The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-08-19
REVENGE IS SWEET.
by L. J.

II believe he has made love to every
girl in the village" cried Bel Rath:
bourne. "It's perfectly scandalousw
"He told me last night that I was
the sweetest girl he ever met" said
Tiny Salter.
"He has assured me fifty times, if
once, that if could not love him, he
would never survive!'
This from Daisy Howard.
"He loves me madly, passionately,
devotcdly, but has never reached the
momcntous question, wilt thou be
mine?'" declared mischievous Bel.
"And never WILL" answered Daisy.
The three girls looked at one an
other and burst into chorus of laugh
ter.
They were ensconced in Bells snug
little sitting room, whithcf they had
repaired for regular good chat."-
They were firm friends, and all three
the pets Of the village.
Pretty, and sweet, and full Of spirit,
they were adorcd by the young fell
lows and envied by the girls and to
think that they should all apparently
be the victims Of one man was little
too ridiculous.
The subject of their discussion was
q young gentleman who was rusticat-
ing for a few weeks in their neighbour
hood: Handsome, we'll educated, and
rich, was it wonder that every one
"went wild" over him, and that lie was
courtcd and .feted until it was enough
to turn any mans head.
But it did not turn Horace Fern.
lcigh's. Oh, no! He was used to it,
and he rather enjoyed it. It was his
boast in his private club that he had
made more love to more girls and bro
ken more hearts than any other young
man of his set, and here he was in his
element.
MI. Horace was sauntering slowly
toward the Rathbourne mansion on the
very day and hour when three of his
Victims were "raking him over the
Goals" in manner that would have
been decidedly startling to his COM
placency could he have heard them.
"He ought to be punished in a way
that would be lifelong lesson to
him." declared Tiny. "Why he has
almost broken my heart"
And looking the very personifica-
ton Of grief, she shed an imaginary
tear.
He actually believes that have sue
culnbed to his charms laughed BEL
"You ought to haze seen me, girls.
when he told me that he loved me. I
blnshed and stammered in truly con-
ventional style, while all the time !
was dying to laugh. If he only would
fall in love with one of us, then we
might find some way to serve him as
he deserves, but Pm afraid he's imper-
meablc. His hearts encrusted in such
Oh awfnlly thick coating of self-es-
"tcem that it would be impossible to
penetrate it. He'll disappear sudden
ly some day, after he thinks he has
done his work well, and we'll never
see him more. All, I wish I could
make him love eUoultm't scorch
him!"
"That sounds like you, BEL" came in
an amused boys voice from behind the
window curtain, and out stepped her
sixtcen-ycar-old college brother, home
On a fortnight's vacation.
With rush the girls were on him,
pounding him with their little fists,
and hugging him in the same breath,
tor he was favorite with them if he
was "only boy" and glad enough
they were to see him so unexpectedly,
If he had intruded into their secret
session.
IL had no idea you were so vindic-
tive, Bel" he renewed, when the greet
ings were over. "And who is the OBJ
)ect OF this bitter outbreak"
"Oh, Mr.. Horace Fernleigh-a city
gentleman who is spending q few
weeks in our suburban retreat. He's
regular lady-killer, and is trying his
charms on us as we'll rs the rest Of the
girls"
"Rather new role for you three
the heartbroken instead Of the heart
breakers, and suppose you don't rel
.ish it much, ell, girls'?'
IF we could but be avenged" groan-
ed Tiny. "But to think Of his imag-
lining that he is leaving us all crushed
makes me fairly Wild"
"You are ri ght there. Revenge is
sweet. Let me help you. What do
you say to having him make love to
meW
To yous" came from all three sim.
.nltaneously. "Why, Willie, what do
you n1ean?"
+ Don't you think I would make q
1irst-rate girl? A regular heart break.
err You needn't look so astonis1ed.
I have taken girls part more than
once In our theatricals at college on
account Of my smooth face and slender
figure, and l tell you make up stun
ming, if I do say it. I've got it down
TO fine point, voice and all. Bel,
where's the wig ] left here at the last
termT
"Willie, you're an angell" cried
la c... Ro ,; ye@ really believe you
"Ratherl Let's begin operations at
once: BY St. Patrick, isn't that he
coming in at the gate?''
Tiny few to the window.
- ut is indeedl Willie, why aren't
you dressed now, 20 that you could
;bo9in your siege az os~e."
j. aBe], 60 down at once and entertain
the gentleman until your cousin from
Devonshire comes down." commanded
VIII; 'sand mind you encourage. him
to make all the love he can; and YOU
two stay here and dress me-" r d..
-, !. on don't want him to know vol
rc'in the house, do: your" said Bel.
" !, % Twenty minutes later there plided
into tho. parlor the sweetest witch of
shout eighteen summers that ever was,
and Del, introduced her a. my. cous.
! 3a1 Jennie y au&han, from pevonshire,
Inst lovely dark eyes she had. Ard
shinrnerin4 golden hairl Why, even
pretty Bel couldn't hold candle b
aherl Who could resist making him
self fascinating TO her2 And befots