Connecticut western news., 1880-09-01
Col. LAKES REVENGE.

l had been foolish and weak, but not wicked, in my innocent coquetry with Leigh Lake. I say innocent, because I had imagined 1t sport to him as we'll as to myself. He had the reputation of . being not only the handsomest man in his regiment, but the greatest flirt, and laughed when he had been presented to me. and said, to myself, ssIt should in this case be diamond cut diamond. D Somehow my eyes had fallen under his first admiring glances, but I fortified myself with the thought:
 "So he always looks. It is the first move in his attack
 met glance with glance, smile with smile, and pretty speech with saucy re- tort or sentimental repartee, according 5 assone or the other could be delivered with more telling effect.
 Are you sincere?" he questioned. one evening. "Answer me frankly. If you are not, tell me so now"
 <" In other words," I answered. q throw down my weapons, acknowledge my unarmed condition, and smilingly invite you to advance to victory"
 No, he said, Sat your hands pre- fer defeat. You acknowledge, however, that you hold weapons-in other words. 5 that you wear a mask"
 No" replied, "I wear no mask. I carry no weapons. Be merciful, Colonel Lake"
 He-grew pale, and opened his lips as if to speak then hastily rising, and making brief adieu, he left me.
 For the first time was little fright ened, a little in doubt as to to it's being wholly matter of amusement to him little dubious as to how Roger would regard my conduct in the matter, for Roger played very important part in my life then, sinee-although 500 miles away-he had promised that on his re- turn would become his wife, and I de- termined on the Colonel's next visit l would turn the conversation into other channels.
 But had no opportunity to carry my good intention into effect. His first act. when he entered the room next evening. where I sat alone, was to cross directly in front of me, then to stoop and take both my hands in his.
 You asked me last night to be mer- cifuli'' he began. 'sGod help you ii you did not mean those words. They have been ringing in my ears ever since. Child, do you know do you dream, how love you? You have raised in me the first passion of my life, though I am to. day thirty-fye years of age. What a little, frail thing you are, and yet you hold in these little hands strong mans destiny. Speak to me, love ! Tell me that my wife is here before mel"
 In that moment my coquetry took wings and fled away, and Tn it's place came dull realization of what I had done. strove to draw my hands from his. As well might I tried to have dis lodged stone imbedded for centuries in the mountain side. My self-possession forsook me. In my fright I blundered out the worst possible thing Icould have said
 cannot do that. I cannot be the wife of two men thought you knew l was engaged"
 A look of steely, icy contempt flashed into his eyes. He wrung my fingers an instant until I cried out with the pain, then he threw them from him and folded his arms across his breast.
 You dare to tell me this," he said, in low, concentrated tones. z Answer me one question. What mean, pitiful mo. tive has made you to do this thing?',
 " ] did not know you were in earnest, ,