The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-06-24


rich, my child, this sorrow would not
have come upon you. But, mark my
words some time you will have your re-
venge.'
Fouryears have swiftly passed. Seated
in room in one of the popular hotels
in New York were two young men. Sud
denly one of them, looking out of the
window, exclaimed:
"Look, Aubrey See if you know
who that ladyis. What a lovely woman.
Do you know her?"
81 should think that 1 did, and think
myself honored that l do. She is the
belle of New York and the most beauti-
full girl 1 have ever known"
A smile curled Mark Norton's lips as
he turned from the window.
"You speak warmly, Aubrey" he said.
"You would not blame me for speak
ing warmly if you knew her." he an
swered. "Her history is romantic one,
If you like will tell it to YOU"
"Her name is Miss Flossy Thayer.
When first knew her she was not
wealthy, though in my eyes even then
her beauty surpassed anything that I
had ever seen. 1t was not long after
you went on your travels that an uncle
of mine, who had purchased place by
the sea, invited me to spend the summer
with him. 1t was a very quiet, secluded
village, and soon became acquainted
with Flossy. Not long after that the
old grandfather died, and my kind aunt
took the sorrowing girl into her house.
Ny uncle had the papers in his posses
sion of some mining shares that the old
gentleman had long deemed worthless,
which suddenly arose, first. to par, then
so widely above as to enable Flossy to
regain her footing in the world. AS be-
fore, all that the grandfather had
crumbled into powder, now all that he
had left was converted into gold"
As Mark Norton listened varied ex-
pressions fitted across his face. He
knew that the maiden whose heart he
had won and cast aside for his own
amusement and this beautiful heiress
must be one and the same person. Might
it not be that if he exerted his art of
fascination to the utmost he could soon
regain the love he had once held?
aubrey" he said, 81 should like to
meet this Miss Thayer. Could you
manage to present me to her ?"
That night the two friends entered
the drawing room, in which a brilliant
crowd was assembled. A little later
Mark Norton stood beside Flossy. She
had never looked more beautiful than
she did then in her creamy costume of
satin and feecy lace, looped with dia-
mond stars.
"Ali,s Thayer, allow me to present
you to Mr.. Norton"
Flossy bowed as to an utter stranger.
An instant her lip curled, and then she
hid it in an alluring smile.
GAS he has made me suffer, so shall
his suffering be-"
"She loves me STILL" thought Mark
Norton, proudly, as, later, he went out
into the starlit night. 81 feared 1 had
lost her, but 1 shall win her yet, How
lovely she is. I believe this time my
heart will be the stake !"
With proud confidence Mark but
waited the best time fitted for him to
speak the fateful words. At last the
opportunity was his. She smiled, as he
thought, with Joy as he asked her now
to give him his reward. Then the
smile turned into icy scorn, the look he
had interpreted of love altered into con-
tempt, the sweet tones grew harsh as in
q few cutting phrases she spoke the
words that doomed him.
81 love you, Flossy-believe me, I
love you for yourself" he replied, and
for once the man was sincere.
A look of scorn flashed from Flossy's
eyes rs she withdrew her arm from his
"Mr. Norton" she said, "your repent
nnce has come too late. AS l once loved,
| now despjse you"
Mark Norton's face flushed before the
contempt in her voice. He felt that she
had read Alright the selfish motive of his
false heart, Not long after Mr.. Norton
received letter and small packet con-
taiiing two cards tied together by a
knot of bridal ribbon. Upon one was
The name GLOSSY Thayer; upon the
other, "Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Merritt"
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