Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-10-05
Herbert Warne'S Revenge.

bNbWNSh w thSh hOhiS
acquaintance 1t would have caused gen.
mne surprise could they have seen them
as they sat slpping coffee and smoklr z
cigarettes together one evening In N natty
little cafe In the American quarter of
Paris. Nothing is more striking than the
effect of meeting IN strange land one
whom you have known in your own. IL
a friend, he seems brother; and HIM for
whom you had felt 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 warmth of cordIality as
real, 10 outward seeming, as though it had
sprung from Years of closest intimacy.
'It's too bad" said Herbert, dribbling
few drops of brandy upon lump of
sugar blazing upon q spoon balanced over
his cup-''it's too bad. Victor, that you
should run away to morrow after this
pleasant accidental meeting. Couldn't
YOU stop few weeks, Just 10 brace up a
bit after your year OF High Dutch and
bad beer at that outlandish unlversityG
should think it would require a month, at
least, to take the taste ont OF your mouth. i"
''Ot which9-the lingo or the lagerl"
''Botb!" replied the other, with an en-
phasis indicative of the lmpartiality of his
aversion. Come, Torrens, be a good
fellow and stay till we've done Paris to-
gether"
Impossible" returned Victor; 81 have
an imperative engagement 10 keep"
"Oh put 1t off-an engagement can
always be postponed for pleasure"
"Not this one," said besides,
there can be no pleasure greater than that
of keeping it, " he was on the point Of add
ding, but checked himself, not caring 70
hint that his engagement was TO marry
Myra Carleton.
He and Myra had been long Detrothed;
and, now that Victor was about coming
home for good, the two had settled by
their letters the day on which their wed.
ding should take place.
'Remain a month, and I'll return with
you," urged Herbert Warne. IL, too,
have home engagement, but II can
wait"
"It's hardly as pressing as mine, then.
81 don't know" Herbert answered.
'Can anything be more important" he
whispered across the table, ethan an en-
agement to be married."
THAT as rather particular" aSsented
Victor.
Especially when the lady is not cnly
pretty, but rich"
''Do know herR"
81 hardly think so, sad Herbert.
"Her name ls-but no, Nin't mention it.
You see, our engagement ~ secret yet.
However, I'll give you a glimpse of her
picture; that won't be telling, will i'll"
Herbert Wayne produced handsome
locKet of which he touched the spring,
revealing a miniature of a bright, glrlIsh
face surprisingly beautiful and charming.
Victor started as though an adder had
stuug him. The face was that of Myra
Carleton.
"And she. --she has promised to-to be
your-wifel" he gasped, ghostly pallor
overspreading his quIvering features.
"What an unfiattering question, my
dear felloNl Am l such an ungalnly
monster that every fair maiden, must,
perforce, be frightened at met"
"And and-she gave you that mi MIA
ture9"
''Iou don't suppose l stole 1t, do you,
TorrensP But what on earth's the matter,
mani Upon my word, you've strange
way of congratulating fellow on his good
fortunel"
Recovering himself with an effort, Vic
tor asked with forced calmness:
when Is your marriage to take placei"
tOhI as soon as 1 return. | haven't
been silly enough TO tie myself down to
day certain. l mean TO see little of
Paris first"
As soon as he could, Victor excused
himself and sought his lodgings. AT first
he thought of writing to tax Myra with
her perfdy; but on reflection he decided
to go his way In silence, concealing, as far
as practicable, from the falthless one the
misery she had caused him.
After a months wandering from one
European city to another, Victor at last
turned his face homeward. 1t his hearts
anguish was yet unassuaged, he had at
least learned to hide 1t.
Every day, as he neared his native land,
he telt his trepidation increase. He almost
wished he had renamed abroad. II
chance threw Myra In his way, would he
have the streneth to so conduct himself as
to convince her that she was completely
banished from his hearll This he was
resolved 10 do at any cost, bnt the ordeal
was one he dreaded,
The day Victor landed he met one of
his best and oldest friends, who returned
his greeting with GOODNESS and reserve so
marked that he could not forbear saying:
"You do not appear over glad To see me,
Jasper"
''If do not, returned the other, ''you
can scarcely be at loss for the reason"
"But assure you am at loss," ans :
wered Victor, eyelng his. friend curiously.
zone who engages the affections of an
artless girl and appoints a day TO marry
her, and then absents himself without q
word of explanation, leaving her to bear
as best she may the humiliation of such q
slight, and at laet to die of broken heart,
can scarcely wonder that any honorable
man should wish TO strike him from his
list OF fri nds."
''Do not tell me that Myra Carlton is
dead!' cried Victor, in q tone of agonlzed
appeal.
1T Is not yOltr merit that she ls not, :"
was the IeprOachful answer. ''Evcr since
that day, when IN her bridal robes she
waited your arrival, insisting to indignant
friends that some accident had detained
you, till, &C last, hope died even III her
hopeful heart, she has dropped and with
cred like a blight I'd rosebud, her only con-
ISOLATION being that grief kills at lastl"
GGRnt ~ roDl,ad VIotOr G.it x,oo nOf I