Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-10-03
The Reigning Belle.

The Reigning Belle.
It was the great private ball Of tn,
season, given by an acknowledged leader
of fashion, the widow of millionaire
There was all the usual brilliancy o
light, flash of jewels, and richness o.
costume.
Two gentlemen, with the slightly bored
expression of habitual frequenters Of
such scenes, stood together, criticisinp
rather freely the beauty before them.
II see some new faces" Sidney CARL
said, his eyes sweeping over the figures
whirling to the sound of a Strass waltz
"Some" echoed his companion. 81
should imagine 80, after-how many
years."
Eight. have been away most of the
time; but even the Continent can scarce
ly surpass this in private life, Gordon"
and he turned quickly to face his COM
panion, his whole tone full of excited in
terest. "Who is that tall goddess in
wine.colored velvet, talking to Mrs.
Erskine?"
"You, too!' laughed his companion.
"No one gees Miss Bently, but asks the
question with the same eagerness."
Miss Bently! But who is she?"
"She is Mrs. Erskine's niece, for one
thing. She is the reigning belle of three
seasons, for another. She is undisputed
possessOr of several hundred thousands.
for another
sand still Mass Bently?"
"And still Miss Bently; as cold, as I'M
approachabie as one of the marble god
desses in the wall-niches opposite us.
There is aromantic story about her. Her
mother, 80 gossip asserts, ran away with
q low sort Of fellow, who was an Adonis
in humble life. She died early, and this
child was brought up in poverty, in a
country home, by q drunken father and
peat this, since, in spite of her surround
ings, she grew up to noble womanhood.
About six years ago her father died, and
relenting, left her his entire fortune.
Mrs, Erskine, her mothers sister, already
wealthy, as you know, instead of resent
ing her fathers will, at once sent for her
niece, put her in the hands of the best
masters, and introduced her to society.
She became belle at once, counts her
admirers by dozens, but will give en-
'couragement to none"
"a society firt!"
"You were never more mistaken. Miss
Bentley does not exercies the first princi-
pies of Irritation. She is perfect Diana
in GOODNESS"
"Yet wins other hearts, as-she has
won yours"
"Why should I deny it? No man
need blush to own he loves q woman he
shelieves to be perfect ideal of woman
yperfes,ction."
Something in the tone of the exclama-
ton made Frank Gordon look searching
ly into his companions face.
1t was handsome face. It was an
evil face. The eyes were crafty and
cruel, the lips sneered too readily, and
never had eyes and lips more truly be-
trayed their posseesor than at the mo-
ment when that "Ahw escaped him.
A deadly cold seemed to clutch for
one moment Frank Gordon's heart.
What did this man know of Hester
Bentley? What diabolical meaning was
there in that cold, cruel smile?
While he looked, his companions face
altered. A look, that was almost fear,
crept into his eyes, and he grew pale.
Following his glance, Frank Gordon
cav that it rested upon Hester Bentlev's
face. and saw in that face Q correspond
ing look of terror, but far more empha-
sized.
She was always pale, her rare beauty
of the statueeque order, but as he looked,
he thought the sudden ghastly pallof
was more suited to shroud and coffin |
than to velvet, jewels, and ballroom
glare.
As q bird approaches q serpent, fascin- |
ated, 90 che came slowly towards them,
seeming to move more by mechanism
than by volition Of will. Slowly, slowly,
unheeding some wondering eazers, Cross |
ing the wide room alone, threading her
way past the dancers, until she stood
face to face with Sidney CARL.
Her voice even was changed Is she
said:
'Sidney Carlp'
"At your service" he said mockingly.
His voice seemed to break the strange |
icy spell that bound her, and she rec
ognized Frank Gordon by gentle incli-
nation of her stately head.
aWhere have you been?" she asked
Sidney, "for eight years"
abroad, he said briefly.
Leaving me to suffer . thousand
deaths BY your silence?"
"You flatter me" he answered, still
With his cruel mocking smile.
81 must speak with you, Mr.. Gordon
shs said, "and Nh. CARL win not, think