The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-06-14

Pomeroy." Grasping it, Nellie tore
it open, and read the following laconic
note:
"NELLrR: All is over between US.
Thank God, have discovered your per-
tidy before it was too late. I had the
fullest confidence, Nellie; but that is
past now.
81 leave for France tomorrow, never,
I trust. to revisit this country, which
would now be but sad home for me.
'Your once devoted lover,
''GUY HARTLEY"
Mr.. and Mrs. Pomeroy had not no
ticed the sudden paling OF their
daughters face las she hurriedly scanned
the familiar writing, till, as she reached
the fatal termination, her eyes closed,
and with low moan of agony she
sank to the floor in death-like swoon:
For FIVE years Guy vainly strove to
find forgetfulness, and happiness in
constant excitementa and change of scene;
but failing in this, he returned to Lon
don.
Not once had q suspicion of Fred
Actions treachery crossed his mind, for
to Guy he had always shown the better
part of his nature.
And Nellie? Thrown into a nervous
fever by the cruel note from Guy, she
wavered long between life and death, but
finally her perfect constitution gained
the victory.
Vainly had Fred Acton sued for her
hand; but she had only scorn to give
him. At first she had hoped that some
trivial act of hers had displeased Guy;
but as the weeks rolled on and no word
came from the absent one, she finally
ceased to expect him.
Fred Acton at last gave up all hopes
of winning her hand; but loving her
still, he attempted to drown his disap-
pointment IN the wine cup; and, with
drinking and fast horses, was rapidly
eating up the handsome property left
him by his father. One day, while rid
ing at break-neck speed, his horse,
frightened at futterine rag, SHE'D, and
threw him. When the hastily-s sum.
moned physician had examined his
wounds, he pronounced him MORALLY
injured.
Knowing, then, that for him all
thoughts of revenge on Guy were USE
less, his thoughts turned on Nellie. So
he dictated letter confesslng his sin,
begging her forgiveness and containing
the locket, and dispatched it to the ir-
jured girl, who could not but pity the
dying man; and that he might rot die
thinking himself unforgiven, scot note
to the hotel to which he had been car
ried, but the messenger reach ed there in
time to hear that Fred Acton had
breathed his last. .
Guy had supposed 'nat Nellie and
Fred were long since married; but
hardly had he set foot in London when
he was accosted 10y one of his old
friends, who, among the gossip he had
to\relate concerning Guys circle of &C.
quaintances, mentioned the fact of Fred
Acton's death, and also said that Miss
Pomeroy was as beautiful as ever, but
unmarried. At this Guys heart throbbed
wildly and his brain almost reeled.
Could there have been treachery in Fred
Acton's conduct, and had he wronged
Nellie all these weary years?
Wildly he asked himself these ques-
tons, and he resolved that he would see
Nellie and have an explanation with her.
Once more he turned his steps toward
the well-known house, where even the
pictures on the walls seemed to smile on
him in friendly recognition. Bronzed
by travel, the old family servant failed
to remember him, SO he gave no name,
merely requesting to see Miss Pomeroy.
Nellie soon appeared; but hardly had
she crossed the threshold when the eyes
of love recognized him, and, with wild
scream of Guy. dear Guy!" she was
folded to his heart.
Long explanations followed. Nellie
told of the loss of her locket ON the day
of Guys last visit, and how she regretted
it, being his GIFT. She also told of the
dying confession of Fred Acton, aud his
restoration of her locket, which she
showed him, worn on . blue ribbon
about her neck.
Guy, penitent but loving, was fully
forgiven by his deeplywronged Nellie,
who, in the Joy Of such reunion, had
no heart to blame him.
Soon after there was q grand wedding
in the stately mansion; and although
the fair brides ornaments were milk
white pearls, there hung suspended from
the central cluster of her necklace tiny
locket, bearing on it q blue forget-me-
not.