Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-10
Gales aud Sketthes.
INA MOMENT OF PIQUE.

III,
tone of measured confidence. Il hate to
see woman make fool of you. and Nora
Lindsey"
What makes you think she's making a
fool of me ?' Allan asked in quiet way.
that quite concealed the depth OF his feel
iDgs.
MY dear boy, you must look at these
things in a common-sense light MISS
Lindsey is an heiress-the richest girl in
Cambridge; you are"
What
well, you know very we'll, Allan, that
from a worldly point of view, you are
poor. like myself"
II have few thousands, Charley. and
then there's my profession. could sup
port a wife comfortably on my income.
have enough to make woman happy.
if she loved me-
Yes. fit! That's lust - cried
Charley, springing up and pacing the
room with restless stride. Women
don't love nowadays-not with their hearts,
at least 1t is all fancy"
Allan looked up, half quizzically.
'.Ah. thought there was something be-
hind all this cynicsm, he said. You
have been playing with the divine fire
again You and your Dulcinea are 'out'!'
Don't Joke about it, Al. for heavens
sake, It's home thrust this time. Three
weeks ago | thought my happiness was
assured. The woman loved had prom
Used to marry me, and now, for the merest
trifle, she has cast me aside. No wonder
have no faith in women or their profess
sions.'
I'm sorry to hear it, Charley-indeed
| am-and hope it may only prove a
lovers quarrel. But you must not expect
me to share your doubts. will not deny
it; love Nora Lindsey with my whole
soul, and intend to ask her to be my
wife"
We'll. wish you success, Al. Forgive
me for meddling. only"
The door opened and rough old fellow
came numbering in-one of Allan's clients.
Charley picked up his hat and left. with
the brief remark:
"I'll see you later"
1t was while Allan was engaged with
this client that the postman came in and
threw down on the desk thick envelope,
with graceful superscription that con-
trasted strongly with the careless, daShing
style of his business correspondence.
Allan's heart bounded
His patience hardly lasted till he was
alone and could open the letter.
1t was much longer than Miss Lindsey's
favors usually were-two full sheets, be-
ginning. My dear Mr.. Westlock. and
ending, Your friend always, Nora Lind
say"
"Your letter was really favor" she
said on the first page. ''SeatOn is pretty
place. but horribly dull IN winter. shall
be so glad to get back to Cambridge. 1t
was very kind of you to ask me to go and
see Bernhard next Wednesday. 1t will
give me much pleasure to do So"
Then the letter rambled on in pleas
ant way till the bottom of the fourth page,
when there was complete break.
The second sheet did not 90 with the
first at all. Neither the words nor the
ideas were in any way connected.
Allan turned it over and over in new
bewilderment, and finally held perfectly
still, when these words stared him straight
in the face:
Il am only flirting with Mr.. Westlock
and leading him on for the sake of amuse-
ment. Don't disturb yourself, nv dear
Blanche. know what is best tor my own
happiness. shall never marry a man
whom do not love-"
The paper trembled in Allan's hands,
and he gaaped for breath.
Good beavens!" he cried hoarsely,
What does this mean?"
Slowly it dawned upon him that bv
some mistake part of another letter not
intended for his eyes, had been inclosed
in the envelope that bore his address. But
what did it reveal to himP
Allan crushed the fatal sheet in his hand
and sank down in a chair with a pale, dis
torted countenance.
1t was hours before he could command
himself; but once he gained the mastery.
he drew from his pocket two theatre
tickets, and taking up a sheet of elegant
note paper. wrote as follows:
my dear Miss Lindsey: Circumstances
compel me to recall my invitation for
Wednesday next. inclose you the tickets
You have so many attendants that am
sure you will not want for an escort. Hop
ing that you will enjoy the performance, l
am yours truly,
ALLAN WESTLOCK."
That was all.
CIc shall never hHo" ny "pId VI dCG
of mine" he said as he dropped this note
in the box on his way home to supper.
That dream is over, and my happiness
at an end forever; but she shall not know
it. will hide my suffering from her if
die for it,
That evening when society was about
awak ening to the touch OF dissipation. AL
Ian Westlock presented himself in fault
less attire in the parlor of a pretty up
town residence.
"How fortunate | am to find you at
home!" he murmured as he bent over the
slender white hand of tall, graceful girl
in an exquisite dress of pale blue surah.
"But what have YOU been doing to your
self, Miss Blanche? You are not at all
we'll"
Blanche Merle replied with light laugh,
whose studied Indifference could not Who'll
ly deaden the ring OF one sad note.
at is dissipation, | suppose" she an
swered, glancing half curiously into a
diamond mirror that hung just opposite
in plush frame. 81 have been to three
balls this week. was going to another
to-night-the charity ball, you know
but"
why. I'd forgotten all about it. This
is the night Charles Leonard gave me a
couple of tickets. He's one Of the man
ayers this year"
Man as he was. and not at all interested
in Miss Merle, Allan failed to note the