Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1884-07-03

This Is the night. Charley Leonard
gave me couple of tickets. He's one
of the managers this year."
Man as he was, and not at all inter
ested in Miss Merle, Allan failed TO note
tho quick spasmodic twitching of hel
mouth, the dropping of her eyelids,
and deepening pallor of her face, when
Charley Leonard's name was men
toned.
"By the way, Miss Blanche" he
added carelessly, 'let us take look in
at the Chsrity, if you are not toe
tired.
She was too tired--worn out in soul
and body-but here was chance to
hide her aching heart behind the mask
of gaiety.
81 will go--for little WHILE" she
assented.
And Allan went for a carriage, while
she arrayed herself in Il brilliant ball
costume.
When she came downstairs again, q
robe of shimmering white. satin. en-
broidered with forget-me-nots. trailed
after her.
Her eyes shone with an unnatural
brilliancy; her checks were flushed,
and cloud of lace enveloped her
blonde hair.
"She is very lovely to look upon,"
murmurcd Allan Westlock; "but-"
The image of Nora Lindsey's dark
bewitching face, framed in q mass Of
glossy raven hair, her red lips and
dazzling smile, her full smooth throat
of creamy olive, clasped by diamonds
scarcely brighter than her eyes-it rose
up before him.
But he shut his teeth and tried to
Danish even her name from his men,
DRY.
The night wore on.
Blanche Merles 'little while" grew
longer, and when, towards the dawn of
day, she rode home, pale, weary, and
heart-sick. she was Allan Westlock's
promised wife.
The engagement was announced In
due form the following week. Society
was taken by surprise, but the wedding
day was fixed, and there could be no
mistake about ii.
The weeks dragged on, and cards
came out finally for the marriage of
Miss Merle and Mr.. Westlock.
Two days before the wedding, Char
ley Leonard sat in his office. resting his
grave white face in his hands, when the
door opened to admit q lady, heavily
yelled.
you are Mr.. Leonardo" she queried
somewhat nervously, but in a voice
that awakened echoes in his memory;
'you are a friend of--of-Mr. West
locks, l believer"
IL used to count myself So" Charley
answered with singular bitterness;
but"
''Then you will oblige me-" she
went on hastily. al am friend of
Mr.. Westlock's too, and in view of his
approaching marriage, l wish to make
a settlement in his favor. But, for
reasons of my own, do not wish him
to know to whom he is indebted. Here
are two thousand pound bonds which
-
1.-Two thousand poundsw Charley
cried. "Are you in earnest, madame?"
"Here are the bonds" she said rath-
er peremptorilv as she stretched out
one little ungloved hand, and laid the
pack on the table.
AS she did so Charley caught the
flash of a magnificent rose-diamond, the
owner of which was quite we'll known
to him.
miss Lindsey!" he cried. as it
possible?"
She drew back with a start, but
Strengthened up proudly the next mo-
ment, and threw back her veil.
Eyes, it is l." she said with queenly
dignity. "Have l not the right to give
him this money if wish?'
.'But. Miss Lindsey, consider. Have
you thought"
Thought she burst forth passion
ately. 'Have thought of anything else.
night or day, for weeks pastP Do as 1
ask you. The money is for Allan.
Give it TO him, but swear to me that
you will not tell him it was who"
do not excite yourself so, Miss
Lindsey. You are i'll, you"
Promise me you will not tell him''
she cried frantically.
mo, no; certainly not"
Her passion subsidized in q moment.
There is only one thing more have
v.
Forget this visit. Let it be rs though
it never had been"
IF YOU wish it," Charley answered.
And he had barely uttered the words
ere she was gone.
On the table lay the packet of bonds.
Il was wrong" he muttcred. "She
did love him. after all. 1t was Allan
who was trifling with her"
That evening. for the first time in
months, he called upon Allan.
''Where have you been hiding your
self?" his friend cried, holding out a
hand which Charley ignored entirely.
Il cannot shake hands with you,
Allan" he said abruptly, It'll 1 am
sure you are not the knave / have been
led to suppose you arc"
"HowP"
"Why did you lie to me about Miss
LindseyP You told mo you meant to
ask her to be your wife"
A change came over Allan's face,
and for n moment he looked at his
'riend sadly.
Charley, he said, II wouldn't say
this to anyone but you. / am wretch
ed. / love Nora Lindsey with my
whole soul, but 1 have found out that
she is utterly unworthy of me. You
told me so, but nj first"
II was blind, insane, irresponsible"
Charley cried. "She is the noblest
woman know. You love her and she
loves you, Allan. know it."
"Impossible!''
II tell you it is true"
you are beside yourself, Charley.
And il 1t were true, what thenP Two
days hence shall marry Miss Merle. ="
mo, you will not!" Charley cried ex-