The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1885-11-14
VANITY HARDWARE.
BIZ ALAN MUIR.

by AlHV III III.
You sit alone with him. Yca stag together.
He takes you ON his knee You kiss him.
And you promised your love to me! Who il
that man! He is your secret-your dis
grace-your torlnentor dare say and you
were going to escape from him and bestQw
the treasure of your love ON ME, and we
were to fly to a foreign country that we
might not be pursued by-tl.is man. Therel
let us part now. BY this time you have
heard enough to satisfy you"
Vanity stood like statue listening to him:
but as he proceeded, surprise, not unmixed
with relief, took the place of grief and feal
in her face.
"You have discovered my secret, Willie,'
she said. but you don't understand it.
know how all this reached your ears That
wretched tipsy fellow who watched "
through the window told you"
''Let me say that he watched you by acct.
dent, so far as am concerned interposed
Willie; II never sent him to spy you out"
ut would not be like you to do it, " replied
Vanity gently.
She remained silent for a moment, and
then began again in a quiet, reasoning voice;
ION the whole, my mind is relieved by
what you have said What has been told
you is quite true as a matter Of fact; and Of
course you think it very strange. But as
sure you solemnly that all the suspicious
you have founded on it are imaginary. Re-
member the promise / asked you to give me
which you gave-that in spite Of all ap-
pearances of evil you would trust me- Why
did l obtain that promise but because l
knew that this difficulty in some shape or
other might arise Now, 1 know the de-
mands make on your love, but s. keep
that promise. Trust me as You promised to
trust ME. Your reward shall be the devo-
ton Of my life. II for any other reason you
want to break with me-if you think, ON
further consideration. that our marriage
upbraid YOU I shall bear my sorrow in
silence; but don't cast he of because you
suspect Inc of deceit AMI selfshness."
A little indignation-a faint shade of dis
Observation-Disclosures these last words
''Can vice speak with the voice Of virtuer'
asked Willie
''What:' cried Vanity, with flashing
look. But her fire only inflamed his.
IF you are angry with me-" he replied
fercely, Justify your anger. Explain who
your friend is. Tell mo his name-tell me
his relations with yourself--say how he can
he SO intimate with you, if you are free
and blameless.'
"All that" replied Vanity slowly, sis my
secret"
"And you will not disclose itf'
'Icannot: am bound"
There followed moments silence, and
then Willie spoke, not making any show Of
regret, which indeed under his circuu,.
stances was hardly to he expected.
Then we part; We part for evern
Vanity looked at hun as a wounded dee,
might look at huntsman, her eyes big
with an agony she had no speech to explain.
'You will not trust lnes" she said
II will not!" cried Willie furiously II
shall never speak to you again-I will
see your face NO more"
Without another word he turned awav
and left her. She made no movement while
he walked hastily across the field toward
the road. He half expected to hear her foot
step behind him, and finding she did not
follow, he stole a backward glance at her
just as he was leaving the field.
She had turned round and was looking
after him. When she saw him glance back'
she put out her arms imploringly, beseech
ing him in this silent way to return to her.
He answered by cold shake Of the head.
and then vanished out Of her sight.