Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-05-18

presently Sne nestIu nIui CouiiuS ny
the walk. How well she knew that
quick, firm stepl She heard him enter
the parlor, and then her mother came
up stairs.
"Marion, darling" she said, tender
ly, Z" Allan is here; what shall l tell
him n
"This will explain" handing her the
letter she had written.
Ms. Esstsn kissed her tcnderly as
she took The letter, and went down to
the parlor. She was deceived by |
Marion's calnYtIees.
Allan Chester began TO wonder at
Marion's delay. AS Mrs. Holton open.
ed the door, he arose eagerly, with. a
bright smile ON his lips, that quickly
iaded when he saw Mrs. HOiton in-
steaat of his betrothed.
{" Where is Man0n p he asked, anxi-
ously. SIS she ill, Mrs. HOltOn Y
g marion is ndisposed. and will not
SEE you this evening"" she said, co'dly.
/" think this letter viii explain
He took the letter, bowed silently,
and left the house. What could it
mean I Surely there must be some
mistake. There was 10 WAY to account
for it.
A short distance from the house he
met a young man named Edward
Dunreath. Dunreatl had been Allan's
rival fo- Marion's hand, aud persistent
~ urged his suit after she had repeat
ediy told him it was hopeless; but
since her engagement TO Allan, he had
apparently resigned all hope. AS he
passed Allan tonight, he smiled
triumphantiy.
"Has he the key to this mystery. |
wonder sr mutiered Allan. " He look
ed very much pleased; perhaps he is
AT the bottom OF it. Ii he as made
trouble for me, let him beware. l am
no. to he triifed with. as ne viii soon
find OUT
By this time he had reached his
room, and, hastily lighting the gas, he
read The following -
8. ALLAN CHESTER We have met for the
last time hencrfortn yoa aad l are strangers
Your ow "A co.ascience mast tell you the reason
of this; il not, remember last night, and you
will not be at loss to account tor IT. Ed
closed fnd your Iing
MAaIoS HoLToN."
Last night" he mase.l, 81 fell
as,eep on the lounge, and did not
awake till late this morning Nothing
yery criminal in that: should think.
1t ras curious, though, something l
never did before. suppose Dunreath
was at Mr.. Holton's, distiiiing poison
into their minds, and this is the result.
Where is Marion's laith, 1 wonder If
it is SO wavering, it is best as she
say; we sviu be strangers.
Meanwhile, Edward Dunreath had
entered the pleasant parlor of the par
Tonnage. Mrs. Holton received him
cordially, for she and Mrs. Dulreath
had been schoolmates together, and
she was always glad to see her friends
son. Without appearing to ,lO so, he
noticed She was unusually sad, aid he
thought he could guess the cause /; but
he meant to know it, before he took
his departure.
us Miss Marion at home 7" he ask
eel, presently.
"She is at home," replied Mrs. Hol
ton, :. but she is not very well this
evening. You must excuse her this
time.r
Certainly. But / hope she is moi
seriously ill. / met Allan Chester as
came up the street, so | suppose she
was too i'll to see him, and. OF course
| could not expect to see her."
"That does not necessarily follow
said she. marion has broken her Ell
gagement with Allan"
g. Indeed! lam glad to hear it.
neves deemed him worthy OF her." h
said; he is too fond Of wiIie."
! Il would not have believed it, bu
for the evidence of my own eyes, sh'
said. 81 don't see how we could al
have been so deceived
! "Oh, he's sly enough lawyers al
ways are. What astonishes me Is
that you ever found him out at all.' !.
81 probably should not, but for Al
accident"
ss no .-<~,, xt.:-f- lfc -, - aid 1s~ka,