Daily Republican., 1884-02-08
BY LUNA'k LIGHT.
BY CLYDE RAYMOND.


A little sh,iek OF terror broke iron
the lips of the two listeners.
How dare you do that ?" Crie'
Lily Bell, petite blonde, who looked
timid enough TO flee from her owl
shadow.
Why, I'd be afraid to 60 there In
the broadcast daylight. The most
shall venture to do is to 60 down cellar
backward with looking glass and a
caudlsin my hands. And that's terri
bic ugh p
And cold shudder ran over her little
figure at the very thought,
first speaker.
"Oh, l shall sit up long enough to
watch yon two foolish virgins start OIL
on your ghostly trips. Then | shall
write some names on slip of paper and
simply go to bed and dream on them.
None of your ghost-walks for me,
please" said Agnes Troy, q rather
large-framed, very bIight-looking bru-
nette who was, in reality, q much
greater coward than either of her COM
paniOns.
1t was Halloween, and the three
girls had met together at the home of
Lily Bell for the express purpose OF try
ing some of the lovers spells said to be
effective on that mystic night.
But, while they were talking over
their mysterious plans, with many
superstitious shudders and bursts of
merry laughter. we will 20 back two
years and glance at brief chapter in
the life Of Dora Sterling, the young
lady who declared her intention of try
ing her fortune at the old well.
She had lover then-George Mark
ham-as noble fellow as ever breath
ed.
And it was her own fault that she
did not have him still. But jealousy !!
-ah, me the trouble 1t has caused in
this world of ours
Dora was then eighteen a bewitch-
ing girl with laughing brown eyes and
a smile like sunshine.
Only ono Thing marred her lowell
ness in Georges eyes, and that was the
spark OF jealousy in her nature which
was ever ready to kindle intoa blaze at
a moments notice.
This was very annoying to her lover,
who, though devoted 10 Dora, possessed
q genial, merry nature which delighted
in being pleasant to all, and rendered
him social favorite to all.
More than one young lady envied
Dora her handsome lover, and Dora
knew it. And of one she was particu-
larly jealous.
Clara Conroy was sparkling, bril-
liant girl of about Dora's own age, who
loved u gay song or waltz, or, still
better, q skillfully executed practical
Joke, far more than she loved to say her
prayers.
Being we'll aware of Dora's special
weakness, it one day entered into
Clara's fertile brain to play a joke upon
her, and "givc her something to be
jealous Of" AZ she expressed it.
Accordingly, after much thought,
she dispatched two nOtes-one to George
inveigling him to romantic spot near
q fountain in the village park at q given
hour the other anonymous, ofcOurse)
to Dora, informing her that If she would
pass that particular spot at q specified
time she would have the pleasure of
seeing her lover in the company of her
most dangerous rival. If she (Dora)
doubted the writer's statement she
had but to go and SEQ with her own
eyes, ETC., etc., as letters of that kind
usually 60.
George kept the appointment, expect
ing to meet the masculine chum whose
name had been appended to the note;
but found, instead, Clara Conroy, who
readily invented some excuse for her
which made 1t seem quite &C.
cidental.
Once in Clara's society it was just as
not to yield to the charm of
her gay good nature as it would be tol
resist the influence of a bright spring
day, and George was soon laughing and
pleasantly with her, as inno-
cent of wrong as cherub.
But to Dora, happening by at the
exact time specified in her note, 1t i
looked very like a preconcerted meet |
ing.
Her brown eyes flashed fire, but she
bowed to the two and hur-
ried on without speaking.
When George called that evening, the
storm burst upon his devoted head. In
vain he explained the situation and
protested his entire innocence. Dora
would not be convinced.
"You seemed to be enjoying yourself
in her society, at all
events" she declared, ungraciously.
"Why, Of COURSE" he returned, un-
adding insult to injury.
"Who could help enjoying Clara
Conroy's society She's one of the
jolliest girls on EARTH"
Its 700 bad you didn't find that |
out sooner, then, George" said Dora,
her lips trembling a little with some
that was not altogether anger.
eff you think you would be happier
with her, why"
"Dora - cried George, provoked be-
yond endurance, if this is not stopped
I will"
He checked his hssty words, but
the next instant he added, still AL
yrily: Il
"Dora, this nonsensical jealousy Is
trying enough in ones sweetheart In
\ wife 1t would be simply insufferable."
Dora threw her head back proudly,
,teadying her trembling tones as she
poke:
~ understand you, sir" she said,
laughtily. 81 think we had better
part"
"Do you mean that, Dora?"
"Yes, do" she answered, firmly.
every WE'LL" he said. III have
rood offer to go out West which l had
nade up my mind to refuse, solely to
,iease you. Now, suppose am at
liberty to accept IT."
"Certainly."
"Good-bye, then, Dora, shall 60 at
nce."
"Go6d.byep'
No human being would ever know
he effort 1t cost her to say that word
Without breaking down. !
But she did it, and George was gone,