Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30

know, that she likes him and is veXed be
cause he does not come forward. Well. yoI
see-of course may be mistaken, but
have sometimes thought that he may.
have seen him look as ii he was thinking o
it, though of course it is more than Beatrice
has got any right to expect. She's only go
herself and her good looks to give him, anG
he is a rich man. Think of it, Mr.. Bing
ham," and the old gentleman turned up hi.
eyes piously, 'just think what thing il
would be for her, and indeed for all of us, il
it should please God to send q chance like
that in her way; she would be rich for life
and such positionl But it is possible; one
never knows; he might take fancy to her.
At any rate, Mr.. Bingham, 1 think you
could cheer her up little; there is no need
tor her to give up hope yet"
Geoffrey burst into a short grim laugh.
The idea of Beatrice lauguishing for Owen
Davies, indeed, the irony or the whole posi-
tion, was too much for his sense oi
| humor.
Yes" he said, "I daresay that it might
be a good match for her. but 1 do not know
how she would get on with Mr.. Davies"
Get on! why, we'll enough, of course.
| Women are soft, and can squeeze into most
holes, especially If they are we'll lined. Be-
sides, he may be bit heavy, but think she
is pining for him, and it's pity that she
should waste her life like that. What, are
you going to bed3 Well, good night-good
| night"
GeOffrey did go to bed, but not to sleep.
For long while he lay awake, thinking.
The morrow was Whit Sunday, and day
that Geofrey had occasion to remember for
the rest of his life.
Not knowing where to 60, he strolled
| down to the beach, on which there was no
bod 10 ha e. l,oc hna oh
Bryngelly slept on Sundays. Presently,
rapidly, and, to all appearances, aimlessly,
and in it he recognized Owen Davies. He
was talking to himself while he walked,
and swinging his arm. Geoffrey stepped
aside to let him pass, and as he did so was
surprised and even shocked to see the
change in the man. His plump, healthy
looking face had grown thin, and wore q
half sullen, half pitiful expression; there
were dark circles round his blue eyes, oLce
so placid, and his hair would have been the
better for cutting. Geoffrey wondered if he
had had an illness. At that moment Owen
CHANGED to look round and saw him.
"How do you do, Mr.. Bingham?" he
said. "I heard that you were here. They
told me at the station last night. You see
this is small place and one likes to know
who comes and goes" he added as though
in excuse.
He walked on and Geofrey walked with
him.
"You do not look we'll, Mr.. Davies" he
said "Have you been laid upp'
"No, no." he answered, "I am quite
right; it is only my mind that is ILL"
1tIndeed," said Geofrey, thinking that
he certainly did look strange. "Perhaps
you live too much alone and it depresses
you"
Eyes, live alone because I can't help
myself. What is a man to do, Mr.. Bing-
ham, when the woman he loves will not
marry him, won't look at him, treats him
like dirt2"
"Marry somebody else," suggested
Geofrey.
"oh, it is easy for you to say that-you
have never loved anybody, and you don't
understand. I cannot marry anybody else.
I only want her."
"Her? Who?"
"Whol why, Beatrice-who else could
man want to marry If once he had seen her2
But she will not have me; she hates me-"
Really" said Geofrey.
"Yes, really, and do you know why7 Shall
I tell you why? will tell you," and he
grasped him by the arm and whispered
hoarsely in his ear: Because she loves you,
Mr.. Bingham"
"I tell you what it is, Mr.. Davies" said
Geoffrey, shaking his arm free, 81 am not
going to stand this kind of thing. You
must be off your head"
"Don't be angry with me-" he answered.
"It is true. I have watched her and know
that it is true. Why does she write to you
every week, why does she always start and
listen when anybody mentions your name7
Oh, Mr.. Bingham" Owen went on piteous-
ly, "be pitiful-you have your wife and lots
Of women to make love to if you wish-leave
me Beatrice. If you don't, think that
shall 60 crazed. have always loved her.
ever since she was a child. and now my love
grows faster and stronger every day, and
carries me away with it like a rock rolling
down hill. You can only bring Beatrice
to shame, but 1 can give her everything, as
much money as she wants, everything that
she wants, and 1 will make her good hus-
band; will never leave her side"
81 have no doubt that would be delightful
to her." answered Geoffrev; but does it not
strike you that all this is Just little un-
digniied2 These remarks, interesting as
they are, should be made to Miss Granger,
not to me, Mr.. Davies"
"I know" he said, "but I don't care; it
is my only chance, and what do 1 mind
about being undignifed? Oh, Mr.. Bingham,
1 have never loved any other woman. 1 have
been lonely all my days. Do not stand in
my path now. If you only knew what I have
suffered, how have prayed God night after
night to give me Beatrice, you would help
me. Say that you will help me. You are
one of those men who can do anything; she
will listen to you. If you tell her TO marry
me she will do so, and shall bless you my
whole life"
Geoffrey looked upon this abject appli- |
cant with the most unmitigated scorn. There |
is always something contemplate in the |
sight of one man pleading to another for as
sistance in his love affairs-that is a busi- |
ness which he should do for himself. How |
much greater, then, is the humiliation in |
volved when the amorous person asks the |
aid of one whom he believes to be his rival |
his successful rival-in the lady's affec- |
ton?
"Do you know, Mr.. Davies" Geoffrey |
said, 81 think that 1 have had enough Of |
this. am not in position to force Miss
Granger to accept advances which, accord
ing to your account, appear to be unwel-
come. But if get an opportunity will do
this: I will tell her what you say. You
really must manage the rest for yourself.
Good morning to you, Mr.. Davies"
He turned sharply and went while Owen
watched him go.
81 don't believe him." he groaned to him.
sell. "He will try to make her his lover.
Oh, God help mel cannot bear to think of
it. But if he does, and find him oat, let
him be careful. 1 will ruin him; yes, I will
ruin himl have the money and I can do
It. All, he thinks me 8 fool; they all think
me fool; but haven't been quiet all these
years for nothing. 1 can make a noise if
necessary. And if he is a villain, God will
help me to destroy him. L have prayed to
God, and God will help me-
Then he went back to the castle. Owen
Davies was type of the class of religious