The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-28
A Castle in Spain,
From Maverly,g Magazine. }

|
one drawback 10 this delightful chateau
en- Espagne." and that tremendous obsta-
! Gle was Miss Beatrice Grandcourt Beving-
l ton; the alternate joy and despair of her
| grandmother's heart.
1T is no use arguing or commanding
| or persuading," said Mrs. Bevington TO
! herself with a sigh. II she won't, she
won't, so il is just so much breath wasted
| TO try either way"
Now, the plain facts Of the case are
/ these. Mrs. Beyington had that morning
received a letter from an old friend-a
| friend whom she had not see for years,
| in fact, since she was 20 and he Is. Can
you guess why? A misunderstanding, a
girls hasty action, mans wounded pride
and parting. Forty-fve years had
| elapsed and now he had written TO say
that hisgrandson was visiting in the
| permission TO call. His grandson! She
could hardly realie that now he was old.
nearly TO- in fact; TO her he had always
| appeared as in days of yore.
| You. Of course, can fathom Mrs. Bev-
! ingtons plans that these two young per-
| sons should marry.
And Beatrice, her darling, dearer even
| than her own children had been. with
| her naughty. impulsive. loving spirit.
| whose life was like an April day, smiles
and tears-would her life also be spoilt
| by hasty action which tendency she in
herited from her grandmother and faith
| err?
After a great deal OF thought Mrs.
| Bevington determined to say nothing
whatever TO Beatrice either about the ex-
| pecJed guest. his grandfather. or her own
wishes, hopes. and fears.
| the guest was to arrive in time for din
/ ner. Beatrice looked in amazement at
| her grandmother as she anxiously asked
her what she intended 10 wear that even
| ing.
is anyone coming. grandma?" asked
! Beatrice, little thinking of the plan that
was being Matched by that stately, dig
nified lady.
Mrs Whitby and the Doctor" replied
| Mrs. Bevington.
The afternoon dragged YEARLY away
The heat was so intense as TO make walk
ing or driving an impossibility, and Mrs
Bevington had not the liking for the
| woods possessed by Beatrice. who disap-
peared after lunch. and would not be
seen until after dinner time.
AS it grew cooler Mrs. Bevington walk
ed slowly down to the forest road. She
sat down to rest on the pretty little seat
that had been put up for Beatrice. and
which she called her bower.
AS she sat there resting and dreaming
the clear, dulcet tones of Beatrics's voice
struck her ear. with the accompaniment
of a mans voice which sounded altogether
strange to her.
"One of the chld's friends thought
| her grandmother with an indulgent smile.
Beatrice was great favorite with the
| superior sex.
She rose from her seat as the speakers
approached her retreat and leisurely ad-
vanced to meet them; but, to her horror
and amaement instead of seeing some
familiar form. she saw a tail, handsome
stranger actually catch her own grand
daughter, Miss Beatrice Grandcourt Bev-
Ington, in his arms and kiss her in
way that made Mrs Bevington feel. in
spite OF her anger, Indignation, and dis
gust. what the boys call "chokey."
'Good-by, my darling he whispered in
caressing tone. 81 shall see you this
evening"
AT what time shall 1 expect your" ask
ed Beatrice.
ANY time between and TO-" he replied,
and with more caressing words and sweet
looks they parted. he going back through
Mrs. Bevington sat down, feeling quite
faint. Was this how ner castle in Spain
was to end-to burst like bubble in the
air?
She sat there for an hour or more, and
then arose and walked slowly home. I'm
a silly old woman she thought TO her
self as she mounted the stairs to her
room. "to have laid such plans"
When Mrs. Bevingtou walked into the
drawing-room to receive her expected
guests no one would nave guessed that a
small tragedy had happened not two short
hours ago. She was dressed as usual, in
black. with a touch of rare old lace a
the neck and sleeves. which her beautiful
white hair, piled hiSh up on her stately
head, framed her sweet face like a halo.
Mr.. John Trevor Trenholm" announc-
ed the butler as he threw open the door.
Mrs. Bevington advanced to greet him,
looked, gasped, then looked again. and
for once forgot her composure. She sank
almost fantng on a chair beside her.
while Jack Trenholm frantically rang the
bell for a servant and famed her with his
handkerchief
What is the matter, grandma" asked
Beatrice, hastily entering the room
On perceiving the figure bending over
her grandmother. she started. Mrs. Bev-
ington looked at Jack and tried to speak
while he and Beatrice both appeared
guilty.
You should have told her more care
fully" said Beatrice looking a little re-
proachfully at Jack as she spoke. Her
grandmother was dear TO her.
Il have told her nothing" replied he.
why. my dear girl. l have only just ar
rived"
Both looked more guilty and puzzled
than ever. What could be the matter?
Are you the grandson OF my old friend.
John Trenholm" asked Mrs. Bevington,
family.
Yes" replied Jack
WAS it you l saw kiss Beatrice this
afternoon?'
This question was decidedly embarrass-
ing. Jack colored. while Beatrice loozed
ready to cry Jack braced himself up for
the final struggle.
Yes Mrs. Beyington, II was. I have
a confession to make to both you and
Beatrice. who. until this moment never
knew that I in any way knew OF you.
When my grandfather learned that I was
coming into this neighborhood he asked
me 10 call on you. and also intimated that
Z fell in love with Beatrice he would
have noobj ection. He said he thought
in that way to atone for the past"
Mrs. Bevington sighed. and a tear crept
down her face; he had not quite forgot
ten her, then.
But ! was not quite willing" contin-
ued Jack. Ito marry girl under circaua-
stances 50 suspicious, therefore determin-
ed 10 come quietly. incogni1o, in fact.
and see for myself II ! cared Tor her.
and what was infinitely more necessary.
L. ~ n ]