The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-06-28
"oUR DOUBTS ARE TRAITORS. "

ing of the fountain is family heard
nightingale, swinging alolt on a
swaying poplar, breaks out in II burst
OF heavenborn melody.
But fairer far, in Lionel Stanley's
eyes, is tho beautiful woman by his
side. Sweeter far to him is her low
toned laughter than the ripple of the
fountain or the nightingale's passion
ate song.
"Millicent,' he says, eagerly, "can it
indeed be true? Are you really begin
ming to care for me"
She smiles-such n bright arch
smile! Somehow, it reminds one of
sunlight dimpling on the ripples of
little brown babbling brook.
Glow often must declare the truth
of that simple fact, Sir Malcontent?"
she cries, gayly.
"If l could only be sure" he signs.
"But you you are so changeful, dar-
ling-sometimes almost cold. And
you have had such armies of lovers
1t seems. sometimes, as if all this was
too good to be true. Perhaps YOU will
tell me tonight that you love me, and
tomorrow"
LET tomorrow care for itself You
foolish mortal, will you never learn to
take the goods the gods provide?" she
cries, mockingly. "But here comes
Sir John. So, for the present, adicu
and do try and cultivate more cheer
full frame of mind"
Then, with gay little nod, she goes
off on Sir Johns arm, and plunges once
more into the whirl and stir of the
crowded ballroom.
Lionel, left to himself, falls into
gloomy reverie, from which he is rous-
ed with start by the sound of voices
from behind bank of ferns near by.
Eyes, Milly is very lovely; there is
no denying that" he hears woman's
voice saying "but oh such a shock
ing flirt. She has broken more hearts
already than you can count, though
she has only been out few months
And she never seems to feel the least
pity for her victims; she is perfectly
heartless."
"They say that young Lionel STAN
ley is hard-hit in that quarter" puts
in a masculine voice.
us he? Oh! poor fellow. He will
suffer the fate of them all, fear-yes,
remember now hearing her boasting
of her success in that direction. BY
the-way, Major did you hear that sto-
ry of her Irritation with Captain Gran
by, the handsome"
Here the speakers move away, and
Lionel loses the rest
But he has heard enough.
His heart is filled with bitter pain !;
for his idol is shattered the woman
to whom he has given the deepest and
warmest love of his honest soul is
proven utterly false.
With low stifled moan, he turns
his back on the light and beauty
around him, and strides away in the
darkness.
1t is the morning after the ball, and
Milly is in the garden. She is singing
mistress Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow"
Suddenly she sees Lionel in the lane
and runs down the path to meet him.
He has just sprung from his horse.
What picture she makesl Her
cheeks are famed to a delicate pink
by the warm spring air; little stray
curls of her fine hair blow about her
face as she comes; her dainty white
dress is caught up lightly in one dim
pied hand the other is full OF great
dewy roses and her bright eyes are
all aglow with youth and happiness.
Poor Lion drinks in the radiant vis-
ion with gloomy eyes.
He looks white and haggard like a
man just recovering from a severe i'll
ness.
"Stopw he cries, hoarsely, as she
nears him, and is about to lay one hand
carcssingly on his arm.
Then, for the life of him, he cannot
utter another word, but stands gazing
at her in dumb heart-stric!sen misery
Milly shrinks back, and the laugh
ter dies out of her eyes.
"Why, Lion" she says, anxiously
"what has happened? Why do you
look so white and stranger"
"You know whyw he answers, bit
terly. "No, do not be alarmed 1t is
nothing to cause you an instant's pain
only one more victim driven to de.
spair. am fool to be here now
but | could not 60 without seeing you
once more, and for the last time"
"The last time? What do you
mean? Lionel, how can your" she
cries, with little sob.
at is too late for such acting" he
answers, roughly. 81 am no longer
blind--no longer to be deceived by
your specious arts"
She grows very white, and sways
backwards. But, before she can fall
he has caught Mr in his arms, and is
kissing rassionately her hower-like
face, her hair, her tiny hands.
Then, with u mighty effort, he re-
leases nor almost filings her from him
and without II backward glance, leaps
upon his horse, and rides madly away
She stands for moment where he
has left her, dazed half-stmned look
on her face, then falls heavily to the
ground.
And the poor forgotten roses lie al
her feet And the morning dew has
all vanished from their dry parched
petals, that already have begun tC
droop and fade, under the increasing
warmth OF the MONDAY sun.
Months have passed. 1t is colo
clustering day in March. Handsome
Jack Dudley. lounging idly in til,
window of the cluh-roon, fr0wns dark
ly, as he meditates ON the unpleasant
ness OF matters in general.
On a sudden he starts up, and hasti
~ leaves the room look OF pleased