The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1878-06-14

fore he met Fred, and his head, which
then had been raised proudly, was
now bent forward deiectedly; for
dark cloud had suddenly arisen, which
threatened to overshadow forever the
bright morning Of his happiness.
Fred watched him pass on with a
ssrdonic smile, and thought TO him.
self, "Ah, my fine fellow, there's ma
ny a slip twixt the cup and the lip
rs you may find to your cost; and then
you viii know the consequences Of
standing in the way of Fred Actonl"
That evening,in her luxurious home,
Nellie watched and listened in vain
for the familiar footsteps she had learn
cd to know so we'll; and she retired 10
res: at last, sad and dispirited, and
with dim sense Of impending troub-
le, that was yet too vague To shape IT.
self into connected thought.
The next morning, as the family
were gathered around the breakfast
table,a servant entered the room with
a note addressed to "Aliss Pomeroy.
Grasping it eagerly. spasmodically.
Nellie tore IL open, and with blanched
face read the following laconic note:
NELLIE: All is over between ms.
Thank God, / have discovered your
per6dy before il was too late. / had
the fullest confidence in you Nellie;
but that Is past now.
| leave for France tomorrow, new
err, trust, to revisit this country,
which would now he bat sad home
for me.
Your once.devoted lover,
Guy HARTLEY.
Mr.. and Nrrs. Poiieroy; occupied IN
their own conversation, had not notic-
ed the sudden paling of their daugh-
tiers face. as she huriiedly scanned the
familiar writing, till, as she reached
the fatal termination, her eyes closed
and, with low moan Of agony, she
sank to the floor in desth-like swoon.
Z I: = - = =
For FIVE years Guy wandered thro'
Europe; for five years he vainly
strove to find forgetfulness and happi-
ness in constant excitement and change
of scene; but, failing in this, he had
at last resolved to visit again the land
of his birth, it only to mark the raw
ages which time had made among his
old friends. So he returned to Lon
don.
Not once had suspicion of Fred
Actions treachery crossed his mind,
for TO Guy he had always shown the
better part of his nature; besides, the
proof of Nellie's duplicity had SEEM
ed too conclusive TO admit Of any lin
gering doubt his love might have sug-
gested.
And Nellie! Thrown into a nerv.
Gus fever by the cruel note from Guy,
she wavered long between life and
death; but, finally, her perfect consti-
tuition gained the victory, and she
again mingled in the gay world of
fashion; hut n certain sadness was
perceptiblc in her manner. and wea-
~ look in her blue eyes showed that
her heart was not interested in the
gay scenes by which she was surroun-
ded.
Vainly had Fred Acton sued for
her hand. Feeling that he was in
some manner connected with Guys
behavior, she had only
'corn to give him. At first, she had
hoped that some trivial act of hers
had displeased Guy. and he would
,oon return. but as the weeks rolled
On. and no word came from the alb
,ent one she finally ceased TO expect
him.
Fred Acton afier repealed refusal.
rom Nellie had at last given nm all
,opes of winning her hand; but, low.
no her still, as much as his selfish ma.
ure was capable of loving, he attemp.
ed 10 drown his sorrow in the wine
,up; and, with drinking and fat hor.
.l