The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1883-12-16

iey,s account. And last night there Ind
been a little gathering OF the young people IN
the church., and circumstances had done
their worst-seemingly. In the first place
George Fenby came with Estelln kingsley;
TIE meeting was not of a character 10 make
it unkind for him to leave his promised vile
to come with her father. as she had, but his
coming with Mis- Kingsley had been noticed
by several. With the deed before him, Ralph
Warden had no difficulty IN deciding why
George had been at Mr.. Kinssley's, and con
sequently why he had come as he had.
Ralph wns well acquainted with n young
man living where the Kingsleys had formerly
resided, and through him he knew of the en-
gageruent OF Miss Kingsley TO a gentleman
living there. He had known this for a long
time, and knowing this bad thought lite Of
events which might otherwise have deeply
affected him.
Last night, for instance. n laughing group
OF gentlemen had spoken OF Miss Kingsley.
One had said; she is a beauty and an
heiress. Whoevers wins her will have n
beautiful home. The Kingsley estate is the
finest one In Marsbam-n
Its my highest ambition to be the master
OF that estate, y laughed George" and ! have
made an offer which l think will be accepted.
1 am to have an answer tonight. IL l succeed
i shall be extremely happy. II not why, /
y Va wv no tthtA nv eDb' o -
what I want, ! viii take what l can get"
Ralph could not remember where Alice
Arnden had besn when those innocent words
bad been spoken. That she had been near
enough to hear them was evinced by her let
ter which was before him. So he sat there,
aud pitiod Alice Arnden for the faith in man
which she had lost. as well as for the man
himself who had been put from her.
Ralph raised his head. The time had not
- 49,. L. - Iz-.. - tIt,r INT ha
know it all. Two proud and obstinate young
creatures had been parted by fate. And be
muttered with white, compressed lips, "
alone understand it all / alone, of all the
world, can set II right. What a temptation
We will not seek to follow his thoughts.
What II man does should be the basis of our
Judgment, not what he would do. If he
thought Of the curative effect of time on
suffering hearts, We can forgive him II q
possible future, In which a happy home Of
his own was the central figure, rose up to
meet him, we can do no less than pity him.
The band OF sunshine rested on his head
like a golden crown. His face was almost
glorifed as be raised it to the light again.
And surely the angels made a record of a
second gift that day coming to the lot of
those whose lives fall for a little time within
the limo of our story, when he said aloud: %
will 90 right. Alice Arnden shall have her
lover buck again"
Evening service at the little church was
over. Ralph Warden stood on the steps as
the congregation came out He looked
happy.
II it be true trat looming events cast their
shadows before" and that ''virtue is its own
reward" he was happy. He spoke cheer
fully to this one and that when they passed
He did not look like a conspirator. One
would not have dreamed that be bad made a
plan, which, for audacity, would find few
rivals, while for simplicity IL might find
fewer.
TITS batter to bave it over as soon as posi-
BILE, he said to himself better FOR them and
for me- 2
Alice Arnden was passing him. He leaned
forward.
"Will you come for e little drive with me,
Miss Arndeni Tie night is perfect, and you
look as IL fresh air would do you good
She accepted at once, hoping as she did SO,
that George Fenby would see her. he wasnot
there to see, however, and Ralph had taken
good care to know that. He was already half
wny home.
But Miss Arnten was ia no mood 10 refuse.
She was in reckless temper, and Ralph War.
den had counted on that. One DESTROYS OF
" ideninE the breach between Alice andG-orge
would have found it an easy task to make a
beginning that night.
Ralph Warden's lips moved slowly as he
seated himself beside Alice, but we viii not
try to determine what be said TO himself In
that crisis in more lives than one.
II admire your cloak and bat,n exclaimed
RALPH, Though the saying may be as much a
compliment to my sisters as to your own
taste. Hers are Ike them, are they notf'
Every nearly; not quite. But I didn't
know you ever noticed what your lady friends
wear
81 don't very often. did to-day. Would
he masculine eye detect the diherencef'
~ think not. But it is a pity to talk of
dress on such a night a tnis. What a strong
nd helpful sermon we had this evening"
"YeS,n said Ralph.
They made a TURF in the road, and there
vas George himself only a few yards ahead
Alice put down her veil at once. Surely
ate was on the side Of Ralph warden's plans
that night.
'Get IN, George, l won't take a refusal.n
"Who is with youi Your sister,
yes said Ralph with a promptness
which should be admired and pardoned. "Sit
on this side said Ralph, as George got in, ~
isn't itf'
Very beautiful"
Every beautiful, y said George, who really
had not thought of it before.
"You needn't go home at once. ! will turn
here, and we will drive over toward the
shore
He had turned his horse down the road
leading in that direction before either of
his companions could say a word. The two
lovers were gazing ON the scene they had
looked upon in the morning. The moonlight
may have softened the harshness of it a little.
but the man between them heard a sob from
the woman at his left, aud saw the moon
light sparkle suspiciously on the eyelashes of
of the man on his right. And he thought
grimly of himself as the image OF fate-fate,
with the destiny of two human beings in his
hand.
d" found a paper of yours this morning, ,
sid Ralph, slowly, /" and here 1t is. l could
hardly help seeing what it was. / oongratu-
late you on your bargain. You have bought
the finest estate about here, George. 1t is re-
markably cheap at the price. believe the
deed was signed last EVENING"
"Mr. Kingsley had no, fully decided to
sell 1t until then. had her
mot fully. He told me his daugter might
decide to want 1t herself when she is married
Mr.. Kingsley will, of course, give her a
handsome esidence somewhere when that
event takes place, for Mr.. Jones, who Is to
marry her, has no fortune of his own"
1T has been your highest ambition to
own that estate, hasn't itf'
Certainly. ! wanted the finest place
bare"
"You ought to be suprernely happy. You
said last night that you would be when you
owned the place"
Yea
The answer was short. Ralph could feel
the strong man on his right tremble In spite
Of bis Efforts to control himself, and he knew