The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-06-21

exeitedly. "You shall not wreck the
happiness Of four lives at oncel There
is yet time. Allan Retreat You
must-you shall Blanche Merle was
to have been my wife--not yours 1t
is | whom she lovos--not you"
"You, Charley2 Was it she who
you"
eyes, it was she! How dared youat-
tempt to steal her from meY
Adams face was very white.
"Why did you not tell me before?"
he cried. "Do not stand there rail-
ing at me! | will go to Blanche at
onceW N
"Not without meW
"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 por-
there he started back, for in the center
Of the room stood Miss Nora Lind
sey. -
"Good-byo, Blahche,' she was say
ing. 81 shall not be at the wedding,
but | wish you every JOY"
"Stay, Miss Lindseyl" Allan cried
out. 81 have something to say to,
your
"Mr. Westlock!" she stammered,
while every vestige Of color forsook
her lovely,faee, and Blanche stood by
in mute surprise.
"Miss Merle" Allan went on alb
ruptly, II have known ever since you
promised to be my wife that ! had no
hold ON your heart To-day | have
heard what leads me to suppose that
you entered into your engagement
with me in a moment of pique Is it
true?'
: Blanche sank down into a chair,
and covered her face with her hands.
AT the same moment Charley Leon
| ard confronted her with white and
, desperate face.
r "Tell him the truth before it is too
lateW he cried hoarsely. "You love
. me, Blanche You belong to mew
"Yes," she gasped, fiinging herself
< upon his breast, and bursting into
t tears. ooh, Charley, Charley Why
d did you take me at my words? Why
t did YOU go away
S A look Of unspeakable relief came
t over Allan's face.
"Thank God it is not too later he
d said fervently. blanche, you are
$ free Forgive me, but | have never
loved YOU I--ah-Miss Lindsey are
you ill"
" The slight graceful figure swayet
II forward, and fell half-fainting into hi
y arms. -4-e.,
t. "Come awaym Charley whispered
and Allan was left alone with tha
n lovely white face resting upon hi
D breast.
/ Her delicate eyelids Enclosed in
d moment and she struggled to supper
herself.
IS "Sit down" he said, drawing her in
)f to chair, "and tell me once for all
did you mean what you said in thi
g, letter."
t. Then he gave her the letter (
5, read.
y, "There was some mistake" she fall
cred, 81 wrote to yuu and to Blapch
ID on the same afternoon; ! sent yC
,e part of her letter, and her part {
:; yours ; but indeed did not say this
It. that-that- Oh, there was SOME
thing left out am sure there was
r something on the other sheet. / iol
u.s. GOT.
Allan caught her little hand i
Mt his
T. mora" he said in deep thrillin
p tones, ''the loss of you nearly kiIle
a me, for | worship you with my Who'll
"a soul There has been Il mistake; b,
to one thing you did say. You said so
re would not marry man you didi
oh love. Darling, may l-dare | hol
you will marry me?"
" He gathered her to his arms as J.
d. spoke, and her lips were so close h
could easily hear the half-whispert
h "Yes!"
ut (Which means?" he asked tendcrl
he "That | love you very much"
The last ray Of doubt was clc'EC
he way when Blanche brought her le
I'd, ter to patch out what she called II
lite "epistolary puzzle"
= "You know me too well to thin
it that | am flirting with NJ
Westlock," etc, was the way the l.
nut ter read then, and Allan was Who'll
le-' satisfied.