Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-05-20


rose. How came you to know my manner
asked Bernice Melrose, as she coldly
regarded Mr.. Welton.
"Why, you see, my friend Guy We'll
ton has spoken it SO often that feel ac-
quainted with the name, at least" ex-
planned Mr.. Welton.
"And SO you are friend of Guys
He is friend of mine, Also" :
"Then we are both friends of Guys.
Well, there is my card;" and he handed
her one on which was written the name
of one of Guys most intimate aaquaint-
ances.
clam pleased to know you, Mr.. Estey:
I have heard Guy mention you often.
The boy seemed to regard you very
kindly"
"The boy humphl The idea Of call
ng her promised husband boy
Wonder what Guy would say if he heard
her p
1t was pretty cottage at which the
lady alighted, but it was neither luxu-
rious nor splendid.
do you live alone, Miss Melrose ?"
asked Mr.. Welton, politely.
"Oh, mol I live with my mother"
OF course that settled all doubts of
her identity in Mr.. Welton's mind.
"And SO that is Guys girl |" muttered
Mr.. Welton, as he drove along. 81
supposed she was chit of about seven
teen by the way he spoke of her but
she is twenty-fiv if she is day and
she called my dignified son boy. She
doesn't care very deeply for him, that's
plain. I don't see how it is that some
men will lose all the sense they ever
did have on account of some woman.
Now fatter myself that understand
the fair sex pretty we'll, and oil this
Bernice Melrose's deceit is perfectly
plain to me but Guy is clean bewitched
about her. She must be the same per-
son, for the description tallies exactly.
Let's see graceful form, milk and roses
complexion. blue eyes and lovely golden
eurls-only she wears golden braids,
now that Guy isn't here expect the
curls made her look younger; but in
spite of beauty can always see beneath
the surface, and this very charming
Bernice hasn't lost her heart; and yet
my misguided son thinks she loves
him."
The next day Mr.. Welton renewed
this chance acquaintance by calling on
some pretext at the cottage.
''She is kind to her invalid mother if
shs is an accomplished coquette," he
mused, as he wended his way home
ward. "She is the Bernice Melrose,
sure enough, for her mother called her
that ; and T wonder who Burnie is,
whom the old lady was wishing for?"
Now that Mr.. Welton had begun the
siege he kept it up in real earnest !; and
by-and. by he was an almost daily visitor
at the cottage.
"Tm half tempted to fall in love with
her myself" he thought "but it is too
bad for Gay, he seemed so much liz
earnest; yet it is better for him to have
his eyes opened before it is too late.''
"What an agreeable person Mr.. Estey
Aud he reminds me so much of
Guy" said Bernice, in contemplating
her admirer.
Nearly month had elapsed before
Mr.. Welton had matured the plans he
had laid to prove the unworthiness of
Guys afianced.
'I'll write her a proposal OF marriage,
and her answer shall be the convincing
proof will take to Guy. Ah, women.
are tickle creatures n he sighed, as he
sealed note to Bernice.
1t was with some impatience that he
awaited her answer but he had not
very long to wait, for soon it came in
dainty pale-blue envelope, which he
hastlly opened ana read:
DEAR Mr.. EsTEY: The avowal con-
tanned in your note surprises while it
pleases me, and if you love the under
signed as truly as you profess, she will
be only too happy to accept the honor
You have offered her. Yours wholly,
"BERNIoE MELRosE.
"P. 8. I have an explanation to make
which sincerely trust will not change
your regard for B. M"
"Well, we'll What shall do now ?
II Guy were not my only child would
just drop the matter where it is, for
knowing as I do the treachery of Ber-
nice, I would give as much as Guy to
feel that she is honest. But am GER
tain she is older than Guy, and should
make more suitable husband for her.
But won't marry any one who would
deceive my boy SO Bernice, you have
lost both of u.s.