Mexico weekly ledger., 1882-05-25
A WOMAN's HEART.

cosy rooms at nome.
In the parlor of the large, white
house facing the common there was
as stormy scene in progress as that
in which the elements were engaged
outdoors. 1t was comfortable room,
richly-not extravagantly-furnished
A bright fire burned in the CRATE,
casting a rich, warm glow over the
room.
Between the windows stood a man
Of perhaps % or 80 years and remark
ably handsome. His features were
perfect; a straight aristocratic nose,
a beautifully nodded chin, and just
curve of full, red lip, underneath a
soft, brown moustache. This was
Charles West.
Half-a-dozen PAGES from him stood
a young girl, clad in simple brown
dress. Hers was striking, not a
handsome face; the mouth was too
large; but her eyes! You forgot,
while looking into their depths, that
she was not beautiful. They we've
black now with excitement as she lis
tened to her companions words.
"And yet you loved me once,
Jane?" he said, with a low smile
creeping over his face and lighting up
his deep eyes.
"Loyed you? Yes, if it will be any
satisfaction to you to hear me say it.
1 loved you, heaven knows how madly
and blindly! worshipped you! I
would have died for you! My life
was one vast field of pure, unbroken
bloom until you came, and with ruth
less feet crushed all my flowers until
they were dead. I hung on your
every word and look and waited hum
grily for your smiles, which you gave
me; just as, in a charitable moment,
you would toss a handful of pennies
to beggar. And you stand there
with your insolent, smiling face, when
you know that you have been the
means of making all my life unutter-
ably wretched. Heavens! If were
man would strike you dead at my
feet!'' s,.. -
1t was the day previous to his de-
parture for London, and he had call
ed to say ''good-by." He thanked
her for the pleasure her friendship
had given him said it was just likely
that they would meet somewhere
again; he hoped they should. She
sat and listened with a white, still
face. She understood him perfectly.
He meant that the past was to 60 fo,
nothing. But when ne arose to 60
and laid his hand on hers with thu
hope that they might always bt
friends, all her anguish and wounded
pride flashed upon her face, ant
throwing his hand from her, sh'
cried: Friends! Never-never! 70,
land / can never be friends! Oh, ma,
1 only learn to hate you as yo,
deserved" 49, .
i And then he said: "And yet yo'
loved me once, Jane!''
/ Her answer I have already given
Three months later Charles Yves
married slender, delicate girl, wit
! fortune. He fell in love with he
money. Six months after, his brid
was laid in her grave, a victim
consumption.
Some three years passed away, an
up among the mountains of Cumbe1
land, Charles West again met Jan
Venner.
; When they met she recognized hi
{ bow by slight inclination of tn
head, and repelled all his attempts t
renew their friendship by her COO
quiet dignity.
: One evening party Of gentleme
met in one of the private rooms G
0 the hotel to play cards. By som
!. chance Miss Venner's name was mer
.. toned, and West, flushed with wine
2 caught at it.
> "Jane Venner? Egad, boys! di
e you know she was sweet on me once
Was, 'pon honor! She really told m
3 so, and accused me of breaking he
!, heart or something of that sort.
was quite romantic, 1 assure you !;
! and he laughed loudly and began t
!. shuttle the cards preparatory to dea
. !. ing, when across the table there cam
a voice with a thrill of indignatio
+ in it:
4 "Charles West, any man who woul
T. speak of lady as you have spoken {
t Miss Venner deserves to be horse
whipped.
"May / be allowed to inquire
Capt. Knowles intends to be persons
in his remarks?'' said West, with
e sneer. 9
"Sir," returned Knowles, in TIL
t same low voice, s'you are a meal
' contemplate puppy!'
There was a breathless silence for
y few moments, and then West salt
= in a low, musical voice, 81 will me
; Capt. Knowles at any place he ms
' appoint, tomorrow ut sunrise, ar
we will settle this affair. Maj. CIR
ham, will you do me the kindness
e act as my second? Perhaps How
8 will do the same for you, Cap
Knowles" EEEsYEf<z 1871
/ The two gentlemen assented, an