The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-10-31
A CASTLE IN SPAIN.

A CASTLE IN SPAIN.
Mrs. Grandcourt Bevington had
planned it all out in her mind from the
first meeting, when they would instant
ly fall in love with each other, to the
wedding bells and flowers and music.
There was only one drawback to this
delightful ''chateau en- spagne," and
that tremendous obstacle was Miss
Beatrice Grandcourt Bevington, the
alternate JOY and despair of her grand
mothers heart.
''It is no use arguing or commanding
or persuading," said Mrs. Bevington to
herself, with sigh. "If she won't, she
won't, SO it is just SO much breath
wasted to try either way"
Now, the plain facts Of the case are
these: Mrs. Bevington had that morn.
ing received a letter from an old friend
| "a friend whom she had not seen in
years. in fact since she was 20 and he
25. Can you guess why? misunder-
standing, a girls hasty action, man g
wounded pride and parting. Forty
five years had elapsed, and now he had
written to say that his grandson was
visiting in the neighborhood and would
be honored by permission to call. His
grandson! She could hardly realize that
now he was old, nearly 70 in fact. To
her he had always appeared as in days
of yore.
You, of course, can fathom Mrs.
Bevington plans that these two young
persons should marry. After all, what
could be nicer? she thought. And per-
haps that would in measure make up
for her own lost happiness, for, though
these memories were nearly half CEN
tury old, Mrs. Bevington thought still
with sigh and misty fear of what
''might have been"
| And Beatrice. her darling, deare,
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 spoiled by hasty action, which
tendency she inherited from her grand
mother and father?
After a great deal of thought Mrs.
Bevington came to the wise conclusion
that ''least said soonest mended, and
therefore determined to say nothing
whatever to Beatrice about the expected
guest, his grandfather, or her own
Wishes hopes and fears.
The long expected day came at last,
and the guest was to arrive in time fol
dinner. Beatrice looked in amazement
at her grandmother as she anxiously
asked her what she intended to veal
that evening, what flowers she preferred
and wouldn't she do her hair up in hel
favorite way?
sis any one coming, grandma" asked
1 Beatrice little thinking Of the plan
that was being Matched by the stately,
ldignified lady.
"Mrs. Whitby and the doctor, 3" re-
piled Mrs Bevington, feeling guilty
lqualm as she hid the fact that she als(
lexpected another guest. "But yor
know, dear, it seems to me that lately
you have not been so particular about
looming in early to dress for dinner ani
have therefore had to hurry"
Beatrice blushed and looked rather
frightened.
The afternoon dragged wearily away
The heat was SO intense as to make
driving or walking an impossibility
and Mrs. Bevington had not the liking
for the woods possessed by Beatrice
who had disappeared after lunch ant
would not be seen until after dinner
time.
| AS it grew cooler Mrs. Bevingtol
walked sloysly down the forest road
thinking to meet Beatrice on her wa,
home, but her courage soon gave out
and she sat down to rest on the prett,
little seat that had been put up fo
Beatrice and which she called he
bower.
As she sat there, resting and dream
ing. the clear, dulcet tones of Beatrice
voice struck her ear, with the accom-
paniment of mans voice which seemed
altogether strange to her.
lone of the child s friends. though
the grandmother, with an indulgen
smile.
Beatrice was a great favorite witt
the superior sex.
She rose from her seat as the speak
ers approached her retreat and leisurel,
advanced to meet them. But to her hor
ror and amazement, instead of seeini
some familiar form. she saw a tall
handsome stranger actually catch he
own granddaughter, Miss Beatric
Grandcourt Bevington, in his arms an,
kiss her in a way that made Mrs. Bev
ington feel, in spite of her anger, in
dignation and disgust, what the boy
call "chokey."
"Goodby, my darling" he whisper
ed in caressing tone. 81 shall see yo
this evening.
"At what time shall expect you?'
asked Beatrice.
"Any time between and TO-" b
replied and with more caressing word
and sweet looks they parted, he goin
back through the woods and she return
ing home.
Mrs. Bevington sat down, feelin
quite fai1t. Was this how her castle il
Spain Was to end-to burst like bub