The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-09-14

/ Cutler would cry. "Any one can see
that you win have the chance soon
enough.
We'll, them" said Belle on one of
these occasions, with a sudden gravity
of demeanor that made all her compan-
ions believe that She had really decided
the matter, ''then / viii tell you what
l think / will dor
''W hatP' exclaimed every one,
eagerly crowding about her, In their
anxiety to know Bellies preference.
I'm choose bothp' and Belle laughed
| gaYly at the disappointed group.
But in her own mind Belle was debat-
| ing the same question. She cOuldscarce-
/ ~ be blind - the fact that she was like
/ ly to be called on to decide between the
two brothers. With Henry she was
gay, ready for any frolic or mischief,
and found him such a willing participa-
| tor; though upon occasion he would re
veal plenty of good sterling sense, as
much, perhaps, rs Ashton, who, while
/ equally pleasant, was more reserved in
/ bis manners. Belle, according to her
varying mood, sometimes preferred one,
and sometimes the other, till she was
half-inclned to think she could never
choose.
One day while thinking over the mat
ter a sudden idea struck her. At first
/ she rejected it as utterly impossible, but
the more she pondered the more con-
vinced she was that she had now found
a way to make her decision. and she re-
/ sol we'd to watch carefully for any proof
of her own theory. This she did. and
/ grew more and more confirmed in her
/ belief; her intimate knowledge of Joe
| Richards, who was a distant cousin and
a lifelong confederate in every bit of
mischief or practical joke, much aiding
in her decision.
Therefore, when, toward spring,
/ Belle received a letter from each of the
/ brothers, each containing an avowal of
/ their love for her, she was not UMPIRE
| pared. Both were earnest, manly let
! tcrs, though differing in style as the
brothers differed in character. Henry's
was more lively and playful than Ash
toms, but in one respect they were
alike. Each stated that he knew of his
brothers feelings toward her, and that
they had agreed to write at the same
time, asking her to choose between
them, and pledging themselves that
the rejected one, whichever he
might be. would hencefolth regard
her as a dear sister, and harbor no i'll
feeling to her, or his more fortunate
brother!
"This," added Ashton, ''is perhaps
taking it too much for granted that one
of us may find favor in your eyes If
not, we will, at least endeavor to con
sole each other"
A quiZzical smile lowered round
Bellies mouth as she wrote her an
swer-answer, for she wrote but one,
and addressed it to the two brothers.
Listen, as she reads it over, half-aloud:
To Messrs. Henry and Ashton Kingsley;
Please accept my sincere thanks for your
kind and hattering notes. Having duly con-
accept both of you. | shall be happy to see
you tomorrow evening.
Yours, BELLE WINTERS.
Was there ever before such an an
swer written by a girl to- two offers of
marriage! Yet its oddity did not seem
to trouble Belle, who sprang lightly up
from her desk, and donning her outside
wraps quickly conveyed her letter to the
post
1t must be confessed, however, that
on the evening of the following day,
Belle grew decidedly nervous.
Suppose L am mistaken, after all, :"
she thought, chow shall l ever get out
| of the scrape? half wish had never
written that letter, but / never can do
anything like other girls She paced
her room excitedly for few moments,
then said aloud: - may as well make
myself presentable; perhaps some one
may come; though may have offended
past all forgiveness; at any rate, / will
be ready, and if worst comes to worst,
must put brave face on it, and turn
it all into jest"
Very Presentable'' she certainly
looked, though unusually pale, when a
half-hOur later, as she sat alone in the
parlOr, the servant announced Mr.
Kingsley
Where was the other br0therP Only
one entered, and if Belle were pale, he
was deathly white. No look of an ac-
cepted lover, but more that of a man who
had lost all he holds dear on earth, was
on his face, rs with a sort of desperate
courage he walked up to Belle who
bad risen silently to receive him.
For a moment he stood before her
without speaking, without looking at
her, then cried outimpetuously Belle,
Belle, can you ever forgive such decep-
ton? 1t seemed but Jest till your
note came, and then l realized in a mo-
ment what had risked, and how by my
folly had lost you"
Belle could not speak; the ready re-
partee or saucy jest which she usually
had at command failed her now, but she
shyly extended her hand. while she
smiled re-assuringly upon her lover
Belle! Do you mean it! Can you
pardon meP" he exclaimed, as he COW
cred the little hand with kisses.
Apparently Belle did mean it, and
some minutes passed in a blissful 81
! lence, before Mr.. Kingsley kindly in
quired: 'And how long have you known
of the deception, Belle? All the time,
or did Joe turn traitor?'
He was traitorous enough said
Beele, in her usual merry tones, elf, as
imagine, he was the originator of this
line plot against an unsuspecting maid
en- peace of mind. No, 1 did not know
all the time, and hardly know when
began to suspect that Henry and Ash
ton Kingsley were one and the same
person. By-the-by, which are youP''
she added, archly.
81 am both. My name is Henry Ash
ton Kingsley" was the reply.
$50 l imagined, for after I once had
a suspicion of the truth many things con-
firmed it. Fer instance, one day you
dropped a card on the table, and it had
II. A. Kingsley written on it. AnOth-
er day, when you came as Ashton, you
attended to something which had hap
pened when you were here the previous
week; though it was as Henry that
you had then been here. But tell me-"
she continued, ''what made you ever
think of thus personating two brothersP"
Il used often to do it at school," re-
piled Mr.. Kingsley. ut was COM
menced by my schoolfellows declaring
that in my different moods of grave or
gay, l was as unlike as if distinct BOYS,
after which they called me Henry when
lively, and Ashton when quiet, and l
used to take much delight in making
the two characters as unlike as possible.