The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-03-02
HERBERT WARNE's REVENGE.


HERBERT WARNE's REVENGE.
Victor Torrens and Herbert Warne
were not a well-matched pair. Save in
age and social position there was little
in common between them and to their
home acquaintance it would have caus-
ed a genuine surprise could they have
seen them as they sat slipping coffee and
smoking cigarettes together one evening
in a natty little cafe in the American
quarter of Paris. Nothing is more
striking than the effect of meeting in a
strange land one whom you have known
in your own. If friend, he seems a
brother; and him for whom you had
felt but Indifference before, you greet as
cherished friend.
And SO these two young men, whose
intercourse at home had never exceeded
the bounds of distant civility, met each
other here with a warmth of cordiality
as real, to outward seeming, as though
it had sprung from years of closest inti-
macy.
''It's too bad" said Herbert, dribbling
q few drops of brandy upon a lump of
sugar blazing in spoon balanced over
his cup-''its too bad, Victor, that you
should run away tomorrow after this
pleasant accidental meeting. Couldn't
you stop few weeks. just to brace up a
bit after your year of High Dutch and
bad beer at that outlandish university?
1 should think it would requires month,
at least, to take the taste out of your
mouth" <.
s'Of which?- ?-the lingo or the lagerp"
'.Both p replied the other, with an
emphasis indicative of the impartiality
of his aversion. sCome, Torrens, be
good fellow and stay till we've done
Paris together"
s'Impossible;'' returned Victor; I
have an imperative engagement to
keep"
"Oh put it off-an engagement can
always be postponed for pleasure.
''Not this one," said Victor-"be-
sides, there can be no pleasure greater
than that of keeping it, he was on the
point of adding, but checked himself,
not caring to hint that his engagement
was to marry Myra Carleton.
He and Myra had been long betroth-
ed; and, now that Victor was about
coming home for good, the two had set
tied by their letters the day on which
their wedding should take place.
''Remain month, and fll return
with you,' urged Herbert Warne. Il,
too, have home engagement, but it
can wait
s'Its hardly as pressing as mine,
then"
Il don't know" Herbert answered.
"Can anything be more important, he
whispered across the table, ''then an en-
gagement to be married."
"That is rather particular, assented
Victor
Especially when the lady's not only
pretty, but rich"
esDo / know her p''
81 hardly think so," said Herbert.
sHer name is-but no, won't mention
it. You see, our engagement is a Sc
cret yet. However, I'll give you a
glimpse of her picture that won't be
telling, will it?''
Herbert Warne produced q handsome
locket of which he touched the spring
revealing miniature of bright, girl
ish face surprisingly beautiful and
charming.
Victor started as though an adder had
stung him. The face was that of Myra
| Carleton
'.And she-she has promised to-to
be your-your wife?" he gasped, a
ghostly pallor overspreading his CULVER
ing features.
s'What an unfiattering question, my
dear fellow! Am / such an ungainly
monster that every fair maiden must,
perforce, be frightened at me ?''
"And-and-shc gave you that mini
ature ?''
"You don't suppose stole it, do you,
Torrens? !? But what on earth's the mat
Ter, man ? Upon my word, you've 6
strange way of congratulating fellow
on his good fortuner'
Recovering himself with the effort
Victor asked with forced calmness
"When is your marriage to take
place P''
"Oh as soon as I return. l haven
been silly enough to tie myself down tt
day certain. l mean to see little O.
Paris first.''
AS soon as he conld, Victor excused
himself and sought his lodgings. A
first he thought of writing to tax Myr;
with her perfdy but on reflection hi
decided to go his way in silence, con
cealing, as far as practicable, from thu
faithlcss one the misery she had caused
him.
After months wandering from ON
European city to another, Victor a
last turned his face homeward. If hi
hearts anguish was yet unassuaged, HI
had at least learned to hide it.
Every day, as he neared his nativ
land, he felt his terpidation increase
He almost wished he had Remained
abroad. If chance threw Myra in hi
way would he have the strength to s.
conduct himself as to convince her tina
she was completely .banished from hi
heart ? This he was resolved to do q
any cost, but the ordeal was one h
dreaded.
The day Victor landed he met one G
his best and oldest friends, who return
ed his greeting with GOODNESS and re
serve so marked that he could not fol
bear saying.
''You do not appear over glad to Sc
me, Jasper"
''If L do rot" returned the Other
'you can scarcely be at loss for th
reason"
'sBut assure you, an, at loss,
answered Victor, eying his friend CT
riously.
Zone who engages the affections {
an artless girl and appoints day
marry her, and then absents himse
without word of explanation, leavin
her to bear as best she may the humili;
ton of such q slight, and at last to di
of broken heart, can scarcely wonde
that any honorable man should wish
| strike him from his list of friends"
'.Do not tell me that Myra Carleton
dead - cried Victor, in tone of ago
nized appeal.
at is not yoar merit that she is not,
was the reproachful answer. "Eve
since that day, when in her bridal robe
she waited your arrival, insisting to il
dienant friends that some accident ha
detained you, till, at last, hope die
even in her trustful heart, she has drool
ed and withered like a blighted rosebut
hnr only consolation heinn that rIi.