The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-10-09

Slowly it dawned upon him that part
of letter, not intended for his eyes,
had been inclosed in the envelope that
that bore his address. But whnt did it
reveal to him? AL fsH aa2 4s,3
Allen crushed the note in his hand
and sank back in his chair. 1t was
hours before he could command him
self but finally he rallied and enclosed
two theatre tickets in the following
"MY DEAR MISS LIND Circum.
stances compel me to recall my invita-
ton for Wednesday next. l inclose
the tickets. You have so many atten-
dants am sure that you will not want
for an escort. Hoping you will enjoy
the performances I am Miss Lind,
Truly yours,
That was all.
''Shs shall never know by word Of
mine. nc said, as he dropped this note
IN tile box on MS way TO supper.
"That dream is over, and my happiness
OF an end forever; but she shall not
know it. I will hide my pain from Ler
or die"
That evening, when society was about
awakening to the touch of dissipation,
Allen Westlock presented himself in
taultless attire in the parlor of on up
town residence.
"How fortunate am to find you at
home !" he said, as he bent over the
slim white hand of graceful girl in
pale blue surah. "But you &-e not
we'll what have you been doing to your
self, my dear Miss Blanche?"
Blanche Merle replied with q light
laugh. whose studied indifference could
not wholly deaden the ring of sad
note.
cit is dissipation" she answered,
with glance in the mirror opposite.
"I have been to three balls this week.
was going to the Charity ball tonight,
but"
"Why, I'd forgotten all about it
This is the night. Charley Leonard
gave me tickets. He is one of the man
ayers"
Man as he was, and not at all interested
in Miss Merle, Allen failed to note the
quick, spasmodic twitching of her
mouth and sudden pallor when he men
toned Charley Leonard.
by the way, Miss Blanche, let us
take look in at the Charity" he said,
carelessly.
81 will go for little while" she as
scented.
Allen went for carriage while she ar
rayed herself in brilliant ball costume.
When she came down stairs again robe
of white satin embroidered with forget
me-nots, tralled after her. Her eyes
shonc with unusual brilliancy, and her
cheeks were slightly flushed.
Allen thought her very lovely, but
the image of Nora Lind's dark bewitch-
ing face, framed in raven hair, her red
lips and dazzling smile, her smooth
throat of creamy olive clasped by dia-
monds scarcely brighter than her eyes,
rose up before him, but he tried to
Danish even her name from his memory.
The night wore on. Blanche's "ittle
while grew longer, and when she rode
home, pale and tired, she was Allen
Westlock's promised wife. The engage
ment was announced, and society was
taken by surprise, but the wedding day
was fixed, and there was no mistake
about it.
Two weeks before the wedding Charley
Leonard sat in his Office resting his
grave face in his hands, when lady,
heavily yelled, came in.
"You are Mr.. Leonard, Mr.. Westlock's
friend, I think ?" she said, in voice
that sounde familiar.
81 used to count myself so, but"
Not noticing his bitterness of tone,
size went on
"Then you will oblige me. I am
friend of Mr.. Westlock's too, and, in
view of his approaching marriage wish
to make o settlement in his favor. For
reasons of my own do not wish him to
know to whom he is indebted. Here
are two thousand pound bonds"
1.-TWO thousand pounds! Are you in
earnest, madam ?"
Here are the bonds, she said, hold
ing them out in an ungloved hand.