The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-08-01

above train Of thoughts il was, that in,
stigated him 10 ask hearing the next
moIning, as we have said he did.
The week passed, and on the evening
Of the seventh day from the interview
between Henry Vane and Edna Bright
they met in the parlor, she to give him
he to receive, his answer. Several wer,
present, but as the room was spacious
he led her 10 the old bay window, think
ing their conversation would ba unheard
To his chegrin, presently in came five
charming ladies, four gentlemen. tive
more ladies, Maurice Cassoll, then Mrs,
Throne, the good proprietress. Henry
Vane was vexed. He was asking Edna
what il meant, when a gentleman arose
saying, "Miss Bright requested me to
statasladies and gentlemen, that the oh.
jet of this meeting is to allow her to ex.
press her gratitude, and return the aims
80 literally donated when she came in
your midst in the guise Of poverty"
Amusement was the expression Of ev-
cry face, for it was well known that Ed
ma was the child of wealth. She was
either going crazy or making dupcs Of
them. She arose and left the room, re-
questing, however, that no one should
leave in her absence.
They marvoled greatly and waited in
suspense. But the door soon opened, and
in limped the identical midnight beggar,
who aroused them from their slumbors
three weeks before.
The room rang with laughter. The
gentlemen ha-ha-ed and the ladies fairly
screamed. Even prim Miss Moore
laughed until three of hercurls lost their
roofing and fell to the floor.
The unmistakable Powered reticule
pended from her arm as before. She
empted its contents ON the table, then
hobbled from one to another, returning
to each the same given on the moonlit
pavement.
With the pittance cast at her feet by
Henry Vane, she gave him also a card
on which was written, Take that, vag-
abond, and in the future earn your liv-
ing US honest people, in daylight
He read il; his face was a study; it
grew dark and flushed. Those cold,
cruel words now burnt him like brands of
fire. The company saw in the ruse only
capital joke; but to Henry Vane it
was more, for he read therein the seal Of
his fate. Edna was soon alone, face to
face, with the duped man, now sullen
and dark as n storm-cloud.
EDNA Bright" began he, "you are
guilty Of the most cunning treachery.-I
When the man who loved you was
asleep, perhaps dreaming of you who he
then thought lovely and good, you in
the disguise of beggar's rags, contrived
a scheme by which, suppose, to test
his charity. Was that generous or fair?
No, it WAS like stabbing a man in the
back. Why did you DO it, l say?"
Edna listened all the while as compos-
eddy as if he had been describing a scene
from the Alps.
My object was, as you suppose, simp-
ly to test you. was silly; your Gattery
fell pleasantly on my ear, and | thought
| loved you, but | soon suspected that
you we're cold and selfish. Then, as a
beggar, asked aims you cast pittance
az my feet, accompanied by words colder
and harder to the poor than the stone on
which it fell. Confirmed in my belief of
your seifshness, | turned to the next,
and then beheld the true nobility of |
noble soul. From him came a shining
coin and words of kindness"
Henry Vane remembered now the
generosity of Maurice Cassell, and in
his heart cursed the day of his birth.
Talk is useless now" said he, rising
suddenly to his feet, "but when you are
happy in the love of that devoted para
gon, remember, treacherous girl, that |
am miserable, and that it was you made
me So
Henry Vane left Palam, apparently,
a more charitable man, ever afterwards
giving to beggars but despising them
from the depths of his heart.
Maurice Cassell and Edna Bright oft
ten laughed over the scene on the moon
lit pavement. He tells her that he
bought her with gold, but adds. emphat-
cally, that she is the dearest investment
ever purchased for similar sum.