Year: 1873

An Old Bachelors Story.


lam an old bachelor. At sixty-6ve l
can say that never shall be anything else
while live; bat, like all other men-all
have ever met at least-I have loved
and hoped to be happy with my chosen
bride.


That passion and those hopes faded forty
years ago. Since then / have done pen.
ance for the hasty act Of one night; l
have stunned the society of women, and
forbade myself the shadow of a hope that
L might patch my tattered hopes with new
ones.


To none who knew me, have ever told
the tale. I should have been esteemed a
liar, or a madman, and no one would will
lingly accept such reputation. To you,
unknown reader, dare recite the events OF
those four and twenty hours-events which
turned my life into its now well-worn chan
mel, and made me the lonely, hopeless man
| am.


At the age of wenty-four, [ was clerk
in the establishment of Messrs. Carp &
Cavil. lawyers had energy and ambi-
ton, health and opportunity-everything,
in fact, that could be wished for by man
who hoped to fight his way up in the
world, and win wealth and reputation.


was engaged to young lady by the
name of Grace Hunter, pretty, delicate
creature. so quiet that her pet-name, Snow
fake, seemed the only one suitable for her.
Her step was noiseless, her movements
soft, her voice sweet and low. She never
herself entertained a large company by
her conversation, nor did any of those
things that give a woman the reputation
for brilliancy but her mental powers
were very fine, and in a tete-a-tete she was
enchanting. A lady to the hearts core
in my eyes, at least, perfect beauty, she
might have yet been forgotten by most
men in a room full of giggling, chattering
girls.


adored her. l had felt that her love
was jewel worthy of an emperor's wear
ing, and scarcely dared to utter the words
that told her all felt Even now her high
bred reserve kept me at little distance
was proud of her. She was at once the
saint. whom | revered, aud the being whom
it was to be my delight to cherish and pro
tect until death should part US.


Six months had passed since she had
promised to be mine. At the end of si1
more she was to give me her hand. had
small salary, but my grandmother had
left me small legacy which would enable
US to 90 to housekeeping in plain, but COM
Portable style, and Grace was willing tc
fight life's battles by my side.


Life seemed bright and joyous to me or
that night of midwinter, forty years ago
when | walked through the city street:
with Grace upon my arm, and looking
down at her white wrappings, with CLEANS
OF frosty starlight touching her black hair
wondering i. the angels were fairer than
she was. We were going to spend the
evening at mutual friends residence
There was to be music and dancing, anc
cards. and sociable supper. l went be
cause Grace desired to 60.


Her sole society at her own house was
more delightful to me than any other com
pany; but I was young and light of heart
and when | had once entered the ligh
parlor | did not sit silent in the corner.


talked / sang turned the music
for musical ladies'; l walked through the
Lancer.. At last found myself flirting
with one of the female guests.


There are women man is obliged t.
! firt with. He does not admire them, re
spect them or love them one whit b,
does not even desire their society but he
must be more than man ere he can refuse
to respond to their advances. One o
these women | know, having played tn
lookeron for so many years, can make an,
man appear to other women desperately il
love with her while he almosts detests her
A woman of that kind was among tn,
company. Sae had hands that delighted
in soft touches of hands masculine Eye
that could cast glances bright and entranc
ing. She possessed attraction rather thar
beauty. What she said was nothing; he
conversation had no interest, but l knew
that seemed absorbed with her-that
really was absorbed; in two words, tina
frted abominably with her.


| Grace meanwhile sat apart from me.


She talked to others in her low, swee
tones. Once she sang pretty love song
Quite calm and self-poised, with no ap
pearance Of noticing my conduct, tn
thought that it troubled her never occurred
to me. So that when the evening wa
over, and we had left the house together,
was astonished beyond measure to see al
offended look upon her face, and to hea
an offended tone in her voice. l ofereC
her my arm. She rejected it, replying
that the ground was damp, and that he
hands were occupied with her dress bu
| knew that this was merely an excuse
and feeling myself in the wrong. and hav
ing swallowed more wine than l should a
the table, l grew very angry.


Inlay ask what have done 2" l said


q" You know" said Grace.


Il know :" I repeated. NAY,
know nothing Of women's fancies. Yo'
must explain"


g / scarcely think it worth while," sai'
she. If you do not know that you hav'
done wrong to- o-night, really should no
care. You have neglected me, and devot
ed yourself to that vulgar woman. l hear'
lady near me say that you seemed to b
tired of your bargain. She thought tha
you were 10 love with that creature. S
did other people. Under the circumstan
ces l have right to feel offended. in
suited"


! Perhaps she thought l would deny tn
charge. Perhaps she expected me to plea