The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-06-12

LEoNIE.
Mis- Cameron

p.
Miss Cameron. f"
Leonie Cameron, lazily looking out Of q
bow window upon n garden flaming with
autumn tfnts and sunset glow, lifted .
pair OF soft dark eyes to Mrs. Tollmnn's
lace. 1t was an anxious face Just at that
moment. and, being usually full Of placid
Leonie. So, after her first careless glance,
she Strengthened herself in her low chair,
and said. quietly, yet with every ppe
nee Of interest
What Is the matter ?"
An awkward pause followed that ques-
ton.
Mrs. Tollman 6dgeted under the inquir-
ing glance Of the lark eyes, cleared her
throat twice, and finally said, with nervous
emphasis
John Furber."
Il was . very beautiful face, with prde for
. leading expression Sweetness lurked in
the mouth, intellect benmed from the radi-
ant dark eyes, but pride shadowed ALL 1t
carried the small head gracefully erect, it
swept the folds Of the rich dresses with q
regal motion. 1t touched the small patri-
clan hands, and wns evident in the well
moduIated tones OF the refined voice.
There" Mrs- Tollman said, despair
ingly, Five made, you mad already, and
haven't said anything"
there certainly lurked q smile In her mouth
ut the good woman's CONSERVATION ; " hut
you have not told me what troubles YOU"
It's-its-John. Miss Cameron, and"
then rapidly, a. II the words were forced
by q fear Of her own inability TO finish her
self-appointed task, she hurried on Hes
my nephew. Mas, as you know, Though
his father is . rich man, very rich, and
John IL above his mothers place In her
life. She's dead, md John was spoiled
somewhere between the year she died and
two years ago. 4 don't know where he
took 70 bad ways He was brought up an
idleness to drinking, gambling and bad
wAys is an easy road. His father "a q hard
man and he thrust him out nearly . year
ago and disinherited him. He came here
for love him. I've nothing else to love /;
husband and children in the graveyard, SO
/ love John"
There was q piteous pleading in the wo-
mans face, but Leonie's was blank, save
for an air Of polite interest.
HE WINS most desperate when he came
here, but I've coaxed him up 4 little. But
-butr-0, Mias Cameron, you know whit 1
want to say. You are beautiful, rich-a
lady far above me in education and posi-.
ton, and only staying here for country
quiet. I've no right to find fault, but
-but-don't fiirt with John. lie il in
trouble, respondent, disinherited, and
he's falling in love with you as fast ms
he can. l believe il you play with him,
he win kill himself, body and SOUL"
Fairly out OF breath with her own
earnest utterance, Mi. Tollman paused,
looking pleadingly in Leonie Cameron's
face. The expression Of polite interest
never waved, as that young lady said
i l understand you Alright. you
wish me to ignore your nephew. 1t is
not 80 easy, as he is in your house, SO l
had better leave It,"
Goodness |" cried the widow, aghast
1t this Interpretation Of her words. al
never meant that. Where can you find an
other boarding place near here
81 can return to London"
1--WE put my foot in 1t. John will never
forgive me" said Mrs. Tollman, disconso-
lately.
But there was no sympathy in Leonie's
face, and she turned away at last, per.
picked and more omxious than ever. And
Leonie, sinking back in her chair agnin,
looked at the sunset cloud and variegated
foliage, and thought perhaps it was time to
return to London.
She had conn to s., weary with n
round Of fashionable life, tired Of f~attery,
dancing, flirting, and she had found rest
and quiet under Mrs. Tollman's motheriy
care. She was rich, richer far than the
landlady had any idea of; but she had no
near relatives, only a second cousin to keep
her lonely home and play propriety.
Society constituted itself her amateur
guardian, and, lying back in her cushioned
chair, In the sunset glow, she wondered In
dolenty what society would say about John
kurber. 1t would grant him q rare perfec-
hon OF manly beauty Of face and form, and
forgive the evident traces Of dissipation, IL
1t was only known that he was the son Of a
rich man, and had been educated nm idler
BY profession. But in what holy horror il
would turn away with uplifted hands when
1t wna kmovn that he was ~disinherired
With no home but n room in the house Of a
widowed aunt eking out her narrow income
BY taking In boardersl 1t would smile ut
his biting sarcasm, his brilliant conyersa-
tion, cynical meers, IL he was reinstated in
his fathers favor, but how rude these would
be In . poor man
Leonie. from thinking Of s~ociety's opin.
ion, quite unconsciously glded into consid.
ering her own The dark-browed man had
made . fair portion Of her simmer pleas
uro xoE turce honbo4, nAu Deen ner cava-
Her In many country walks, drives, and
sails, had quoted poetry under trees sung
in . mperb baritone upon murmuring
waters, looked into her eyes on . moonlt
porch, and whispered delicately -woried fat
terry. No morn han many another man
had done. A beauty and rioh, Mis- Cam
eron had looked upon more than one lam
gushing sutton, and forgotten him when
her amusement wearied her. Scarcely q
firt-for abe encouraged no downright
love-making, but q beautiful fascinating
woman Who wounded hearts with msr1ly
careless grace.
Musing in tae sunset II was impressed
upon the proud heart that unconsciously
~ had poisoned . life that was already
1nAdng. There were capabilities for bester
thing than dissipation or suicide in John
Fuzbcr. and she shivered y she thoueht he
might b upon some Dangerous precipice.
uafffng for .che clasp Of the hand to draw
him 80 rita repulss 10 throw him over.
She paasod IN Irevisw her host Of NAE
friends, md found none who had weakened
her heart 70 houu of such keen pleasure a.
John Furbef ~ gfvsn heE. She tiled 70
recall nus mind whoSo nan of fufeIlect