The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-02-07


meant by that that he must keep it Sc
cret.)
Really, Barton, you are worse than
love-sick boy of sixteen. OF course.
will keep your betrothed, of which vol
volunteered to tell me, a secret, and desir
very much to form the acquaintance O
Miss Norton. But no more about it a
present, let's arrange our books aud pre-,
pare to go"
Barton came in the next morning look
ing rather haggard. He did not enio,
himself at the party the night before
He imagined that Foster looked too ad
miringly at his darling Kate, and thai
she returned that admiring look. Such
are the pictures that jealous lovers ar,
wont to paint In this case the picture
perhaps, was not greatly exaggerated, fol
Foster was deeply interested in Miss
Hates charming conversational powers
And on his return to his duties he was
haunted by. those jetty orbs from which
shone the very soul of wit and gayety,
confined with that deep sentimental ex-
preston that was calculated to captivate
the worst Of woman haters. Nor had he
forgotten thoAe beautiful tresses that al
most hid from view such perfectly
rounded shoulders; nor those ruby lips
that were patterned from the curve Of
Cupids own bow. Suffice it to cay that
after Rates birthday party, Foster
visits became frequent, and sometimes
not short, at the hospitsble residence OF
Hates father.
As for Willie Barton. he became
maddened almost to desperation at the
thought Of his lovely Hates GOODNESS to-
ward him, and the charming glances
which she cast upon Foster, and he taxed
his brain to the utmost tension to devise
some scheme that would thwart Foster in
his plan of captivating, before his very
eyes, the idol of his heart and the source
from which he expected to derive all his
future happiness.
Late one evening. some months after
the party. as Foster was returning from
one of his many visits to Norton's, he
met Barton in company with one of his
reckless, vagabond chums. Foster
bowed politely and passed on, not noticing
the demoniacal frown that was plainly
depicted on Barton's brow. He hurried
on to his room and was soon wrapped in
the sonndest slumbers, dreaming of the
happy time mnen haJe Norton, who had
become the center Of his affections, and
| almost the sole occupant of his thoughts,
would be mistress of his own happy
home. But the thought never once
entered his mind that at that very in
slant Willie Barton, whom jealousy had
made n demonwas planninga scheme that
was, perhaps, destined 10 destroy his fair
reputation, blast his hopes of winning
Kate Norton and even to land him in the
State Penitentiary. Though such was
the case, as will be plainly seen when we
notice the farther actions of Barton and
his companion.
After passing Foster, the two walked
rapidly to the hotel, and being seated in
his own room, Barton turned to his CON-
psnion and said
',Crofton, are you certain there is no
one in the adjoining room?'
ayes; whyT
because l have something to commu.
nicate to you that belongs strictly to the
Masonic Lodge. Do you know what
mean p
Eyes, you mean that must keep what
you tell me secret"
Exactly so. But are you certain there
is no one in thereH" again asked Barton,
pointing to the adjoining room.
Perfectly certain, for you know that
room is occupied by Eaton, and he left
for Louisville this evening. But what in
the thunder is the matter with you, old
fellow. You look as pale as ghost
Out with it. Don't hesitate. You know
me, and there is no one else to hear"
THAT is true. l know you, and you
will, perhaps, learn something new about
me tonight, l have some dirty work to
do. and want the assistance of an old
chum. Can you help me2"
Eyes; with good grace if there is any
money. in it,"
swell, there is money in it, but that is
not what am after. want revenge"
"Out withft, then. What do you want
me to dol"
Every we'll; to begin with the first,
you know that once loved Kate Norton
almost 10 madness, and she fully returned
that love until that cussed Foster came.
Then che sent me up Salt river in a
hurry, and now l hate her as much as
ever loved her, and Foster, we'll, curse
him, could literally grind him to pieces.
Oh! how oft have [ cursed the hour l
had him employed. But will have nv
revenge, for 1 know my plan will sue
ceed."
swell, what lis your plan p asked Croft
ton.
at is this" replied Barton. "This even