The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-06-16

His unusual beauty and winning manners
seemed to charm every one with whom he
associated. | have known great many men
in long course of university life, but have
never seen handsomer or nobler-lookng
young fellow than Charley Howard. His
bright laughing eyes were of soft brown
color, matching the hai- that curled over his
low broad forehead, his mouth was as softly
curved and gentle in its expression as a
woman. but redeemed from all suspicion of
effeminacy by the long thick moustaches that
shaded it. He tall and wel-proportion-
ed, graceful in build, though not possessing
much appearance of muscular strength.
Charley was very fine looking, although he
always gave an impression of elegance rather
than power, and his face showed quick in
teligence, but not strong intellect. Poor
fellow had he been endowed with less
beauty and more mental force he had not
ended so miserably. have told you that he
was great favorte in society. 1t was du-
ring the second year that knew him-we
had been living here together for about
eighteen months-that he came into my
room one night about o'clock, in evening
| dress, and told me that he was going to
large party at the house of Mr.. Huntley,
his employer. 1t was there that he met for
the first time Alice Remson." ." 'a.n
"Who?" said Harry, in sharp, con-
strained tone, He began to see where Joe's
story was tending, and a hot, bitter feeling
of hatred toward his friend surged up in his
heart. .. ..... I1 i..HY
Forgive me, Harry. I would spare you
the horrid story if could II is rs hard for
me to tell as for you to hear. Its only the
hope that the present pain / am inAicting
may save you years of future suffering that
enables Inc to go on y and Joe's voice trem-
bled as he spoke. iI.irIlI utu. .H d,
HE met her for the fist time at Mr..
Huntley'F but after that, as the winter went
on, not week passed that he did not spend
one or more evenings at her side. At balls,
| parties, or receptions, Charley was her con-
slant attendant; he was her escort at the
opera he walked with her in the mornings,
and later in the day rode with her in the
park. Their names were always coupled to-
gether in the current gossip of drawing
rooms, and the people would pause to admire
the handsome couple as they passed them on
the street or avenue. Charley's attention
was in great measure drawn away from
his busine s ; his salary was exhausted with
opera and concert tickets, carriage hire and
hot-house flowers and his devotion to Alice
Remson absorbed his time and attention to
the exclusion of every other thought or in
terest All other admirers fell away from
Alice'S train to devote themselves to some
one less preoccupied, and society began to
look upon them as belonging to each other
although no engagement was ever an
nounced.' .-...
Harry's face was turned away from Joe !;
but the latter saw slight shiver convulse
the boys frame, while one hand was tightly
clinched in the pillow under his head.
When Joe ceased speaking Harry lay for
few minutes motionless. His fierce pas
sion had subsided, and with noble effort
he rallied his powers of endurance and self
control, to enable him to face in a manner
becoming man, the misfortune that had
fallen upon his life. Then he raised him
sell from the bed in weary, laborious man
ner, like an old man. He took the package
of letters from the table, and shuddered as
his fingers came in contact with the black
band that held them together his brow
contracted with a sudden spasm Of Iain as
he saw the name "Charles Howard, ESQ p
traced in the same delicate characters that
had 50 often written his own. When he
spoke his voice had harsh and unfamiliar
sound.
"One night Charley came home, ant
passing my room on his way to his own
stopped for moment. / missed the usua
buoyancy from his quick, elastic step, anc
the pleasant whistle that nearly always an
nouncod his coming. Looking up at him
saw sad, troubled look in his handsome
eyes, and struck by the change in his man
ner asked him what was the matter. 1t wa
: something so unusual to see him anythint
l but cheerful and happy.
Isl don't quite know, Joe, he answered
in the low sweet voice that was one of hi
= greatest attractions, ALLY promised to be a
: home tonight, and when / went to he
house she had gone out-'with gentleman,
, | was told .... ..
lis that an engagement, Charley ?"
asked.
IL suppose may tell you, joe he re
piled but the little lady will not have i
announced publicly ..
) "Why not ?" l asked him. .....
81 don't know, You--you don't thinl
she can mean to break her promise, do yol
Joe" he asked, in n troubled hesitatiny
tone. She hasn't seemed quito the same t.
me lately And heavy sigh broke from
his lips, and there was slight evidence 0
tears in the depths of his soft brown eyes.
THAT was the beginning of the end From
that night change came over Charley. Tn,
brilliant light in his eyes faded away, tn,
sound of his football grew heavy and wear,
as he dragged himself hOpelessly about, anC
his merry whistle never woke the echoes il
the old boarding-hOuse again. Alice Rem.
sons falsehood and treachery had broker
his heart, and few weeks afterwards cost
him his life,
at is false-as false as hell |" With Q
sudden bound Harry sprang from the bed
his eyes glowing with the fury of maniac
| With sudden jerk he seized Joe by the
shoulder, and, dragging him to his feet
1 I,, l. - Al
with resistless strength horn OF the madness
of passion that ingulfed his soul 'How
dare you toll me such Il wild, false, wicked
lie? Do you stand there with such a vile,
base ialsehood on your lips and think that
shall not kill you?"
Joe warded oil the fierce blow that would
have fallen on his head with his left arm !,
and, exorting the full strength of his heavy
muscular frame pinioned Harrys arms to