The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-06-21
IN A MOMENT OF P1QUE.

"
ed with, Allan" said Charley Leon
ard in tone CT measured confidence
al hate to see a woman mako fool of
you, and Nyra Lindsey-"
"What makes Won think she's maxi
ing fool of me?" Allan asked, in a
quiet way that quite concealed the
depih.o of his feelings
"My dear boy, you must look at
these things i'll common-sense light.
Miss Lindsey is an heiress-the rich
est girl in Cambridge you arc"
"Whatw
"Wel, you know very well, Allan,
that from a worldly point of view,
you are poor, like myself"
II have a few thousands; Charley
and then, there's my profession. |
could support wife comfortably on my
income. have enough to make
woman happy, provided she loved
me-"
ayes, if-if-l That's just it," cried
Charley, springing up and pacing
the room with restless stride.
"Women don't love nowadays-not
with their hearts, at least. 1t is all
fancy"
Allan looked up, half quizically.
"Ah, | thought there was something
behind all this cynicism," he said.
"You have been playing with the di-
vine fire again. You and your Dull
cinea are OUT"
Don't joke about, it Al, for heavens,
sake! It's a home thrust this time
Three weeks ago thought my happl-
was assured The woman | loved had
promised to marry me, and now, for
the merest triiie she has cast me aside.
No wonder have no faith in women
or their profession"
"I'm sorry for it, Charley-indeed
am-and hope it may only prove a
lovers quarrel. But you must not ex-
pcct me to share your doubts. will
not deny it; | love Nora Lindsey with
my whole soul, and intend to ask
her to be my wife"
"Well, / wish you success, All.
Forgive me for meddling only
The door opened and rough old fell
low came numbering in-0ne OF Adams
clients.
Charley picked up his hat and left.
saying:
I'm see you later"
1t was while Allan was engaged
with this client that the postman
came in and threw down upon the
desk thick envelope, with graceful
superscription that contrasted strong,
ly with the careless, dashing style Of
his business correspondence.
Adams heart bounded,
His patience hardly lasted unit
he was alone and could open the let
ter
1t was rather longer than Mis-
Lindsey's favors usually were-twC
full sheets, beginning "My dear Mr.
Westlock," and ending :"Your frienC
always-Nora Lindsey"
"Your letter was really a favor" sht
said on the first page. "Seaton is ;
pretty place, but horribly dull in win
ter. | shall be so glad to get back Il
Cambridge! 1t was very kind o
you to ask me to go and see Bern
hardt next Wednesday. 1t will Civ,
IliG STtdb w AO SO.
Then the letter rambled on in
pleasant way till the bottom OF tn
fourth page, when there was com
plete break,
The second sheet did not go witt
the first ut all. Neither the word
nor the ideas were in any way con
nected.
Allan turned it over and over il
new bewilderment, and finally held
perfectly still, when these lines stare
him straight in the face.
~ am only flirting with Mr. West
lock, and leading him on for the SAX
of amusement. Don't distress YOU
self, my dear Blanche. know wha
is best for my own happiness. | sha
never marry man whom | do. nc
love"
The paper trcmbled in Adams hand
and he gaspcd for breath.
GOOD heavensl" lie cried hoarsel,
What does this mean?"
Slowly it dawned upon linn tina
by some mistake, q part of anothC
letter, not intended for his eyes, ha
been inclosed in the envelope thu
bore his address. But what did it II
veal to him.
Allan crushed the fatal sheet in h
hand, and sank down in chair wit
pale, distorted countenanfe.
1t was hours before he could con
mand himself; but once he gained Il
mastery, he drew from his pocket tv
theatre tickets, and, taking up she
of elegant notepaper, wrote as fc
lows:
"MY DEAR Miss LINDSEY: Circm
stances compel me to recall my mN
tation for next Wednesday. enclo
you the tickets. You have SO mar
attendants that am sure you will IL
want for an escort. Hoping you W
enjoy the performance, | am, you
truly, "ALLAN WEsTLocK."
That was all!
"She shall never know by word
act OF mine" he said, rs he dYopp,
this note in the box on his way home
supper. "1'hat dream is over, and II
happiness at an end forever; but s
shall not know it. viii hide my 81
foring from her ii die for it"
That evening, when society W
about awakening to-the touch OF dis
patton, Allan Westlock presented In
self i'm iaultleSs attire in the parlor
a pretty uptown residence.
"How fortunate am to find you