The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-06-17
one Man And TWO Women.

--~sS.---
one Man And TWO Women.
| ''Oh, Georgel Pm so glad you've
comes" and then almost as suddenly
added, ''Oh, 1 beg pardon, sir, Pve made
a great mistake, but the resemblance is
wonderful"
Before the astonished Malcolm
Thorne could make reply, the young
female with the fair, lovely face suffused
with bushes, had disappeared in the
crowd, and. was quickly beyond his
sight. a
woman must have taken me for her
lover, whom, l suppose, she expected
would come by this train. Why, bless
me. it's the funniest adventure with
which Pye ever met" The whole affair
struck him as being entirely ludicrous,
and he stood still tor moment and gave
vent to hearty laugh.
He moved on again, got clear Of the
I crowd, and then gazed along the plat
form, where row Of various sizes and
styles of vehicles were waiting to con-
vey the arrivals to different points in
the town.
s.Minnie promised to meet me here
with the carriage, but Inever see her nor
it. Probably something has delayed
her; at any rate, PHI sit down few min
utes longer"
Ten minutes passed away, but neither
his lady-love nor the vehicle appeared.
"She must be ill.," he murmured,
glancing at his watch; "but It's strange
she did not order the carriage to come
for me, even if she couldn't come her
self.
He called a cabman to him. ''Do you
| Mr. raoidnc 2t3
asked. The man replied in the afiirma-
tive, and Malcolm ordered him to drive
there as quickly as he could.
The venicle stopped in front Of q
stately, handsome residence, and NAL
colin Thorne sprang out of the convey
ance, walked rapidly up the graveled
walk to the door and rang the bell, which
was almost Immediately answered by a
servant.
there any sickness in the family T cried
Malcolm.
"Au are quite we'll, SIR" replied the
domestic, sand MISS Rangton can net
see you, and bade me give you this
note,u She thrust 1t into his hand, aud
then shut the door, as the saying is,
in his face.
He tore open the envelope, and read
these sarcastic lines:
Mr.. THoRNE--DEAR SIR: I was not
aware, until quite recently, that your
heart was large enough to entertain an
affection for two women at the same
time. Such being the case, l must de-
cline the share of love you have been
wont to lavish upon me.
lremain, very respectfully,
MINNIE RANGToN.
"Good heavens! What is the meaning
: of this? Has her love for me departed
since Hast saw her and been bestowed
on another, and is this the paltry man.
Iner in which she seeks to rid herself OF
lmy company and even the engagement
is one series of taisehood from begin.
ming to end, and is plainly Of her own
coinage, tooV
He walked slowly, the picture Of a
grief-stricken man, down The graveled
walk, but as he reached the gate, a lady
approached 1t from the other side.
"My dear Malcolm" she cried, "what
ia the matter? You look as if some
greatapisfortune had befallen YOU"
"AHd so there has, Mrs. Rangton.
Read this and Judge for yourself, and
then explain it it you camp he replied.
ha anding her Minnle's note.
II really can't conjecture what has
caused her to write you. in this fashion. D
eoid Mrs. Rangton, when she had no.
rmsed this missive. "This morning ),
she added, "Mlnnie was looking joyfu1ly
, forward to your com1ng,''
WAnd YOU don't doubt that my affec.
!, tiou for her is as Great as it ever was
Mrs. Rapgton" ne asked, interrupting
her.
II have had no Cause for doubt, NAL
colin, nor will till have full and sufi
cisut proof. 1 am convinced that there
Ia miStoln huf xsyh moi 10
can neither say nor think"
~ hope it may prove nothing worse
he replied sadly. II sought an oxplana
: tion Of her strange conduct, but sh,
w ould not grant me an interview. Good
bye, Mrs. Rangton, for I must 60, else
sh all miss the next train. You may tel
. her that for,
Malcolm, you shall do nothing Of thu
kind. have known You since you wer'
child, and Pm sure you would not d,
any thing wrong or unmanly. ! have al
ways placed as much faith in you as
have in, Minnie, Malcolm; therefore al
4 you say you can not explain what hal
caused her to take this sudden dislike Il
i you, she herself must do SO, for you
4 satisfaction and mine. Come with m,
4 into the house; we have already de
llayed too long. The sooner this matter
is cleared up, the better for all partie'
concerned"
| "My pride, Mrs. Rangton, will no.
4 permit me to enter until Minnie sum
mons me and doubt il she ever will
Twice to-day the door has been slammed
in my face, as il were some low char
acter, and, unquestlonably, by YOU
n ldaughter's orders.
~ did not think she could act in sucl
an unladylike manner. She shall beg
} your pardon for SO DOING" said Mrs
kangtonin her decided way. swell, al
} your resolved to stand upon your dig
nifty, like all you foolish loyers-ant
} you're well matched in that respect, Of
: there would be more reconciliations ant
/, fewer broken engagements-just remair
where you are till retarn. I'll find ou
the why and the whereiore Of this mat
: ter, and be back again In a few minutes
1 The stated time had scarcely elapset