The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-05-29
A CASTLE IN SPAIN.

In6r0 was only one QraWDacK TO Gnls
delightful "chateau en- spagne, ant
that tremendous obstacle was Mis-
Beatrice Grandcourt Bevington, the
alternate joy and despair of her grand
mothers heart.
at is no use arguing or commanding
or persuading. said Mrs. Bevington tt
herself, with sigh. If she won't, she
won't, 60 it is just SO much breath
wasted to try either way"
Now, the plain facts of the case are
these: Mrs. Bennington 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 90 and be
%. Can you guess why? A misunder-
standing, girls hasty action, mans
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. Tc
her he had always appeared as in days
of yore.
You, of course, can fathom Mrs.
Bevington's plans that these two young
persons should marry. After all, what
could be nicer? she thought. And per
haps that would in a measure make uI
for her own lost happiness, for, though
these memories were nearly half CEN
fury old, Mrs. Bennington thought still
with sigh and misty fear of what
"might have BEEN"
And Beatrice. her darling, dearei
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 great deal of thought Mrs.
Bennington 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 for
dinner. Beatrice looked in amazement
at her grandmother as she anxiously
asked her what she intended to wear
that evening, what flowers she preferred
and wouldn't she do her hair up in her
favorite way?
sis any one coming, grandma asked
lstt1o <t,ir.Iyifon Of tho oIon
that was. being Matched by the stately,
dignified lady.
"Mrs. Whitby and the doctor, " re-
piled Mrs. Bennington, feeling a guilty
qualm as she hid the fact that she also
expected another guest. "But you
know, dear, it seems to me that lately
you have not been SO particular about
coming in early to dress for dinner and
have therefore had to hurry
Beatrice blushed and looked rather
frightened.
The afternoon dragged YEARLY away.
The heat was SO intense as to make
driving or walking an impossibility,
and Mrs. Bennington had not the liking
for the woods possessed by Beatrice,
who had disappeared after lunch and
would not be seen until after dinner
time
As it grew cooler Mrs. Bennington
walked slowly down the forest road,
thinking to meet Beatrice on her way
home, but her courage soon gave out,
and 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 dream
ing, the clear, dulcet tones of Beatrice's
voice struck her ear, with the accom-
paniment of man s voice which seemed
altogether strange to her.
Zone of the child s friends. :" thought
the grandmother, with an indulgent
smile.
Beatrice was a great favorite with
the superior sex.
She rose from her seat as the speak
ers approached her retreat and leisurely
advanced to meet them. But to her hor-
ror and amazement, instead OF seeing
some familiar form. she saw a tall,
handsome stranger actually catch her
own granddaughter, Miss Beatrice
Grandcourt Bennington, in his arms and
kiss her in way that made Mrs. Bev-
ington feel, in spite of her anger, in
dignation and disgust, what the boys
call 'chokey.
"Goodby, my darling" he whisper
ed in caressing tone. SCI shall see you
this evening.
Sat what time shall expect your
asked Beatrice.
Amy time between z and TO-, he
replied, and with more caressing words
and sweet looks they parted, he going
back through the woods and she return
ing home.
Mrs. Bennington sat down, feeling
quite faint. Was this how her castle in
Spain was to end-to burst like bub-
BILE in the air? She sighed, aud sad,
sad look came over her face as she
thought of another broken dream.
She sat there for an hour or more
and then arose and walked slowly
home I'm silly old woman she
thought to herself as she mounted the
stairs to her room after inquiring IL
! the hall if Miss Beatrice had returned
"to have laid such plans. Arranged
marriages rarely are happy, SO perhaps
it is all for the best. -
When Mrs. Bennington walked into
the drawing room to receive her expect
ed guests no one would have guessed
that small tragedy had happened mo-
two short hours ago. She was dressed
az usual in black, with a touch of rare
old lace at the neck and sleeves, while
her beautiful white hair, piled high VI
on her stately head, framed her swee
face like a halo.
"Mr. John Trevor Trenholm, an
nounced the butler as he threw opeI
the door.
Mrs. Bennington advanced to NEE
him, looked, gasped and then looked
again, and for once forgot her compo
sure. She sank almost fainting on ;
chair. while Jack Trenholm franticall,
rang the bell for servant and famed
her with his handkerchief
"What is the matter. grandma?'
asked Beatrice, hastily entering tn
room.
On perceiving the figure bending owe
her grandmother she started. Mrs. Bev
ington looked at Jack and tried t
speak, while he and Beatrice both ap
peared guilty.
"You should have told her NOR
carefully" said Beatrice, looking lit
tie reproachfully at Jack as she spoke
Her grandmother was dear to her
81 have told her nothing, replies
he. why, my dear girl. ] have onl'