grey
lings would be gone-he had but three
months of enjoyment before him.
Three months he had not four and
! twenty hours.
The next forenoon Bellenden was
strolling in the garden, waiting for
Miss Greyling to join him, when the
omnibus stopped at the door, and out
of that omnibus-a vision Of dread
alighted MI Bellepden, senior.
'sYou here, sir - exclaimed the
young man.
9 You here, sir p cried the father.
GLOW came you to think Of opening the
house ? Did you get word [ was com
ing ?"
No, sir but l thought you
wouldn't dislike it,
"Not at all not at all You've
saved me deal Of trouble. Servants
here ?''
Yes, sir
''Well, well, let's 60 in out Of the
sun, . replied Mr.. Bellenden, impati-
emily.
Zone moment, sir. | have some
friends staying with me, very respect
able people, assure you, sir, the Grey
lings. do you know them ?'' he added,
anxiously.
"No, but I've heard the name.
GIVE kept you waiting" cried Miss
Greyling RUNNING down the steps of
the piazza in charming walking-dress,
.sbut I'm quite ready now." She
stopped suddenly and blushed on pre-
ceiying a stranger.
My father, Miss Greyling.
"I'm very happy to see you, sir.
Wont you walk into the house
Very hospitable," muttered Bell
enden, seeing that it is my own
house"
"AIiss Greyling, said young Bellen-
den, nervously, " am very sorry that
| must deny my self the pleasure of
walking with you, but my father, I
excuse me"
go, certainly, certainly! Don't
make any apologies. Icould't think of
going now. Pray, walk in, sir. You'll
dine with US, hope, sir p
''I rather think shall, young lady,"
answered Bellenden. senior, coolly.
"You're dirty and tired, father,''
said young Bellenden, who dreaded a
discovery. Won't you come up into
my room"
"No, sir, . replied Bellenden senior,
peremptorily. want to see how the
drawing-room looks. With what taste
your poor mother, had she been alive,
would have furnished it. y
And tossing his hat on the table, he
walked into the long drawing-room
followed by his son and Miss Greyling.
&c My father and mother, Mr.. Bell
enden, said the young lady getting be-
fore him, and performing the ceremony
of introduction.
MI Greyling had fallen asleep un-
consciously on the ottoman, and sank
from sitting to a recumbent position.
He started up rubbing his eyes.
Bless me what solecism Pm
afraid l was vulgar enough to dose.
Mr.. Bellenden I'm very happy to see
you. My wife. Pray, sit down, sir
"Thank you, sir, 1 prefer walking
about replied Mr.. Bellenden, senior.
Curse his impudence," he muttered
to his son. Sleeping with his boots on
my velvet ottoman. Asking me to be
seated in my own house."
Gle is rather eccentric, . whispered
young Bellenden, but the most
amiable of men. My father" he said
in a low tone, addressing Greyling lis
odd-yery peculiar-but you mustn't
mind him.
"You will dine with US en- fGnaille,"
said Mrs. Greyling very amiable and
polished old lady, by the way.
g intend to, madam, certainly"
replied Bellenden, senior, who was
strolling about the room, examining
the furniture, and occasionally chang
ing a chair, table or vase. "Trav-
: cling makes one hungry, and as the
country produces the same effect on
| you, shall make no apology for order
: ing dinner" And he rang the bell.
A smart man servant answered it.
Dinner directly, Sam," said Bell
enden, senior.
james, sir,' replied the man, with
dignity, and looking with an inquiring
| air to, to Mr. Greyling.
"Serve the dinner, if it is ready,
| James," said Mr.. Greyling, smothering
t his indignation.
5 "Confound his impudence," :" said he
to himself. docs he presume to give
! orders to my servants ?''
E g Hang his insolence ~ whispered