Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-12-18

a diamond mirror that hung just op-
posite in a plush frame. i have been
to three balls this week. was going
to another to-uight-.the charity ball,
you know-but-'
why, I'd forgotten all about This
is the night. Charley Leonard gave
me couple of tickets. He's one Of
the managers this Year.
Man as he was and not at all inter-
ested in Miss Merle, Allan failed to
note the quick, spasmodic twitching
of her mouth. the dropping of her eye
lids and deepening pallor of her face
when Charley Leonards name was
mentioned.
BY the way, Miss Blanche, he add
ed csrelessly, let US take look in at
the charity, if you are not too tired.
She was too tired-worn out In
soul and body-but here was chance
to hide her aching heart behind the
mask Of gaity.
Il will go-for little while she
assented.
And Allan went for a carriage,
while she arrayed herself in brilliant
costume.
When she came down stairs again,
a robe of shimmering white satin, en-
broidered with forget me-nots, trailed
after her.
Her eyes shone with an unusual
brilllancy; her cheeks were flushed
and a cloud of lace enveloped her
blonde hair.
She is very lovely to look upon,
murmured Allan Westlock; but
The image OF Nora Lindseys dark
bewitching face, framed in mass OF
glossy raven hair, her red lips and daz-
cling smile, her full smooth throat ol
creamy olive, clasped by diamonds
ccarcely brighter than her eyes-lt
rose up before him.
But he shut his teeth and tried tc
Danish even her name from his mem
ory.
Inc nlRnb wore Oh.
Blanche Merle's slittle while grew
longer, and when, toward the dawn Of
the day, she rode home, weary ant
heartsick, she was Allan Westlock'
promised wife.
The engagement was announced In
due form the following week. Society
was taken by surprise, but the wedding
day was fixed, and there could be M
, mistake about it.
The weeks dragged on and cards
came out finally for the marriage %
Miss Merle and Mr.. Westlock.
Two weeks before the weddin!
Charley Leonard sat in his office, rest
ing his grave white face in his hands
= when the door opened. to admit LADY
heavily veiled.
5 You are Mr.. Leonard?' she querie'
} somewhat nervously, but in a voic
). that awakened echoes in his memory
'you are friend of-of-Mr. West
locks, I believer '-~..55 -se ,---
Q 4 used to count myself so,' Charlie
q answered with a singular bitterness:
!. 'but-'
o Then you will oblige me, she wer
u on hastily, 4 am friend of Mr.. Yves
it locks, too, and in view of his az
e preaching marriage, wish to make
settlement IN his favor. But for rea
!, ons of my own, do not wish hi
h to know to whom he is indebte:
e Here are two thousand pound bono
which,
h Two thousand poundsn Charlt
r cried. Are you in earnest, madame
|. Here are the bonds. she said, ratl
n er peremptorily, as she stretched o
it one little ungloved hand and laid Il
ID packet on the table.
AS she did so Charley caught t
= flash of a magnificent rose damon
re the owner of which was quite VIZ
r known to him.
at Miss Lindseyv he cried. is it pc
il sible?'
ot She drew back with a start b
Strengthened up proudly the next mt
Is ment, and threw back her vail.
Yes, it is l., she said with quee
y. ly dignity. Have I not the right
give him this money if wish?
oy But, Miss Lindsey, consider. Ha
II, you thought
en- Thought she burst forth passic
lis ately. Have I thought of anythi
n? else, night or day, for weaks past?
lis as l ask you. The money is for ALL
Give it to him, but swear to me Il
you will not tell him 1t was l who
d DO not excite yourself so, M
he Lindsey. You are ill, you-'
wo Promise me you will not tell hi
yet she cried frantically.
OIL NO, no; certainly not.
Her pass Ion subdued in a monet
NJ There is only one thing more
n have to ask you, she said, abrupt
in. Forget this visit. Let it be as thor
so it had never been.'
ou If you wish it, Charley answer
ng And he had barely uttered
am words ere she was gone.
On the table lay the packet
<. bonds
4 was wrong he muttered. 8
or did love him after all. 1t was A
,ed who was triaing with her.