The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-06-02
MY LADY COOUEr.

Il ICuC w llS> "IEtt
does that mean? When last saw you
thoughts, and here you give me twenty
four hours notice of your departure on
an indefinite tour"
looking man. opened his dark eyes in
rmfeigned wonder as they rested on the
face of his friend.
"l've hardly given myself more than
twenty-four hours notice, Max. OF
course it's sudden notion, but to you,
the oldest.and best friend have in the
world, may as well own the truth,
though you need imagine it no secret.
"A very large portion of the fashionable
world thoroughly understands my mo-
tives. Pm hard hit, Max, and I've got
to go away. | want to feel an ocean
rolls between me and the woman who
has Tilted me.'
"Jilted yOu?'
eyes, Tilted me. It's not pretty
word, but Pm not in a frame of mind
to look through the dictionary for ano-
ther that means the same thing. Iloved
Nora Fielding with love you cannot
even dimly comprehend-you, who have
lived for more than thirty years I'M
moved by any woman's beauty, un-
thrilled by any woman's voice. I had
some reason, God knows, for deeming
my love returned. She smiled on me,
as only SOllllcSS women can smile; she
seemed glad when | came, sorry when
left her. Yet when, moved to mad
ness, put my love into words, she
smiled still, and told ME that my love
was folly. OF course, I should in that
moment have scOrned, despised her. So
| did, perhaps; but it made my love
none the less, my suffering no whit the
easier. | can't describe her to you,
Max. think she might entrap you in
her meshes."
"A coquet elitrap me? No, no, my
boy! Forewarned, forearmed. Suppose
we have little trial Of skill and this
slayer of mems hearts. You've left her
at the beach, have you nOt2 / was Just
contemplating little trip seawartl.
What do YOU say, old fellow? Suppose
you put your revenge in my handS?''
"You may make the attempt, Max,
right willingly; but don't let the flame
scorch you, III breasting it for my sake
Make her suffer, but see to it that she
entails no pain on YOU"
"Iou forget, my boy, that you have
Dequeathcd to me your ScOrn, but carry
yo,r love with you. Bury it at sea,
Fred, and start fresh on the other side.
l'll take care Of my Lady CoGuot on
this side.'
The next afternoon, standing on the
pier, Max Elliott watched disappear
down the bay the brave ship on which
Fred Ronalds was a passenger for the
Old Worlu--;i seif-matto exile for Il wo-
mans sake.
An honest bitterness welled up in
Max ElliOt'S heart as he turned away.
Better than he had ever loved woman,
he had loved this man, who had been
the plaything of a wOman's idle hour,
who had had his honest love tossed back
to him as though it were the foam upon
a wave, and who had been driven to
other lands to find the cure of absence
perchance forgetfulness.
When his br0ugliam stopped in front
Of his club, he glanced at lis watch. II
was a sultry afternoon in July. The
city was growing uncomfortable, and
there would be barely time to hastily
pack a valise and catch the 6 O'Clock
boat which would transport him to cool
breezes, the promise Of Il sea-bath, and
his revenge!
Such a thought was worthy to be
acted upon, therefore, the next morn.
ing, Max Elliot's name appeared upon
the Ocean House register, to be greeted
by an approving chorus Of welcome from
the dear five hundred friends alread,
gathered there.
AS by natural instinct, he found his
way to Mrs. Redfern's side Great
friends as he and George Redfern were
he and George Redfern's wife were bet.
ter.
"What has brought you here?" she
asked, with little quizzical smile.
SIS not your presence Il sufficient
magnet for a less attractive placer" ht
answered, gallantly.
She shook her head.
"Of course; but I've been mopinl
here for fortnight, ana have sent y0r
numberless messages by George, Ill OF
which you have repudiated. Youdon
deserve that | should offer you an,
kindness in return, and I've Il great
mind not to present you to Nora Field
ing to-day. All, you see how easily
have guessed your secret. | saw Fred
Ronald's name, this morning, in the lis
of passengers Oh the Scythiu. Ofcours,
he told you how badly he was cut up
1t was a great shame. and told Nor.
so frankly, but the girl is so pretty ant
so clever that suppose she really is no
wholly to blame because men choose t,
detach their scalps, hang them at thei
belt, and then 60 about the world moon
ing over their loss"
Trust woman to defend woman
when jealousy is not possible to either,