Smyrna times., 1885-09-02

!
view OF his approaching marriage 1 wisl
TO make settlement i'll his favor. Fo,
reasons of my own l do not wish him (,
know to whom he is indebted. Her,
are two thousand pound bonds"
Two thousand pounds! Are you in
earnest, madam p
&" Here are the bonds, she said. hold.
ing them out in an unglovod hand.
As Charley took them he caught the
flash OF a fine rose diamond, and imme-
dlately recognized the fair owner.
" Miss Lind Is it possible2"
She drew back with start. but
Strengthened up proudly the next mo-
ment, and raised her veil.
" Yes it is l. she said with dignity
Have not the right to give him this
money if 1 wish ?"
But, Miss Lind, have you thought"
" Thought! Have 1 thought of any,
thing else for two weeks? The money
is for Allen. Give it to him, but prom
Use me you will not tell him it"
DO not excite yourself SO. Miss
Lind, You are i'll, you"
Promise me you will not tell him. /"
she cried, frantically.
No, no, certainly not"
Her passion subdued in a moment
There is only one thing more I have
to ask OF you, she said. Forget tbis
visit. Let it be as if it had never been "
If you wish it.
He had barely uttered the words
when she was gone.
l was wrong" he muttered. "Sbe
did love him after all. It was Allen
who was trifing with her"
That evening, for the first time in
months, he went to see Allen.
Where have you been hiding vour-
self :" cried his friend, holding out a
hand, which Charley ignored.
l cannot shake hands with Won.
Allen till 1 am sure you are not the
knaYe l have been led to suppose Won
are"
How"
Why did you lie to me about Miss
Lind? You told me you meant to ask
her to marry you"
A change came over Aliens face. and
Tor moment he looked sadly at his
friend.
Charley, I wouldn't say this to any
one but you. I am wretched. I love
Nora Lind with my whole soul, but I |
have found out that she is utterly nm |
worthy Of me. You told me so. but"
II was blind, insane, irresponsible
she is the noblest woman know. You
love her and she loves you."
Impossiblew
u tell you it is true"
Ii 1t were true. what then? In two
days l shall marry Miss Merle"
No.. you will not You shalI not
wreck the happiness of four lives at
'nce There is yet time, Allen. Re
reat You must-yOu shall Blanche
vas to have been my wife, not yoursI
It is l whom she loves, not you."
You, Charley? Was it she Who"
Yes, 1t was she! How dared you
'ttempt to steal her from me?"
Aliens face whitened.
Why did you not tell me before ?"
le cried DO not stand there railin0 !
me! will go to Blanche at once"
Not without me-"
"You may come"
They both presented themselves at Miss
lerles an hour later. butAllan asked to
&c her alone, and was shown up stairs
the sitting room. As he entered he
arted back, for in the centre of the
'Om stood Miss Lind.
" GoOd-by, Blanche, she was saving.
l shall not be at the wedding, but / G
ish yOu every joy" =
Stay, Miss Lind. 1 have something
say to you, Allen cried.
" Mr. Westlock" she stammered.
lile every vestige of color left her
vely face, and Blanche regarded both
mute surprise.
p" Miss Merle, Allen went ON abruptlv. TT
have known ever since you promised
be my wife that had no hold what
er upon your heart To-day l have So
ard what leads me to suppose that you Ar
tered into your engagement with me
moment of pique Is it true?" ste
Blanche sank into a chair and covered r.. r.,
r face with her hands
1t the same moment Charley Leonard
lfronted her with white and desper- 80
face.
Tell him the truth before it is too
, he said hoarsely. "You love me. Ni,
niche. You belong to me?" vi
Yes she gasped, flinging herself on
breast and bursting into tears.
n, why did you take me at my word -
'rieyY Why did you go away ?" J. I
look OF unspeakable relief came
+ Aliens face.
Thank God it is not too late wbo u
l. fervently. Blanche, Won are
: Forgive me. but I have never ~
a you I-ah-Miss Lind, are Won W
ne slight graceful figure fell half
tlng into his arms
Come away!" Charley whisnarod. ss-l
A,ieh was left alone with that lovely -
. lace resting on his arms. r.
ef eyelids unelosed in amomant ond I