Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1877-10-11
BOHEMIAN, MONTANA, THURSDAY, OCTOBER II, 1871

1t was With almost superhuman etfOl
= that she controlled herself At first. sh
felt as If she would faint; then anger too
the place of pain, and that gave lie
strength. and she resolved that she woul,
drink the bitter cup to the dreSs, learn al
OF this hateful story, and then. after shUT
ing him how she despised him. she wOul,
bury herself in some secluded spot ava,
froiii all the world. She had not quit
made up her mind whether she would die
or live to- haunt him. when he asked:
'What is the matter. darling: You ar
strangely quiet tonight. Are you ill:''
She was strong enough to speak now
and she said, in Il voice that no on,
would have recognized as Mollie Rem
sens:
NO, not i'll, but afraid. She might SEE
us-the one you came with, mcan.'
Mollc could not trust herself to mention
ner own name. for she felt that her voice
would waycf if she did.
IL have no fears, Jessie. l am keeping
the whole width of the hall between lis.
"Then why have you asked her tc mar
ry you!" and her voice tremblcd, spite of
all she could do.
''Why do you ask me that troublesome
question, darling: But will tell you now:
Her father is rich-I am poor. and l mar
~ her to better my fortrne.''
Then you do not love her:''
This time her voice was so mournfill.
and so full Of pleading, that but for the
crash of the music. it must have betrayed
her.
Love her. Why. how foolish YOU are
tonight. Jessie. Have | not told you
again and again that love only you? You
know, darling. that value one smile from
you more, much more, than all the love
| She has for me-
Gone now was all the brightness and Joy
OF the evening. There had been very little
amusement. very little sweetness; all that
was left was the dry, hard ashes OF love
turned to hate.
| Yes, she said to herself, that she fairly
hated him now; and had her hand been
one of iron, she could have crushed his
arm in her grasp, and enjoy the pain she
! caused.
Mollie tried to speak several times after
, that, but the words refused to come from
her dry. parched lips.
Il scarcely know you tonight, Jessie
he said. What has occurred to change
you so?''
Nothing" she replied. family.
Are you not going TO dance:'
''NO; not now. at any rate. think |! I
will leave you for !; moment" she added. |
hurriedy.
"Nou will return soon?'
In half an hour
Il viii meet you here. then. JESSIE
MOllie felt than she must be alone tor a |
While. to regain her falling strength Of will.
ere she a;id that to him she had deterlnin-
ed upon-l;ortls that would separate them
forever.
She went to the cloak-room, and there
resolved upon what she would do. and
that it must be done at once.
She hurried back to the ballroom. She
saw her flitliless lover standing near the
door, and going up to him she said in a
low voice:
'.Come out into the lobby. mnst speak
with you at once"
The gentleman seemed little unwilling
to accompany her, but after a moments
hesitation, he offered her his arm, and the
two walked along the almost deserted lob
by.
They reached spot where they were
alone. and Mollie. withdrawing her hand
from his arm, as though the contact was
degrading. faced him resolutely and said.
in an angry tone, from which all love and
sweetness had departed:
'NOw, Mr.. Richmond, you may know
that you were talking to ne, not to Jes-
sie,' and lifting her mack, she disclosed
her pretty face, now flushed and darkened
with anger.
''Why, MOllie," cried Charlie, 'I've been
looking for you all the evening" Where
have you been! And what becoming
costume you have.''
''All this is useless" said Mollie, scorn-
fully. 'You know very well that you
have been talking to me, calling me Jessie,
and telling me about your distasteful en- /,
gagement."
Talking to you, Jessie. Why, what do
you mean, Mollie?''
You know what l mean, Mr. Rich
mond; you see that you have made a mis-
take. We will be strangers henceforth,"
and she passed to him the ring that he had '
placed on her foreiinSer only the week be-
fore.
but, Mollie-' G
She turned abruptly away, and fastened :
lown the lobby, her heart thrObbing with ).
pain, and an uncomfortable lump rising in !.
her throat.
He must not know how she was suffer- :,
ng; above all he must not see her cry:
'he had discarded him with the scorn he :.
and he must never know what :,
,ain it had cost her; so she hurried ON to :.
he cloak-room, hoping to reach Its friend :
Y shelter ere the threatened flood of tears
anne. a
She was startled by hearing voice - -
ay: =
'Where are yoii going, Jessie? You T. T.
aid you would be back in half an hour, =.
nd now find you rushing along as if " !"
'ou were mad. What is the meaning of - -
his p !"
Mollie looked up and saw a court cos :"
ume before her, exactly like the one worn !
" Charlie. =.
Instead ofreplying, she turned quickly, -
astened back to the lobby, where Charlie " "a
7as still standing. looking downnast and p'
ld; she half ran to him. and throwing 81
erself In his arms. burst into tears, not Of g
orrOw. but ofjoy. b bl
Before she had time to say word, the tn
entleman who had taken her for Jessie,
me up to them: but when ne cot one