The Red Cloud chief., 1881-07-14

SO hard 10 delude myself into the belief
that you are handsome. and / never
can il yAu look like that"
Taking no notice of her last remark,
Jack Strengthened himself and says
with decision, 81 have made up my
mind"
ITO marry Miss Leighton" inter-
rupted Nellie, doing her bcstto squeeze
a few tears into her eyes. Nellie is a
coquette, but TO do her justice, she is
very fond Of Jack.
81 have made up my mind" repeat
ed Jack.
well, you said SO before" impa-
tiently.
IL have made up my mind" again
repeated Jack, slowly, "tO write to
Miss Leighton and tell her that owing
TO a previous attachment ! am unable
TO comply with the conditions OF my
uncle will"
Jack, YOU dear, old darling" Civ
ing his hand a little squeeze, ut which
a smile lights up Jack Hastings plain
face, but it vanished on hearing her
next words. "How about the fortune,
Jack?'
Hang the fortune, repeated the
young man. and then al she looks du-
bious. Nellie, you don'tcare about the
money!"
mo, but ="
But what?"
"a little money is very nice TO have;
but. Jack, I had ever SO much rather
have you," smoothing his forehead with
her cool, soft hand.
IL know you would, Nellie; now
when shall il be, DEAR"
"Oh, not before you have seen Miss
Leighton"
but I never shall see her. she will
not want to see me after she receives
my letter."
..Oh, but l would rather you should.
just imagine your seeing her after our
marriage and falling i'm love with her, l
should de. Jack" and this time there
are tears i'm the blue eyes, but whether
Of grief or with mirth Jack cannot tell.
All his persuasion cannot move her, and
50 he leaves her.
As she watches his r~etrcating figure
her face dimples and smiles; she isquite
sure of her conquest, now, and is a lit
tie less jealous of Miss leighton.
The weeks sped swiftly by, and the
second week in September had arrived.
In two days Jack is 10 meet Miss Leigh
ton. for. Notwithstanding his letter, her
guardian has sent word that he thinks 1T
advisable for the young people to meet,
as Miss Leighton is anxious to make
some arrangement about the property,
and next Wednesday is set for the meet
ing.
He has taken his farewell of Nellie,
after swearing eternal fidelity; but she
is not fully convinced. She has pictured
Miss Leighton in glowing colors a a
beauty, with dark flashing eyes and a
stately figure, for since she is a relative
of Jacks, Nellie cannot get the idea out
of her head that she is a brunette, and
is certain that Jack will fall in love with
the young lady on the spot. She ends
by asking him in pathetic tones, What
mil then be left for me to do" adding
TO Jacks misery.
The night has ut last arrived, and
Jack has spent 4 longer time than usual
on his toilet and feels in a dissatisfied
mood as he rides along towards Beacon
street. At last the carriage stops, Jack
is admitted and shown into a small re-
ception room by n servant in livery.
He hears the low strains of a waltz, but
his attention is instantly caught by n
portrait which hangs Ove the mantel.
IL is the portrait of a lady; the face is
proud and intelligent, the eyes large.
dark and br liant; ~instinctively Jack
knows that it is a picture of Miss Leigh
ton. and he laughs to himself as he re-
calls Nellic's description of her. He
hears the rustic of a silk dress in the
hall and the original of the portrait.
only prouder. handsomer, if possible, is
standing beside him.
For a moment, Jack remained mo
tionless, his breath almost taken away
by the suddenncss of her appearance.
All his fine speeches fly to the four
winds.
III believe you wishedto see me"
he stammercd.
YES" Her voice is low and con-
trasting strangely with his. "Mr. Cary,
my guardian, thought it best, as he
wished you to know that it is over half
a million that you are refusing when
you refuse to-when you refuse the
alliance"
A soft flush covers face and throat, as
she speaks. She is very beautiful and
SO Jack must admit.
His thoughts fly back to q golden
head, and not for a moment does he
falter in his allegiance.
IL am unable to comply, rs l am to
be married to Miss Long in two weeks"
A smile curls the lady's lips.
Eyes. so Mr.. Cary informed me, and
we have decided to make over TO you q
portion of the fortune, for which l have
had a deed of gift made out"
She said this in rather a sarcastic
way, as she handed him the paper.
Something in the tone Offends Jack.
and taking the paper he deliberately
tears it up and throws it into the CRATE.
81 am obliged to you, Miss Leighton,
but you must excus me if / decline
your gift"
Utterly unprepared for this contin-
gency, the lady stands staring at him.
Feeling rather awkward, and not know
ing what to do, Jack bows and takes
his leave. The lady hides her face in
her hands and cries? no. laughs! Her
mental observation is, that he must, in
ded, be in love. Then she returns to
her guests, not without a feeling of
modification that, not only has she
been rejected herself, but her gilt has
been Indignantly thrown at her feet by
this naughty young man.
Jack has told Nellie everything, and
Nellie, at last convinced of his con-
stancy, is all the fondest lover could
wish.
They are to be married in 8 week;
Jack has bought a small house and fur
nished it as we'll as his means will per-
NIT. Nellie has been over it and
declared it to be the loveliest, contest
little house in the world. The wedding
is 10 be very quiet, they are to have a
few friends at the house, among others,
Raymond Lester, who mentally sets
Jack down rs the biggest fool on record.
It seems IS If nature had made a par
ticular effort on this day. or at least so
Nellie thinks as she returns home from
the church with back, now her husband,
TO their coy little home. As they
enter they are met by a servant who
hands them two cards Oh which are
written, .Miss Leighton and Mr.. Cary"
Y>.R hncomos dsOpiSod faolipn opito