The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-06-13

C8rlesford
at is enough" he said huskily, turn
ing away, as little Bessie's footstep
sounded in the hall 81 have asked,
and have asked in vain. The offense
never shall be repeated"
Cora sprang to his side, pale and ca
ger When human soul trembled in
the balance, how could she stop to
weigh the pros and cons of ortho-
dox etiquette
"Take it," che murmured, drawing
eff the ring which Alban Carlesford
had placed on her finger; "but remem-
ber, it is but for to day."
His murmured blessing scarcely
reached her ear, so bewildered was she
with the conflict of emotions within
her heart and the next moment she
was alone in the room, and Bessies
tiny hand upon the door-knob.
"Where is Uncle Bruce p lisped the
child 81 couldn't anywhere find his
eye-glass, and mamma said it was
hanging on his watch ribbon
Messrs. Stone e. Sparkle's elegant
emporium of jewelry was crowded as
Mr.. Carlesford sauntered down the
marble-paved room, but Mr.. Sparkle
himself came eagerly forward to meet
the new customer.
"What can we do for you sir p ques-
toned Mr.. Sparkle, rubbing his plump
white hands smiingly together.
"Emerland, sir : Certainly. Please
to step this way There is very choice
set just sent in-old Mrs. Balaplan's
sir, that used to be-setting little old
fashioned, to be sure, but the stones
much choicer than you see nowadays
We could reset them for 500, and"
Mr.. Sparkle opened a little private
drawer as he spoke-a special sanctum
where he kept choice jewels, rare
canoes, and priceless antiques. AS he
sought about for the emeralds, Mr..
Carlestord's eye was caught by the gilt
ter Of large solitaire diamond, set
round with tiny seed pearls.
"Why!' he calculated, "that's the
very ring"
"That we sold you last week. Exact.
ly so," chimes in Mr.. Sparkle. SIT is
here only on deposit to raise little
money temporarily. We are often call
ed on in that way"
Alban CarlesfOrd's brow had grown
very dark.
"Who brought it here 2
"Well, really, sir we don't usually
81 insist upon knowing! thundered
the young man, furiously.
''But to you, sir, in confidence,
don't mind mentioning it," hurried on
the terrified Mr.. Sparkle. st was Cap
tain Bruce Wayne"
"Bruce Wayne!"
Mr.. Carlesford stood silent for
minute or two, while every feature O.
his face seemed to settle and grow rigic
as if it had been carved in marble.
"Thank you that will do
will not look at the emeralds thi
afternoon"
| What storm of contending passion
shook Alban Carlesford's breast as h
walked along with mechanical footstel
scarcely looking whittier he went.
| Deceived, sighted, betrayed, his yer,
betrothal gifts gone to swell the rapa
cious purse of a mere spendthrift lik
Bruce Wayne
81 have been fool-a lovesick fool |!
ne muttered between his clenched teeth
"and ! am fittingly repaidp
| When Cora Vane returned from he
days round of music lessons weary ye
happy (for had not the consciousness
of good mans love gone with her cl
her tedious way y she found a note "
ing on the table, a note directed in Al
ban Carlesford's hand.
| She took it up and broke the sea
with soft crimson glowing over he
face; but as her eyes glanced over tn
contents deadly hue usurped tn
deadly carmine. 1t read thus
MISS VANE; return your troth. Gar
tain Wayne is welcome to the damon
ring, as well as your heart. want N
secondhand affection SAC"
AS she stood there pale and startle
| nhooh SathC W Iuo uOOT. III WAS It
peated; and then the door was opene
as in despair of an answer and Bruc
Wayne stood there eager and smiling
81 have brought you your ring, Cori
and it has saved Inc. May Heave
bless you as truly as / shall ever do T.
"lt's too late, said Cora, in a strang,
hard sort of voice "Read that ~
Bruce Wayne glanced over the not,
"Cora," he said earnestly, "this mu,
not be. No fatal mistake such as thj
must undermine the happiness of tw
lives-and through my fault, too l wi
see him myself"
sit will be of no use," said Cora "h
is as stern as a rock in this matter. II
will see no one. At least that was tn
answer brought to the door by his Sc
want.
81 must see him. said Bruce Wayn,
"stand aside, my man."
And he pushed his determined wa
directly into Alban Carlesford's pre-
enoe.
captain Waynel'
, But Bruce was not to be dishearte
ed by the frigid sarcasm of the voice
"Carlesford y he cried, "you mu
listen to me while | tell you what