The Wilmingtonian., 1885-09-26
THE STORY TELLER.
In a Moment of Pique.

with, Allen, saiu Snariey lioohatu IN p"
confidential tone. II hate to see a
woman make fool of you, and Nora
Lind"
"What makes you think she is making
a fool of me?' Allen asked, in quiet
way, that concealed the depth of his feel
ings.
''My dear boy, you must look at these
things in common sense light. Miss Lind
is an heiress--the richest girl in Cambridge;
you are"
"What?"
'Well, You know very well, Allen, that
from a worldly point of view you are poor,
like myself"
81 have a few thousands, Charley, and
there is my profession. | could support a
wife comfortably on my income. l have
enough to make woman happy if she loves
me-"
"Yes--ifl That Isl ust itl' cried Charley
bprlnBluS W nis 1851 anu paving pho iooni
with restless stride. Women do not
love w-a-days-not with their hearts at
least"
Allen looked up hall fquizieally.
"Ah, thought there was something be-
hind all this cynicism," he said. "You
have been playing with the divine
fire again. You and your Dulcinea are
out.
"Don't joke about it, AL, for heavens
sakel 1t is home thrust this time. Three
weeks ago thought my happiness was as
sured. The woman loved had promised to
marry me, and now, for the merest trife
she has cast me aside. No wonder l have
no faith in women"
81 am sorry to hear it, Charley, and
hope it may prove lovers quarrel. But
you must not expect me TO share youi
donbts. will not deny it; love Nora LIND
with my whole soul, and intend to ask hei
to marry me-"
~ wish you all success, AL. Forgive me
for meddling."
The door opened and a rough old fellow
came in-one of Aliens clients. Charley
picked up his hat and left with the brief re
mark"
''Ill see you later"
1t was while Allen was engaged ith thi
client that tne postman came in and threw
down thick envelope with a graceful su
prescription that strongly contrasted will
the careless, dashing style of his busines
correspondence.
Aliens heart bounded. His patienc
hardly lasted until he was alone and coulc
open the letter. 1t was longer than Mis-
Lind's notes usually were-two pages, be
ginning "My dear Mr.. Westlock," ant
ending, ''Your friend always, Nor
Lind'' ~
- faz.. = !. : !. ri, !. : eavor > sss' al,
on the first page. 'seaton is pretty place
but horribly dull in winter. l shall be glaC
to get back to Cambridge. 1t was yer,
kind of you to ask me to go and see Bern
hardt next Wednesday. 1t will give m
great pleasure to 60"
Then the letter went on in a pleasant wa
till tile bottom of the fourth page, there wa
a complete break. The second page did nc
go with the first at all. Neither words nc
ideas were connected. Allen turned it owe
in bewiderment and finally held it still an
read:
Il am only flirting with Mr.. Westlocl
and leading him on for fun. Don't distres
yourself, dear Blanche. | know what
best for my happiness. shall never ma
ry man whom l do not love. .-.
The paper trembled in Aliens hands, an
he almost gasped for breath.
'tGood heavensl What does this mean2
he cried hoarsely.
Slowly it dawned upon him that part of
letter, not intended for his eyes, had bee
enclosed in the envelope that bore h
address. But what did it reveal
him?"
Allen crushed the note in his hand al
sank back in his chair. 1t was hours b
fore he could command himself; but final
he rallied and enclosed two theatre ticke
In the following note:
'My Dear Miss Lind Circumstanc
compel me to recall my invitation for We
nesday next l inclose the tickets. Y
have so many attendants, am sure y
will not want for an escort. Hoping y
will enjoy the performance, am NJ
Lind
Truly Yours,
Allen Westlock. y
That was all.
"She shall never know by word of mine
he said, as he dropped this note In the b
on his way to supper. "That dream is o.
and my happiness at an end forever; but S
shall not know it, will hide my pain FRI
her or die"
That evening, when society was abe
awakening to the touch of dissipation, All
Westloek presented himselfin faultless
i,, t1,n nr