The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-06-21

You are not looking at I'LL well this
evening"
Blanche Merle replied with light
laugh, whose studied indifference
could not wholly deaden the ring of
one sad note
ut is dissipation, ] supposed" she
answered, CHANGING half curiously i'm
to diamond mirror that hung just
opposite in a plush frame. al have
been to three balls this week. / was
going to another to-night-the chart
lty ball, you know--but--"
"Why, I'd forgotten all about i'll
This is the night. Charley leonard
gave me a couple Of tickets. He's one
OF the managers"
Man as he was, and not at all inter-
ested in Miss Merle, Allan failed to
note the quick spasmodic twitching OF
her mouth, the dropping of her eye
lids, and deepening pallor of her face,
when Charley Leonard's name was
mentioned.
"By the way Miss Blanche" he add
ed carelossly, "let US take look in
at the Charity, if you are not too
tired" 8a
1 She was too tired-worn out in soul
and body-but here was d chance to
| hide her aching heart behind a mask
of gaiety,
an go---for Il little WHILE" she as
sented.
And Allan went for carriage,
while she arrayed herself in q brilliant
6 ball costume.
When she came down stairs again,
a robe OF shimmering white satin, en-
, broidered with forgetmenots, trailed
: after her.
Her eyes shone with an unusual
: brilliancy; her checks were flushed,
: and cloud of lace enyeloped her
. blonde hair.
"She is very lovely to look upon"
murmered Allan Westlock but"
The image of Nora Lindscy's dark
: bewitching face, framed in a mass Of
. glossy raven hair, her red lips and
dazzling smile, her full smooth throat
I of creamy olive, clasped by diamonds
:, scarcely brighter than her eyes--it
!, rose up before him.
q But he shut his teeth and tried
to Danish even her name from his
4 memory.
y The night wore on.
? Blanche Merle's 'little while" grew
y longer, and when, towards the dawn
II of the day, she rode home, pale, weary
= and heartsick, she was Allan West
locks promised wife.
The engagement was announced il
: due form the following week. Socie
!; ty was taken by surprise, but the wed
! ding day was fixed, and there coulC
be no mistake.
The weeks dragged on, and cards
- came out finally for the marriage o
: Miss Merle an Mr. Westlock.
Il Two weeks before the wedding
" Charley Leonard sat in his Office, rest
- ing his grave white face in his hands
y, ~ when the door opened to admit lady
:" heavily vailed.
"You are Mr.. LeOnard?" she querie'
: somewhat nervously, but in voic
/" that awakened echoes in his memory
n "you are a friend of---of--Mr. West
~ locks, believe"
~ 81 used to consider myself so, "Chal
% ley answered with singular bitterness,
"but--"
" " "Then you will oblige me" she wen
\ on hastily 81 am a friend OF MI
y, Westlock's s, too, and in view of his AZ
preaching marriage, | wish to make
g settlement in his favor. But, for res
~ sons OF my own, | do not wish him t
know to whom he is indebted Her
al are two thousand pound bonds, whic
w -"
W. w. "Two thousand pounds" Cha
~ ley cried. "Are you i'll earnest, mac
~ amer
sff Here are the bonds" she said ratl
VI er peremptorily, as she stretched OF
one little ungloved hand and laid til
4, packet on the table.
" W. As she did so Charley cought ii
0' flash of q magnificent rose-diamon
T., the owner Of which he knew qui
,,o well.
w. "Miss Lindsey" he cried. as
- possible" rsf
i' She drew back with start, bl
No Strengthened up proudly the next m
i' ment, and threw back her vail.
\" Eyes it is |" she said with xueen
~ - dignity Have not the right to giN
" " him this money!"
vi VI "But, Miss Lindsey, consider. Ha'
~ you thought"
y" Thought" she burst forth passio
ately. "Have | thought of anythir
.h a se,night or day, for weeks pas
l' Do as ask you. The money is +
u" Allan. Give it to him, but swear
itb me that you will not tell him it was
~ who"
lns "Do not excite yourself so, Mi
'n Lindsey. You are i'll, YOU"
., Promise me you will not tell. him
- ! she cried frantically '-- q
"a "No, no certainly not. es-----.,.-'
'0' Her passion was subdued in a m
-. ment.
~, ,s' "There is only one thing more
NV NV have to ask of you,' she said abrupt
t w. Forget this visit. Let it be us thouI
, IN it never had been.
, Ont IF you wish it," Charley answ'
i'o' ed.
j., And he had barely uttered the wor
'''' ere she was gone,
,,v On the table lay the packet
.! bonds
,ot 81 was wrong" he muttered. IS
lev" "s, did love him after ALL 1t was All
, IA who was trifing with her"
h l"a That evening, for the first time
nov "a months, he called upon Allan.
- "Where have you been hiding yor
Ia self" his friend cried, holding {
liz n hand which Charley ignored {
W. tirely.
al L..