Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-05-29

SOTt VI way dOAOSS utI IOTeuSau. Let
me realize what you are telling me.
Fiske Egerton is a villain. | am de-
serted for one who hears the magic
wand of wealth. And she?"
''She is one of the sweetest girls |
ever knew-worthy to be a monarch's
bride. ?"
Then she don't know
"Of this previous love-making of this
precious swain. OF course she does
not know it. Francesca We're is too
noble and true-nearted a girl to accept
her happiness ut TIE cost of another
blighted life. "
"She must be undeceivcd, Harry.
When do you return to the city?"
Tomorrow.
81 will go with you, my friend. Mrs.
Clare win gladly receive me for day
or two"
ut shall be as you wish, Elfrida.
And Harry Morton asked no further
questions on the subject, although lie
could readily conjecture what was in
her mind.
Miss We're was surprised, a day or
two afterward, to receive n visit from
her friend, Mrs. Glare, accompanied
by tall, slender young lady, whose
dark eyes seemed 10 GLOW beneath her
veil like two Goals of fire.
"Miss Dale was anxious to make
your acquaintance, Francesca" said
Mrs. Glare, after she had introduced
the stranger; 80 l ventured to bring
her with me.
Francesca held out her soft white
hand with 4 smile of welcome and one
or two gracious words, but Elfrda
merely inclined her head.
Miss We're" she said abruptly, sis
the rumor true that you are engaged
to be married to Mr.. Fiske Egerton?"
Miss We're looked astonished, but she
answered in the affirmative.
excuse me-" said Elfrida, with a
hard. bitter laugh, "but l am an I'M
SOPHISTICATED little country girl. How
many ladies is it allowable for New
York gentleman to be engaged to at
the same time?'
70 Il do not understand YOU" Fran
'cesca said. growing scarlet and then
pale.
Because" added Miss Dale, Mr..
Egerton has been my aflianced hus-
oAnd for the last two monthsun
Francesca glanced involuntarily down
at the diamond glittcring on her fore
finger. Miss Dale saw the movement
of her eye, and drawing off her own
glove held up a slender finger circled
by plain band of gold, where a ruby
glowed like crystalized drop of blood.
81, too, have an engagement ring"
she said bitterly. Look
She drew it off, and on the under side
Miss We're could read in tiny engraven
characters: "Fske Egerton to Elfrida
Dale, July 4, lS-"
II can show you his letters. too, ;"
added Elfrida. II brought them to the
city with me lest this ring and my un-
aided word should scarcely prove
strong enough testimony"
at is enough Francescas voice
sounded strangely hard and metallic.
You need say no more"
May" interrupted Elfrida Dale,
more softly; ait was not to break your
heart that | unveiled the character of
the man we have both been rash
enough to love, but rather to save you
from fate too terrible TO contemplate
marriage to false-hearted villain!
We are sufferers together, Miss We're;
let me take your hand in miner'
Francesca clasped the proffered
palm in her own, and drawing Elfrida
Dale close to her kissed her lips. Sor-
row had indeed made them sisters.
'Do not go, " she said. "Stay here
yet little while"
''What are you going to dop"
IL have sent for Mr.. Egerton to come
here at once. Do you dread meeting
him?"
"Only as would dread contact with
loathsome reptile or = deadly viper.
Love in my heart has died out, utterly
and entirely"
Frauccsca's lip quivered slightly.
"Yod are brave. Perhaps |, too,
shall learn the lesson in time.
Mrs. Clare looked on at the strange
scene being enacted before her, scarce
ly able to believe but that it was a
dream. Presently the servant adj
vanced noiselessly into the room, and
announced in n voice hardly above his
breath:
MIR, Egerton.'
And Fiske Egcrton followed him, q
tall, handsome young man, with a con-
ceited way of carrying his head and q
confident air, as if quite certain of the
irresistibility OF his own charms.
Francesca, my darling, you sent for
me" he said, bending over her hand.
Yes, | sent for your
Mr., Egerton looked eXpeCtant
AN old friend of yours is visiting
u.s. ] wished you to meet her face to
face
She motioned to Elfrida to advance,
and the next moment Mr.. Fiske Eyer
ton stood confronted with the girl
whom he had so heartlessly Tilted for
more advantageous match.
"Elfrida Daler' He grew pale as q
sheet of white paper. What on earth
brings you here?"
The determination to expose your
Elfrida answered, calm as statue,
while n slight scornful curve rested
momentarily on her upper lip. You
are unmasked, Fiske Egerton! Here
after have the goodness to remember
that it is not always safe to play dou
ble game!'