The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-12-25
TMETAUNT AVENGED
NY CARL oRossMAN,

streams, lhsl DOuIu III btcelJ ll'ha w
Ice.
The rocks cawed mournfully in the
trees, and in the distance the village
spirelrose up like picturesque glimpse
out Of some painted landscape.
And the pcals Of bells was scarcely
swoeter than Flora Lands voice rs
she sprang lightly from the chaise to
the doorstep
81 have enjoyed my ride so much,
Mr.. Dallas And you won't forget TO
come tomorrow with the new book
you were telling me orr"
Carrie SwindOn, n tall, spare girl OF
Il very uncertain age, had looked So
bcrly ON from behind the window cur
talns, and when Flora tripped in, with
eyes sparkling like hazel stars, and
cheeks flushed soft, peachy bloom,
she met her with severe dignity.
"Florn, you ought not to do that"
"Ought not to do whatW
"'l'o encourage that young man"
"0h, iiidIlesticks!n said Flora, UNI
twisting her boa aud throwing it care
lessly. "0ne must amuse ones self
somehow, and it's duh here"
"But it isn't fair either to Reuben,
Dallas or to DR.. May.n
Flora made up her scarlet mouth in
to n grimace expressive of the utmost
contempt.
"Don't interfere, please, Carrie. Both
the gentlemen you mention are quite
able to take care of themselves
Carrie Swindon bit her lip.
"No one would take you to be
an engaged girl, Flora"
"Wouldn't they ~
''And certainly it is scarcely credl-
table course of conduct, this which
you are pursuing"
"Who made you my preceptress,
Carrier saucily demanded Miss Lam
dis. "What nun you are to be sure!
Don't you know | was engaged to two
gentlemen at u time Tor six months !?
It was such fun Rings bouquets--
all the novels, and kid gloves by the
box, fresh from Paris. But one day
they happened to come nj the same
timc,,aud my little game WAS played
out.n
"Flora ~
"Girls all do it, Carrie. All city girls
mean. Your poor country aborignes
can't Of course he expected to be up to
the times. But since | have been en-
gagged to DR.. May, who has rather Il
Jealous streak in his composition, lve
been somewhat out Of practice, |
must allow this rural school
master is excellent fun ~
"But, Flora, he thinks you are in
enrnest,n demonstrated Carrie Swindon
"Nell let him. He'll get over it.
I'm sure the men are mercless enough
in their ilirtations with us poor girls"
"And 1 suppose you never think of
how you may be spelling the chances
of other girls added Carrie, some.
what bitterly.
~ am not spelling yours at any
rate,n retorted Flora. "For if ever
there was an old maid beyond the
reach of help you are one"
Carrie redeemed and tossed her head,
1t was quite true, this speech of
beautiful Flora Lands, but it was none
the pleasanter to hear.
And when Flora shot that poisoned
arrow it was the greatest mistake she
ever made in her life, for it trans
formed Carrie into her bitter enemy.
Flora Lands was spending few
winter weeks at the home of her
fathers distant cousin.
And, In the meantime, she amused
herself by tranquil Irritation with
Renben Dallas.
But it We're better far that che had
not hurled that last tempting taunt at
her mature cousin, for, as she sat be-
fore the fire that night in ruby
merino, with delicate lace putting at
her throat, and rings glittering on her
plump, rose.tipped fingers, luxuriously
dreaming over the volume of Lalla
Rookh in her lap Carrie had already
laid the first stone Of the edifice of her
ruin.
where's Carrie@ said she, looking
sleepily up.
"Gone to one of the neighbors, ]
believe said Mrs. Swndow, who was
already heartily tired of her city guest.
90
"rShe told me so herself-malles no
secret whatever of it, said Miss Swim
don, in mysterious confab with Ellie
Dallas, the school masters sister.
GLOW dares she,N cried Ellie, with
flashing eyes and deep.eyed cheeks,
"to triile with one so good and noble
ms Reuben?n
"My dear, those coquettes stop at
nothing said Carrie, vindictively.
"And Reuben is wearing her ring,
and she has got bis seal that papa left
him ilthls will. And OF course Reu-
ben supposes it amounts to an engage
ment. Oh, Carrie! what ought to
dow
"You can do nothing" said Carrie.
"But | can--I must. Am | to sit
tamely by and see my brothers. happi-
ness wrecked? What is the name of
this man ST is engaged to? What is
his addressw
"Iou would never go to see him ~
III would do anything to save Reu-
ban. was going to Boston on Mon
day. can easily see her lover then,
and warn him of the fatal mischief she
Is doing. Am l not justified in using
any weapons in Reuben's behalf?"
"But," cried Carrie, with glttering
eyes of Triumph, "you will not tell
Reuben ?n
t'Of course not. DO you suppose any
testimony could make him believe her
anything less than an angel Of light?n
And so, upon the Monday following,
Ellie Dallas took the train to Boston,
and went straight to DIR. Mays.
He rose at her entranee--a tall gen
tlemanly man. ~
II am not patient, sir,n said Efne
coloring, and feeling her heart throb.
III am only Efiie Dallas, from R.,
where Flora lands is staying"
/ "Sit down." said DR.. May, looking
intently at her. "Do not hurry your
self What is 1t you have got to tell
me ?ae ~ ~ -