Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-01-13
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MAX ROrIENlsEl'S REVENGE.
by EBEN K. REXFoRD.

gay thrOng anu watched lnc people surg
ing through the rooms ut Mrs. Brieriy',
reception. 1t was better than II book I,
him. He could read strange tales on tn,
faces Of some men aud women who passe,
him. Beneath smiles and superficial gay
1t he could read of restless. uusatisiiet
yuarnings; of unhappy hearts, and live.
whose best days were IA failure.
Some one tapped him on the shoulder
He turned about aud confronted a young
man, with face fair and handsome as q
wOmanS.
How are you, Rothermel = the young
mau said, giving him his hand. Il hardly
expected to see you here. You don't put
much stock in gatherings of this kind gen
eially.'
Not often, Rotherme answered, shaking
his friends hand warmly, his face lightin.
up with a pleased look. i did not expect
to see you here, Kirk. l was thinking
about you not half an hour ago-but was
not aware that you had got back from the
mountains yet. | am glad to see you. L
have missed you since you went away
.'Ah = Roy Kirk said, smiling. I'm
glad to hear that, Rothermel. I'm happy
to know that some one misses me when
I'm gone
Il have so few friends, that 1 dislike TO
ltNC ubO WI bhChl iC'lNC lpl OfNii a litIlt
while Rotherlnei said. when we have
but few, we appreciate them thoroughly
"A few true friends are worth n world
of half hearted uHes,' Kirk answered. L
haven't another friend III the world value
lis do you, Ruthermel. You are always
frank with me. You don't ftwn aud Hat
ter as some of them do. L know | can
trust yOu-but wouldn't dare to put much
confidence in the most of them. They'll
do for fair weather, but not tor everyday
You can trust mt Rothermel said wIth
a steady look into his friends eyes. l am
pretty sure Of what IA man is worth before
| give him my friendship. L think know
you for Il Htal, Roy Kirk, aud as such |
like yuu.'
a strange man, this Max Rothermel. A
lover of books more than of women re-
served, save when in tn, company of those
whom he admitted Ia his friendship; then
he was genial and charming. Seemingly
cold To those who saw him in the outer
lille ; but To the few who really hner him,
warm hearted true man
Between him and Roy Kirk fast friend
ship had grown up. n friendship that
was as strong rs the love n man can give
to woman, but of n different nature. 1t
was not very demonstratlve. 1t was not
in the nature of either to make much show
Df what they felt at heart, but they under
stood each other thoroughly. for all that.
is Sybl Cameron here y Kirk asked,
After il little silence.
Il think | saw her when came in.
Rothermel replied. i may have been mis-
akrn though
No. she is there in the recess of that
said young Kirk, a moment later
Is the thrOug sur9cd apart like the waves
on the shore. Isn't she lovely,
Ruthermel p
Rnthermel's eyes followed the direction
Of kirk's finger. a woman was sitting
alone in aywiuduw full of blnssonn%
plants aud trailing vines. n woman with
of the lcNiblc. supple grace OF
The willow about her, aud \ lace that was
lir AS most dreams are-ciear AMI white,
with faint lints of carnatiUn on the checks,
and redder ones on the curvng, parted
Ups. Hair of the palcst gold, soft and
abundant, framed i'll the cirar-cut face,
md cuntrasted strangely with the large
gray eyes which seemed hardly suited to
he beauty of her style /; aud yet the effect
was decidedly charming. She wore Il dress
Jf some hDaliug, d,aphannus stuil. OF
pale Iccn. caught up here and there about
he skirt with snowdr"ps. Some of the
same llowers were in her hair and ON her
bosom.
II were an artist would plnt her as
said Kirk, his admlring eyes III
which there was something more than mere
never leaving her face.
i would paint her as Spring, answered
ROthermcl.
why 2 asked Kirk.
Perhaps | am wrong Rothermel an
,wered, but to ME she seems tickle,
,hangetul woman one who wins mans
leart one day by her smiles and coquetry.
md casts it aside the next, caring nothing
or it after it is wed. Spring is tickle and
hlse in promises, and not ut all the plea
SAINT season you poets would make us be-
eve. To me the season and this woman
seem alike
But summer is only Spring with soul
N it, answered Kirk.
Yes, | grant you that said Rothermel.
But looking in Sybil Cameron's face fail
could see it if looked with the fond eyes
)f a.loyer.'
Il do love her, Kirk said earnestly. you
were right when you called me a lover,
l never cared for woman
before as | do for .Sybil Cameron. To me
she is the synonym of all things fair and
pure and sweet. She may be the woman
without Il sonl that you imagine, but
can't think her in that way. If can win
her | shall be the happiest man alive
For your sake, hope she is all you
ancy her. Rothermel answered. 'Youare
worthy of her, if she is. hope you may
be right, but ardon me, Kirk, am afraid
you are wrong
i may be- Kirk answered, but love
her.
i have nothing to advant,e against an
argument like that, the other said, smil-
ing.
Il must 60 and speak with her, Roy
Kirk said II mnIaent later.
Rplhermel watched him as he went up
to Miss Camernn's side. He saw her lift
her bewidering eyes, while a little flush Of
rose ran up to her check, and II look of
shyness came 10 her face and
made. il doubly fascinating.
Young Kirk is about gone some one
said near by. From his looks, when Miss
Cameron gives him smile like that, he
can't stand it long
Poor fellow was the reply, pityingly.
It's too bad, say, for woman of her
stamp To be allowed to go free u win hearts
aud break them as she does. She dpesnt
care a straw for Kirk, but she thinks it