The Russellville Democrat., 1880-09-09
COL. LAKES REVENGE,

COL. LAkES S KENEAGE.
 had been foolish and weak, but not wicked, in my innocent coquetry with Leigh Lake. l say innocent, because l had imagined it sport for him as well as 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, "It shall in this case De diamond cut diamond"
 Somehow my eyes had fallen under his first admiring glance, but l fortified myself with the thought:
 ''So he always looks. It is the first move Tn lis attack"
 met glance with glance, smile with smile, and pretty speech with saucy re- tort, or sentimental repartee, according ly as one Or the other could be delivered with rlore telling effect.
 Are you sincere?" he questioned, one evening. Answer me, frankly. If you are not tell me so now"
 Tn other worlds" l answered, throw down my weapons, acknowledge my un- armed condition, and smilingly invite you to advance to victory"
 "No," he said. At your hands pre- fer defeat, You acknowledge, however, that you hold weapons-in other words, that you wear mask"
 "No,n replied, "I wear no mask. 1 carry no weapon. Be merciful, Col. Lake,
 He grew pale, and opened his lips as if to speak, then, hastily rising, and making briet adieu, he left me.
 For the first time was little fright enetl; a little in doubt as to its 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 Tn my life even then, since-although five hundred miles away-nc had my prom ise that on his return l would become his wife. and 1 determined on the colo nel's next visit would turn the conver- sation into other channels.
 But had no opportunity to carry my good intentions into effect. His first act. as he entered the room, the next evening where l 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 merci- full" be began. God help me if you did not mean those words. They have been ringing in my ears ever since Child, do you know-do you dream how 1 love you? You have raised in me the first passion of my life, though am to-day thirty.five years of age. What 9 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 me!' In that moment my coquetry took wings and fled away, and in it's stead came dull realization of what l hac done.
 I strove to draw my hands from his As we'll might have tried to dislodge { stone imbedded for centuries in tho mountain side. My self-possession tor sock me. Tn my trlght I blundered ou the worst possible thing l could have said:
 q cannot do that. I cannot be tho wife of two men! 1 thought you knew was engaged"
 A look of steely, icy contempt flashed into his eyes. He wrung my fingers al instant until l cried out with pain, ther threw them from him and folded hi arms across his breast. You dare tell me this" he said, II low, concentrated tones. Answer m one question. What mean, pitiful mo tive has made you do this thing2"
 q did not know you were Tn earnest, replied, remembering, as l spoke, hoy hard had tried to make him so-thougl never in my inLermost thoughts, to thi extent-neyer, as the Great Father my judge. to blast his future, or to brln about his mouth the white lines of agon now drawn there.
 "I thought a moment ago." he ar swered then, very slowly, that Tn m life had no other prayer to make ! heaven. make one VOW, and that Il that may live to see you suffer throug your love as you have dealt suffering me in mine"
 His words sounded like curse. The filled the room, and oppressed my yer soul with Q nameless dread and q haun ing presence of the future.
 Shivenng, l buried my face In m hands. When lifted it l was alon Col. Lake had left me.
 When Roger comes home l will te him an about it," l whispered to m. self.
 But somhow, when three months lat Roger came, had so muchelse to thlil of, in the busy preparations for my ma rlaEe, and my sky was so blue, tiiat could not bear to risk upon us a sing cloud
 The colonel's words seemed very i'd now. As though any misery could gro out of the deep heart-love Roger and felt for each other! How small, no unworthy of him and of myself, h been my idle coquetries of the pai Never EGnd. l had all my future atone.
 Then came my wodding-day; when U outer world gave me it's smihng beniso m bright eunshine and balmy breez'
 was Iioacrs now--his very own and could have deled the universe, my eSqusite happiness.
 SiX months la.er my husband enter our lit.e sitting room, one mornii bearing jl his hand letter stamp N'th on olielal seal.
 Be, aid be--lny name was Beatri but l wac too undigniiied for its poss'