Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-11
Gales aud Sketthes.
INA MOMENT OF PIQUE.
(Continuen from yesterday.


out finally for the marriage of Miss Merle
and Mr. Westlock.
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 vailed.
You are Mr.. Leonardo" she queried,
somewhat nervously. but in a voice that
awakened echoes in his memory; you
are friend of-of-Mr. Westlock's, |
believer"
II used to think myself So" Charley
answered with singular bitterness; but
but
Then you will oblge me-" she went
on. hastily. Il am friend OF Mr. West
lock- too, and in view of his approach
ing marriage, wish to make a settlement
in his favor But. tor reasons of my own.
do not wish him to know to whom he is
indebted Here are two thousand pounds
bonds, which"
Two thousand pounds" Charlie cried.
"Are you in earnest, madame?'
Here are the bonds" she said, rather
peremptorily. as she stretched out one
little ungloved 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 to him.
Miss Lindsey!' he cried. lis it pos
sibe ?''
She drew back with start, but straight
ened up proudly the next moment and
threw back her veil.
Eyes, it is l." she said, with queenly
dignity Have | not the right to give
him this money if | wish?"
But, Miss Lindsey, consider. Have
you thought"
Thought" she burst forth passionate
ly. Have l thought of anything else,
day or night, for weeks past? DO 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 so. Miss Lind
sey. You are i'll, you
Promise me you will not tell him." she
cried, frantically.
"No, no; certainly NOT
Her passion subdued in moment.
There is only one thing more | have
to ask OF you," she said abruptly. For
get this visit. Let it be as though it never
had been"
If you wish it,
And he had barely uttered the words,
ere she was gone.
On the table lay the packet of bonds.
Il was wrong" he muttered, She did
love him after all. 1t was Allan who was
trihing with her"
That evening for the first time in months
he called upon Allan.
Where have you been hiding yourself?"
his friend cried, holding out hand which
Charley ignored entirely.
81 cannot shake hands with you, Allan"
he said abruptly, "til | am sure you are
not the knave have been led to suppose
YOU are"
How ?"
why did you lie to me about Miss
Lindsey? You told me you meant to ask
her to be your wife"
A change came over Allan's face, and
for a moment he looked at his friend
sadly.
Charley" he said, II wouldn't say
| love Nora Lindsey with my whole soul
unworthy of me. You told me so, but at
first
Il was blind. insane, irresponsible :"
Charley cried. 'She is the noblest wo-
man know. You love her and she loves
you. Allan. know it."
Impossible ~
Il tell You it is true"
"You are beside yourself. Charley,
And if it were true, what then? Two
weeks hence shall marry Miss Merle.
mo, You will not ~ Charley cried ex-
citedly. You shall not wreck the happi-
ness of four lives at once. There is vet
time. Allan. Retreat You must-you
shall! Blanche Merle was to have been
my wife-not yours 1t is | whom she
loves-not you"
You, Charlie -? Was it she Who"
Yes, it was she! How dare you attempt
to steal her from me ?"
Adams face was very white.
why did you not tell me before ~ he
cried. "Do not stand there railing at me
will 90 to Blanche at once !"
mot without mer'
You may come"
They both presented themselves at Miss
Merle's an hour later, but Allan asked to
see her alone. and was shown upstairs to
the sitting-room.
As he drew aside the heavy portiere he
started back, for in the center of the room
stood Miss Lindsey.
Goodbye, Blanche. she was saving. |
shall not be at the wedding, but | wish
you every joy.
Stay, Miss Lindsey" Allan cried out.
81 have something to say to you!"
"Mr. Westlock Pr she stammered, while
every vestige of color forsook her lovely
face, and Blanche stood in mute surprise.
miss Merle" Allan went on abruptly,
II have known ever since you promised
to be my wife that had no hold whatever
upon your heart. To-day | have heard
what leads me to suppose that you entered
into your engagement with me in mo-
ment of pique Is it true ?"
Blanche sank down into a chair and
covered her face with her hands.
At the same moment Charlie Leonard
confronted her with white and desper-
ate face.
Tell him the truth before it is too
late ~ he said hoarsely. You leve me,
Blanche. You belong to me-
Yes" she gasped, finging herself
upon his breast, and bursting into tears.
''Oh, Charley Charley Why did YOU
take me at my word? Why did you go
away ?"
A look of unspeakable relief came over
Allan's face.
Thank God it is not too late,' he said
fervently. blanche, YOU are free. For