The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-06-30

odd mixture of friendliness and cold
ness which he could not possibly under
stand. The fact was that everybody
had been reported by Lisle, on the
principle that all is fair in love and
war--a principle could never see the
truth Of.
Marie had intended to reject Paui's
next dinner invitation with melo dra-
matte scorn but when he asked her,
she thought of those dear little birds on
toast--ot champagne fIappe--of mer-
inpues a la creme and her Indignation
faded. She went to dinner, swallowed
her anger with the comes,ibles, and
was once more on the best of terms
with the young journalist.
But Paul was exceedingly frank
among his associates, and often express
ed his sentiments az freely as at the
break fast party | have described; so
Marie heard, through Lisle, Of many
light and flippant remarks concerning
her. OF course, her pride or vanity,
or something of that sort, was wound
ed; though a moments reflection would
have shown her that she had Paul in
exactly the same leger estimation
Not being given to reflection, however,
or. indeed, to any kind of analytical
thought, she was very wroth; and with
the skill of the expert actress, concoct-
ed plan whereby she might first de-
tect, then expose, and, lastly, humilate
him-a truly feminine revenge.
If Paul was insincere, and tritiing in
his expressions of devotion, he certain.
" was not miserly or mean in material
proofs. Money was to him only rep
resentative of pleasure, no matter what
it cost, his only question was: "Have
| enough money to procure it! If not
where can get enough :"
Marie, as it happened, was very fond
of diamonds, like most actresses. She
had seen beautiful single stone ring
in window on Broadway, and thought
of nothing else for week. One day
when she knew that Paul was in funds
she ;old him in delicate way, of he'
admiration of this ring. An hour aftel
he left her she received the jewel, with
his compliments. don't mean to say
that her knowledge of his having
money had anything to do with he
longing for the diamOnd-of course
r not; but merely state the fact as i
' was, and leave all inferences for Tho
reader to draw.
r But, in carrying out her revenge, sh'
accepted this gift with many thanks
:, and treated Paul charmingly whe'
r they met again; and he made an ap
pointment to dine with her, tete-a-tete
at her rooms he to furnish the dinner
r on the following day, at o'clock.
f When he sought the house, howeve,
on the morrow, he found a young maj
4 leaning in the doorway, who eyed hin
J. narrowly.
l. "Excuse me, SIR said the stranger
hesitatingly; "were you going up t
n see Miss Coventry
81 was, sir.
o "Wel, she told me that she wa
:. compelled to disappoint you for half a
d hour. She is called away by urgeu
business connected with the theatre an
n cannot return before $50, or maybe,
e O'Clock"
: "H'm that's bad
"She left the key with me, sir, an
said you could wait in her room if yo
g liked.
e swell, | might as well, suppose,
e They ascended together, Paul won'
ering who this fellow might be. Eute
t. ing the room, the stranger sat down /
l. window, opposite Paul, and SCENE
., strongly inclined to inaugurate fami
+ lar conversation.
rs 'Nice little parlor, sir" he said; "tl
l. lady lives comfortably"
II "Yes."
j. you are Mr.. Ryder, are you not?'
r "Yes."
j, "Ah, thought so I've often hea
. your name before
IL "Yes."
81 have. indeed, sir; and general
ID coupled with that of Miss Coyentr
n You are old friends, believe!
Eyes"
"She talks great deal about yo
sir. If you would not think me il
pertinent, | should say she had mo
than passing fancy for you! No {
fense-you'll excuse me, | hopc|
"Yes."
o. "Well, sir, I've seen less attract
ls, women; and suppose you have, too
!! "Yes."
1T "Report sets you down as being
gu great admirer of hers, sir"
"Yes."
ny "a mere Irritation, | imagine, :
IT, You are popular with the sex general
l understand, and can afford to Il
Nv with them, eh?"
ng Sir" said Paul, 81 do not know W
an you are, nor what your object is. Y
an question me very closely for chan
lea met stranger but let me tell you,
at what | am never ashamed to tell a
an body-that my affection for Miss &
entry is pure aud genuine as affect
'lt can be, l respect and admire her abb
ain all other women; for she alone kpc
ma how to vanquish a heart that ne
be knew love for another Whatever
he, may have heard about my triiiing "
zee, | har 10 haaalu untrua am only