The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-10-11
LAST OF THE BEvERLEYs

In a remote country region, rendered in winter almost inaccessible by the over- foYing of two neighbsring rivers, stood at the beginning of this century a house called B,,hwell hall
 Even now, sltnoash the sound of the railway whistle reaches the spot, ii migh, safely challenge most places in England for thoroughgoing seclusion, while there are dismal elements enough and to spsre in the mists that rioat up. ghost like across the river meadows, the high and unkempt fences feathered at the top by signihc mt willows and alders, and the many monotoncus lanes that intersec, this region Wholly impossible in we, seasons except by boats. which are IT good and sober earnest put in frequent requisition by the farmers and other in- haoitants around, these lanes are at tne best of times SO full of ruts as to try the fore of the mos, highly-paiented car riage- springs. Suttr It some sevent, years from this year of 1884 and it will be found natural enough that some surprise was felt in the neighborhood when the Lady G'iselda Venner accepted the hand of Humphrey Beverley, O, Boutwell, hall.
 But her father, L,rd Westerly, with more children on his hands than he knew what to do with. and with means scarcely equal to his position, was not sorry to graft one daughter on to that of a t.irl, wealthy eommoner like Humphrey E .v- erley, especially as the E :verleys could boast of an indisputably good pedigree. the title deeds of B)thweil Park going back to the days of the Plantagene,s.
 Lady Griselda was one of a bevy of beautiful sisters, and not the least ambi- tious among them; but the objects she sought were admiration, with an unlim ited license to do whatever she listed :; these granted, and she installed sovcr- eign lady of her own will. she did not particularly insist upon rank and an enor- nous establishment as necessary to the salvation of her ease of mind
 For her first few seasons Lad, Griselda Venner had shrugged her shoulders at marriage. Her f1iftations had been many and intoxicating, but her head was never for moment in dangtr of being thwarted in its schemes by her heart. The beau tiful eyes, that took away both the heads and hearts of her lovers, never lost a point in the game she loved 10 play; and she played Il, as will be seen, to the end.
 Lord Westeriey and family were down at one of their country houses, some dcz.n or so miles from E ,thwell hall, when Lady Gnselda met Humphrey Beverley for the flrst time. It was at ball, and his warm adm ration, more apparent and unsoph sticated than that to which she was accustomed. gave her a new sensa- non. The acquaintance was prosecuted Lady Griselda sisters teased her abou, her country admirer, and there were. ot course, rumors of rival, to whom Hu:. Pfr y had sf own some attention. Then came a heavenly August day when the Wes,erley party, went by invitation, to pic-nl at the hall. Every one raved abou. its romantic solitude, is pannelled rooms. the primitive gates m some of the passages a.t landings, the family DOT traits. and the silver and old ch,na that appeared m abundance when the profuse luncheon Hu nphrey had provided for his guests was brought out under the trees, as well as at the equally profuse tea that awaited them later on m the dining room. The gay party, pleased
 'sNsA h''~h anu unutu2 Tn their handsome host a romantic variety from the type of men with whom they were most familiar, used to court and London ways, praised all they saw with well-bred ex.ravagance and in truth there was much that deserved admira- ton.
 IL was not grand place, but it was very charmiGg. The orchards laden with fruit were sight to see, and the grounds aboa. the house were decorated with pea cocks and griffins and fancy arbors, and shapes of many descriptions cut out in box and ye~. The quaint garden too was perfect of its kind, complete with dial and rockery work, old fashioned flowers richly colored, as August i lowers mus. always be, regiment 0. sna,ls in the box bord- CTS, and nbbon grass with no blades alike. Humphrey made an admirably attentive host, and he was so great favoii,e tha, until late in the day he saw far less of Lsdy Griselda than had become usual Tn their recent meetings.
 It gave her leisure :o observe his pop ularity with others. Many of the guests. although of the immedia ate nei gh borhood, were strangers to Lldy Griselda, for the hfSa OdA hNtC al tuok ItuC ln Sloughshire, and she soon perceived there was no lack of C clndidates for the honor of presiding at Both we'll, and that by all the laws of prob ability and vanity of man that post would not be left much longer vacant. Her father, her sisters, her fel- ow-guests were enthusiastic in praise of the hall and its surroundings, and why should she not take it at their valuation ! Others coveted the prize; there would be pleasure in disappointing them all and secuiin il to herself and husband like Humphrey, unused to any save country ways. would surely interfere but little with her freedom
 He and she were the last couple to re- turn to the house, after par:ing stroll through the shrubberies, and as they fingered in the hall her nosegay that he had gathered for her fell from her con- niving hand, and she must needs sit on the lowest step of the staircase, and with hax x,Arv aon 1;~