Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1879-03-06
an evening party. some three months

later, which fell upon Nellie. Rivers
listening ear.
She had seen the picture of which
they spoke. The lovely painted face
rose once more before her-the half
laughing mouth, the delicate nose.
the passionate, luminous eyes, the
hair ripping in dark waves over the
low white brow, making the perfect,
bewitching whole.
And this was the meaning of his in
difference when she would have made
atonement for the past-for girls
folly, who did not know herself, and
who had learned the lesson only
only through four years of bitter suf-
fering, of which this was the end.
dreaming, Miss Nellie, and alone!
What does this mean?"
1t was his voice which broke upon
her reverie, his eyes resting on her,
from whom, at any cost, she must
hide the truth.
81 am growing DID," she answered,
lightly. Like yourself, l have put
away childish things, though, unlike
you, have not assumed fresh re-
sponsibilities upon which, by-the-
way, believe you are to be congrat-
ulated, although you hardly deserve
it for keeping such a secret from
your friends"
"You speak in enigmas. OF what
do you speak?'
''If so, it is Spanish enigma, and
painted in very lovely characters,
however cabalistic they may be-"
"Oh!" sudden light breaking in
upon hin; "you speak of my picture.
And does rumor give her to me as
my bride? [ am indeed, then, open
to your congratulations. But come;
as am not yet Benedict, may I
not have this waltz"
''And this is my revenge?" thought
} Thornton May, ss few hours later
he sat alone in his bachelor apart
ments, moodily surveying the dying
embers in the CRATE. 81, who fam
cied her voice could no longer thrill,
or her beauty move me, have but
} rivetel the CHAINS L thought struck
off from me forever. Tonight how
, indifferently she congratulated me
I upon my supposed engagement!
, Had things been different, how charm
ingly my pretty model might have
l helped out my plan! 1 will put the
ocean again between us, ere, in my
J weakness, once more give her the
right to mock me-"
, "Going away, Mr.. May? Have
5 you tired so soon of your old friends
that you must desert them? But
; forgot-some one is waiting for you."
/ Spite of herself, thrill of sadness
] rang through the girls tone. She
had known that this must come, yet
: the shock was none the less keen.
r ''Yes," he answered. 81 must
, once more say good-by; but this
} time, Miss Nellie, hope you will
add God-speed! l have not forgot
: our last parting, though hope my
: folly has long ceased to be remem-
bered. You were right. 1t was a
! boys presumptions, and Unjust thank
: you for my lesson"
: This was almost more than she
4 could bear. For a moment tears
. shimmered in the dark eyes, a sob
n rose in her throat but she answered,
bravely:
ut is who should rather ask
e your pardon for girls idle vanity,
! who knew not the meaning of her
own words, but who through them
has been the only sufferer. Good
5 by, Mr. May, and God-speed!"
f She the only sufferer! What could
| she mean?
3 For moment wild hope crossed
his mind, to be extinguished the next,
! as he glanced into the calm face, and
the eyes from whence all trace of
J tears had fed; but at the hall
door, a moment later, he pauses.
He will return, to disabuse her
: mind of this idle folly as to his en-
gagement. So, again crossing the
: hall, and mounting the stairs, he
stands upon the threshold of the
room he has left so short a time be-
} fore. But oh, how changedl
Down upon her face lies the figure
of the girl who has haunted him all
these years, while sob after sob
racks her frame.
} "Nellie!" he says; and at his voice
she springs in an instant to her feet.
''How dare you?" she cries how
dare you come back? Did you want
J an added triumph? Was it not
enough to taunt me with the past, to
show me how gladly you could recall
it, but that you should add this to
the tale you will pour into the ears of
your Spanish bride?"
Imperuously, eagerly, the words
burst from her trembling lips, he to
whom they were addressed standing
transfxed.
His revenge was in his hands at
last. The moment had come to
mock her, as she had mocked him;
but surely the light growing in his
eyes has no mocking ray, as he clasps
the sobbing girl close TO his heart
SIS this true, my darling?" he
says; "and has our game been cross
purposes all this weary time? Oh,
Nellie, my pride would have kept me
silent, had you not shown me your
secret. / had meant, my darling, to
teach you, if L could, to love me, but
l forgot / had learned the lesson
long ago-a lesson whose sweet teach
ings will guard all my future life
Thus, with lip pressed to lip, and
heart to heart, her sobs now sobs of
happiness, Thornton May wreaked
his revenge.
"Can q man belong to brass band
and be christian ?''asks an exchange.
We see no impediment. But if he is
given to practicing at home, it is an
e, a