The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-10-09
Promise me you win not tell him. !"

Her passion subdued in moment
"There is only one thing more have
to ask of you" she said. &c Forget this
visit Let it be as if it had never been"
&c you wish it." 900 - l'
He had barely uttered the words
when she was gone. aa r.
IT was wrong" he muttered. ''She
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 your
self" cried his friend, holding out
hand, which Charley ignored.
"I cannot shake hands with you,
Allen, till I am sure you are not the
knave 1 have been led to suppose you
are" r. ,}er
How ?"
"Why did you lie to me about Miss
Lind? You told me you meant to ask
her to marry you"
for moment he looked sadly ct his
friend.
Charley, wouldn't say this to any
one but you. I am wretched. love
Nora Lind with my whole soul, but I
have found out that she is utterly un-
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"
Impossible"
st tell you it is true"
Eff it were true, what then? In two
days I shall marry Miss Merle"
mo, You will not. You shall not
w.ecA Tie happiness OF four lives q
once. There is yet time, Allen. Re
treat! You must-you shall Blanch,
was to have been NY wife, not yours
It is whom she loves, not YOU"
"You, Charley Was it she Who
eyes, it was she! How dared yor
attempt to steal her from me?"
Aliens face whitehead
why did you not tell me before?'
he cried. "Do not stand there railing
at me! l will go to Blanche ut once"
mot without me-"
"You may come"
They both presented themselvesa at Miss
Merle's an hour later. but Allan asked to
see her alone, and was shown up stairs
to the sitting room. AS he entered he
started back. for in the centre of the
| roop, stood N;oo r ind
"Good-by, Blanche" she was saying.
81 shall not be at the wedding, but
wish you every JOY"
Stay, Miss Lind. have something
to say to you," Allen cried.
"Mr Westlock" she stammercd,
while every vestige of color left her
lovely face, and Blanche regarded both
in mute surprise.
miss Merle, Allen went on abruptly,
81 have known ever since you promised
to be my wife that had no hold what
ever upon your heart To-day I have
heard what leads me to suppose that you
entered into your engagement with me
in moment of pique. Is it true?'
Blanche sank into chair and covered
her face with her hands
| At the same moment Charley Leonard
confronted her with white and desper-
ate face.
"Tell him the truth before it is too
late, he said hoarsely. "You love me.
Blanche. You belong to me?'
Eyes, she gasped, finging herself on
his breast and bur-ting into tears
sob, why did you take me at my word,
Charley? Why did you go away ?"
A look of unspeakable relief came
over Aliens face.
"Thank God it is not too late !" he
said, fervently. Blanche, you are
flee. Forgive me, but have never
loved you. I-ah-Miss Lind, are you
in?"
The slight, graceful figure fell half
fainting into his arms.
"Come away" Charley whispered;
and Allen was left alone with that lovely
white face resting ON his arms
Her eyelids Enclosed in moment and
she struggled to support herself.
"Sit down and interpret this letter
for me" he said. giving her the mysteri-
GUS note to read.
"There was some mistake, she fall
tered. 81 wrote to you and Blanche on