The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1884-07-16


tired"
She was too tired-worn out in soul
and body-but here was chance to hide
her aching heart behind the mask of
gayety.
~ will go-for a little WHILE" she as-
sented.
And Allan went for carriage, while
she arrayed herself in brilliant ball
costume.
When she came downstairs again,
robe of shimmering white satin, en-
broidered with forget-me-nots, trailed
after her.
Her eyes shone with nm unusual brill
fancy; her checks were flushed, and
cloud OF lace enyeloped her blonde
hair.
"She is very lovely to look upon,'
murmured Allan Westlock; "but-"
The image of Nora Lindsey's dark be-
witching face, framed in amass Of glossy
raven hair, her red lips and dazzling
smile. her full smooth throat OF creamy
olive, clasped by diamonds scarcely
brighter than hereyes--it rose up before
him
But no shut his teeth and tried to
Danish even her name from his memory.
The night wore on.
Blanche Merle's "little while" grew
longer, and when, toward the dawn Of
the day, she rode home, pale, wearyand
heartsick, she WAS Allan Westlocks
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 it.
The weeks dragged on, and cards came
out finally for the marriage OF Miss
Merle and Mr.. WcstlDck.
Two weeks before the wedding,
Charley Leonard sat in his office, resting
his grave white face in his hands, when
the door opened to admit lady, heavily
yelled.
"You are Mr.. Leonard" she queried
somewhat nervOugly. but in n voice that
awakened echoes in his memory; "you
are n friend of--of--hlr. Westlock's, /
believe"
81 used to count myself So" Charley
answered with singular bitterness; "but
| -"
"Then you will obligc me" she went
on hastily 81 am q friend Of Mr.. West
locks, too, and in view of his approach
ing marriage, ! wish 10 make II settle
ment 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 -"
"Two thousand poundsw Charley
cried. care you in earnest, madame p
'JIcre are the bonds" she said rather
percmptorily, as she stretched ont one
little unglovcd hand and laid the packet
on the table.
As she did so Charley caught the
flash of magnificent rose-diamond, the
owner Of which was quite well known tC
him.
"NIiss Lindsey" he cried. "Is il
possible?"
She drew back with start, bu
Strengthened up proudly the next mo
ment, and threw back her veil.
"Ycs, it is l." she said with queenly
dignity. "Il0ve not the right to giv'
him this money if wish ?"
"But, Miss Lindsey, consider. Hay,
you th,ught--"
"Thought |" sho burst forth passion
ately. "IIave | thought of anything
/ else, night or day, for weeks past2 DE-
as ! 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 80, Mis-
Lindsey. You arc i'll, you---"
"Promise me you will not tell him I
she cried frantically.
"No, no; certainly not"
Her passion subdued in n moment.
"There il only one thing more hav
to ask of you," she said abruptly. "For
get this visit. Let it be as though i
never had been"
"If you wish it," Charley answered
. And he had barely uttered the word
. ere she was gone.
On the table lay the packet of bonds
' 81 was wrong" he muttered. "Sh
did love him after all. 1t was Allan VIII
, was triling with her."
That evening, for the first time i
, months, he called upon Allan.
4 "Where have you been hiding YOU
Y selfP" his friend cried holding out
r hand which Charley ignored entirely.
y 81 cannot shake hands with you
Allan" he said, abruptly, "till l m
!, sure you are not the knave / have bee
led u, to suppose you are"
"Why did you lilo to mo about Mis-
Y Lindsey You told me you meant t.
ask her to be your wife"
i. A change came over Allm's face, ant
/. for moment no looked ut his frient
sadly.
q "Charley," he said, 81 wouldn't sa,
n this to anyone but you. | am wretched
love Nora Lindsey ithmy whole soul
I but have found out that she is utterly
. unworthy of me. You told me so, bu
, at first"
( 81 was blind, insane, irresponsible +
Charley cried. "She is the mobiles
l. woman I know. You love her and sh,
i. loves You, Allan. know it,"
II Impossible y
1. 81 tell you it ia true"
,r "You arc beside yourself, Charley
10 And II it were true, what then? Tw
days hence l shall marry Miss Merle.
"No, you will not p Charley criet
excitedly. "You shall not wreck til
CT happiness of four lives ut once Their
10 is yet time Allan. Retreat You mus
r. -you shall Blanche Merle was [
- have been my wife-not yours 1t is
y whom she loves-not you p
n "You, CharleyP Was il she who
eyes, it was shel How dared you n
I tempt to steal her from me?"
Alan's face was very white.
"Why did you not tell me before Z?
, he cried. ''Do not stand there railin
Mt me +! will go to Blanche at once |!
"Not without mel"
, "You may come"
They both presented themselves n
| = =