The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-11-17

the most Mr.. CORTLAND, however, seemed to
regret having shown so much feeling, for his
manner changed.
4 hope you will oblige US by singing, Mr..
Valentine, he said, stif1y.
OF course sang, although was tempted to
refuse, and leave the house instead How could
[ refuse Miss CORTLAND? Her voice was ex-
quislte-sympathetic 1t made me feel as
though [ could confde in her. What
if I should Yes, and be cut the
next time we met I felt painfully
the chasm that divided us, gentle and cor
dial as she was, and left as soon as the song
was over l wonder whether | shall see her
again?
Feb. 81 have been out several times this
week. and twice have met Miss Courtland
Her uncle never goes out, and Mrs. Delaney
chaperons her She always seems glad to see
me. and certainly has the most charming man
ners. Never mind the fact of nay being
whited sepulchre. Let me enjoy the goods
the gods have sent me. That COMPOUNDED
Mort0nl he is always at Miss Courtland's
elbow, and when he succeeds in engaging her
to dance before I do, he looks at me with LIS
insolent smile.
Feb 15-Morton's malice is unspeakable.
Feeling convinced as do that he suspects my
secret, it is positive torture to see him talk to
Miss CORTLAND as he did last night He evil
IDENTIFY spoke of me, and listened to him look
ing at me meanwhile with surprised express
sion. That man has me in his power.
Feb 90 feel that it is unprincipled
to send Miss CORTLAND flowers, for TWO
reasons-frst, because I can not do it
and pay my bills as well; secondly, be-
cause it adds to my deception in making
friend of her, and yet I can not resist the
temptation to show her my admiration.
Feb. 21.-Matters are coming to climax.
Last night Miss CORTLAND said, with digni-
fed sweetness that was irresistible: sMr. VAL
entine, I have noticed that you have never
been to see me- I have not asked you,
because I supposed you would feel at liberty
70 come after having dined with my uncle"
Il assure you, Miss Courtland,"I said, II
should of course have done SO, but the truth is
I have had slight misunderstanding with
your uncle, and do not feel that can go to
his house"
Of course L added lie to the rest of my
duplcity. Her face was lighted with charm
ing smile @Ihat is no reason for not coming;
you owe my uncle call at all events. 1 will
be at home to-morrow-no, Thursday after
noon. Come in about five O'clock, and will
give you cup of tea Ny uncIe is never at
home until six o'clock, and when he does come
in, never sees visitors. Even if you do meet
him, it will be good opportunity to make
your peace with him."
In a kind of dream recklessly consented.
Morton came pushing up at that moment.
"By the way, Miss CORTLAND" he said,
"will you be at home Thursday afternoon?
If so, with your permission, will call upon
you"
Of course he had overheard me, and wished
to irritate me. Fortunately some one spoke
to Miss CORTLAND at that moment, and she
turned away without having heard Morton.
For once my anger famed out caught him
by the arm, and held it like wise.
"Be careful" I said, between my teeth.
&This sort of thing may go too far.
He gave me furious look, and shaking me
off, left the room.
world is upside down. There is no use in
trying to Sleep I will write down what has
happened It may calm me. This evening,
when 1 entered the house, where [ was to en-
terrain others at the expense Of my self-re-
spect, found [ was before the time The
rooms were empty, with the exception of my
hostess, a very old lady, who held a formida-
BILE ear trumpet in her hand Preceding me
down the brightly lighted room was a gen.
tleman. There was something unpleasantly
familiar in the cut of his coat and the
carriage of his head 1t was my evil genius
Morton. 1 made up my mind to wait until
some one else came before going in. AS
stood in the background this scene was enacted
| before me:
Morton bowed. The old lady looked blankly
at him.
Il am Mr. Morton, madam" said he
| She continued to stare at him, and then held
out her trumpet Morton took it, and repeated
his words into it's depths
"Horton?" she said, interrogatvely.
"Morton," he called.
ooh yes, LaWton-Mr. LaWton"
"Morton!" he fairly shouted
ooh yes," she said, intelligence breaking
over her face. "Morton-Mr Morton from
the Globe Office Where's the other? There
were to have been two. Just take care Of your
SELF please, for moment / have to go and
see about something"
She tottered out of the room, and Morton,
turning, confronted me. He saw that I had
overheard all. Before could speak he came
! toward me with an air of desperation.
"For Heavens sake don't betray me,
Valentine, now that you know my secret !"
ne exclaimed. VI nave felt from the frs
that you suspected-that was in your power
l throw myself on your mercy. In your safe
and prosperous condition yoJ DON'T know
you can't know-what a frightful position
! am in"
| NV face must have changed in some CHASTITY
manner as he spoke, for he stopped an(
looked at me with deepening CONSERVATION.
| "What is it? What's the matter?" he asked
I saw my mistake, and tried to look uncon.
cerned, but at that moment the old lady came
back into the room.
sob, there's the other" she said, as she
saw me. ellis names Valentine, SO that's al
right"
Several people came into the room, and she
went forward to greet them Morton looked
at m8 in dazed silence for minute; then he
seemed to master his astonishment by {
mighty effort.
&c., he said, huskily, "we are quits. I an
in your power, but you are equally in mine
Be careful how you interfere with me-"
We did not speak again together during thu
evening. What is to be the end of this? To
morrow l go to see Miss CORTLAND, and I hav'
made up my mind to confess everything. Per
haps she will think no worse of me. Thu
queen still loved Ruy Bias after she found h,
was lackey
What nonsense am dreaming of?
Feb 23.-The game is up. went this after
noon to Mr.. Courtland's house, and found Mis-
CORTLAND at home, alone She was in din
little room, with the freight Pickering on he
beautiful face She saw that was constrained
and anxious, and at once asked me the reason
Something in her kind manner broke down m,
composure. ass
Miss CORTLAND" said, chow would yol
feel if I were to confess that have been de
ceiving you-that I not what I seem to be?"
What do you mean?" she asked anxiously
%Tell me first" said, chat whatever tel
you, you will still be my friend, and will be
lieye me when I say that have not wished tt
deceive you-that have bitterly regretted it.
She looked at me with frank smile. "Yol
may depend upon me-"
In few words 1 told her everything
from the time of my going to the Glob
Office up to that moment She listened
gravely; then she turned to me again with
smile.
"You have told me nothing dishonorabl
(although you can surely find something bette
to do), and l will still be your friend I an
glad you told me, for Mr.. Morton said some
thing about you last night that made m
fear"
This was too hard, and interrupted her
"Morton!" I said "Morton is the last per
son to dare to say anything against me-"
Here [ checked myself, but Miss CORTLAND
curiosity was aroused.
"What do you mean?" she asked
Nothing" | said. Il will not talk O
Morton; it is enough that you are still m
friend"
Certainly am," she said
She held out her hand as she spoke, and
took it and raised it to my lips. At the sam
moment two people entered the room by diff
ferent doors. One was Mr.. CORTLAND; tn
other, Morton. Mr.. CORTLAND seemed stupe
fed with establishment, for he stood motion
less. but Morton strobe toward me-
"How dare you'll" he gasped. Il will expos
YOU"
His audacity was too much for my self
control
Morton" said, in a low tone, %as YOU
position is the same as mine, warn you to b
careful of what you say"
spoke louder than I intended, and Mis-
CORTLAND heard nv words She 5ave Morto,