Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-08-28
IN A MOMENT OF PIQUE.

YOU. and Nora Lindsey
"What makes YOU think she's max
inc fool of me?" Allan asked, in
quiet way that quite concealed the
depth of his feelings.
INV dear boy, you must look at these
things in n common-sense light Miss
Lindsey is an heiress-the richest girl
in Cambridge; you are
"WhatPf
"Well, you know very well, Allan,
that, from worldly point of view, you
are poor. like myself
ii have few thousands, Charley;
and then, there's my profession. l
could support wife comfortably on
NV income. have enough to make a
woman happy, if she loved me.
Yes, if-if! That's just itr' 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 fancyr'
Allan looked up, half-quizzically.
"Ah, l thought there was something
behind all this cynicism," he said.
You have been playing with the di-
vine fire again. You and your Dulcinea
are 'out'r'
"con't joke about it. Al, for Heav-
ems sakel It's home-thrust this
time. Three weeks ago | thought my
happiness was assured. The woman |
loved had promised to marry me; and
now, for the merest tritie, she has cast
me aside. No wonder have no faith
in women or their profession.
I'm sorry TO hear it, Charley-in-
deed am-and hope it may only
prove lovers quarrel. But you must
not expect me to share your doubts. l
will not deny it; | love Nora Lindsey
with my whole soul, and intend to
ask her to be my wife. y
well, wish you success Al. For
give me for meddling, | only"
The door opened, and Il rough old fell
low came hum bering in-one OF Adams
clients.
Charley picked up his nat and left,
with the brief remarks:
iii see you later.
Il was while Allan was engaged with
this client that the postman came in
and threw down upon the desk u thick
envelope, with a graceful superscrip-
ton that contrasted strongly with the
careless dasning style of his business
correspondence.
Allan heart bounded.
His patience hardly lasted till he
was alone and could open the letter.
1t WAS rather longer than Miss
Lindsey favo.s usually were-two
full sheets. beginning: INV dear Mr..
Westiock. and ending, Your friend
always-Nora Lindsey"
Your lotlor 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 90 and see Bernhard
next Wednesday, 1t will give me great
pleasure TO dc so.
Then the letter rambled on in a
pleasant way till the bottom of the
fourth page, when there was acomplete
break.
The second sheet did not go with the
first at all Neither the words nor the
ideas were in any way connected.
Allan turned it over and over in new
bewlderment, and finally held it per-
lttll} SUN, Nlltu lhCAt llliCo stu GA AlAh
straight in the face:
81 am only flirting with Mr.. West
lock. and leading him on for the sake
of amusement Don't distress your
self, my dear Blanche. know what is
best for my own happiness. | shall
never marry a man whom | do not
love"
The paper trembled in Allan's hands,
and he gasped for breath.
Good Heavens!' he cried hoarsely.
''What does this mean?"
Slowly it dawned upon him that, by
some mistake, part of another letter.
not intended for his eyes, had been en-
closed in the envelope that bore bis
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 distorted countenance.
1t was hours before he could COM
mand himself; but once he gained the
mastery, he drew from his pocket-book
two theater tickets, and, taking up
sheet of elegant note-paper, wrote as
follows:
"AIY DEAR MISS LINDSEY. -Circum-
stances compel me TO recall my invita-
ton for Wednesday next. l enclose
you the tickets. You have SO many at
PENDANTS that l am sure you will not
want for any escort. Hoping you will
enjoy the performance, | am, yours
truly, ALLAN WESTLOCK.
That was all!
"Sho shall never know by word or
act 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 for ever; but
she shall not know IT, / will hide my
suffering from her if | die for it,
That evening when society was
about awakening to the touch Of dissl-
patton, Allan Westlock presented HIM
self in faultless attire in the parlor OF q
pretty up-to n residence.
How for nate | am to find you az
home!H he nurmured, rs he bent over
the slender white hand Of tall grace
full girl, in an exquisite dress OF pale
blug sursA But what have you been
doing to yoarsci, Miss Blanche? You
arc not looking at all we'll.