Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1899-07-13
BURGLARY COHDOHRD.

IL was q woman Who caused ell
the trouble. And q beautiful crea-
tare she vas. None other could
have inducsd John Preston 90 turn
thus bitterly against his partner.
He and Harry Bidvell had come
to the thriving Colorado town when
it was little more than . name.
Together they had struggled thru
TIE vicissitudss of hoetuatink Ill
estate, and By their joint efforts had
managed 10 establish the leading
bank in the city. The two men
had lived together since their coll
lsgs dsys, and between them an in
timacy hsd grown up such % 10
rarely experisnoed By men.
Preston was che elder Of the part
ners. His coal-black hair was
streaked st the temples, betrsying
his forty years /; bus his deep-set,
steely blue eyes had lost none Of
their steady light. You knew at
once that he was . man Of business
and Q euccsssful one. He had the
portly form, which 10 supposed 10
60 with prosperity. HE manner
was dignifed--his enemies called il
'overbearing' g'-snd even his friends
we're obliged to admit that there
we're times when he was disagree
ably precise and confident. But
men Who had business dealings
with Preston, found him upright
and honest. He made no rash
promises, and invariably kept his
word whether in regard to canceling
. mortgage--or foreclosing one.
Bidwell was 0 tall man of thirty
Eve, with eyes, hair and mustache
all Of the same color-a delicate
brown-snd Q dreamy, expressive
face. He was man Of more than
ordinary business ability. but, away
from his partner, he lost half his
strength. And no one realized this
more fully than Bidwell himself.
He frankly laid al his plans before
Preston. and took no decisive steps
without his advice and approval.
Preston repaid this confidence with
On affection which surpassed that Of
p brother, and for ten years the two
men had been inseparable. ~
And then tina woman appeared
on the scene. She came from Dem
yer to spend the simmer at c..
After resisting the charms Of many
fair women, Bidwell lost his heart
to this one almost at frst sight ;
and Preston, who for many years
had stolidly announced his inten-
tion to remain bachelor, was sud.
denly filled with Q desire to become
Q benedict. At frst, however,
neither thought Of the other as 9
possible rival.
Florence Hamilton was worthy
of the love Of any man.. She NOT
oaly possessed the beauty which
men admire in their sweethearts,
but also the womanly qualities
which they demand Of their wives.
Preston, 90 he sat in his room one
evening, found himself rejoicing
that he had remained heart free IN.
Gil he met her. With his usual
clearsightedness, he saw that no
time must be lost'if he wished &c
win her. It alarmed him to think
Of the admirers she had already
gained at O--, and he decided "a
begin his suit st once.
He had barely made this decision
when Bidwell came into the room,
and placing his hands upon Pres
toms shoulders, said:
John. ! have had no secrets fron
you for the past ten years. and
will not have nov. I believe thai
! love Florenoe-Miss Hamilton,
and I intend to via her for my
wife, ~ Al
sThs d you dov sprsng q
johns lips. bat he checked him
self and glsred hard ct his partner
sWhy don't you wish me successl
asked Harry.
Il do-don't-that is STAN
mered John. losing his self-posses
| ion for almost the first time in hi
life.
'Oh, ! know what you mean.
said Bidwell. In his frank, boyssl
way. you are thinking how lone
some il viii be for yon when I "a
married. Rest assured, old man
win never desert you. We-I-E