Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-12-10
1t was with deep sense of regret
she heard of his intended departure.


My uncle has offered me position
in Calcutta, and have accepted said
Dudley, Il thought our last parting
was final, Blanche; tried to be recon
ciled then, but now-I have lost cour'
age, these few weeks in your presence
have unnamed me-
And they have taught me the valne
of true FRIEND she answered, with
! downcast eyes. Il shall miss you more
than ever, Dudley
A light cleaned in his eyes. He
drew nearer and held ou. his hands.
Come with me. Blanche. I haye
loved you long and faithfully. l will
make you happy-only trust me-
She looked away with troubled gaze.
Il do not love youDudley, 'she breath
ed. 'Not-not as / loved him.
Love will come with time,' he urg.
ed. my life is worth nothing to me
without the brightness of your pres.
ence to clear it. Will you condemn
! me to life of darkness, Blanche
Must my love be forever unrequited p
Partly out of pity for him, partly
because she had found his companion
ship so pleasant, Blanche yielded to his
entreaties.
1t was necessary that Dudley should
take an .early departure. Within a
week from the time he had gained
Blanche's consent, an announcement
Of the marriage was made in the yil.
lage church, the ceremony to ensue two
days later.
1t Was calm, clear April day. Il
her simple robes of white, with the
misty veil falling from her golden
braids, half coDcealing the fair face
beneath, Blanche stood at the altar be.
side the man to whom SD soon she
would be bound forever and aye.
Tie sacred rites begin. Through
the deep silence that prevailed in the
place, the solemn words sounded clear
and distinct, and Blanche listened with
an icy chill at her heart.
Then her dark eyes upraising saw,
over the throng Of watching faces, one
that made her pulse thrill. a white,
haggard face, with heavy, reproachful
eyes, the face of her old lover.
Her brain whirled, she took step
forward unsteadily, and threw out her
arms.
Lee = she cried aloud, and fell pros
trate.
The light gossamer veil foated aside,
and her face shone fair and pale in the
bright sunshine.
Dudley, bending over her. felt a
strong hand thrust him aside. and a
low voice breatbed Il:
Do not touch her I know now you
have played me false. She is mine,
Dudley Mesrole.'
" hSu oiouSuC iOtutuCu w CUuoCiOuos
ness, Lee Victor told his story.
Il have been ILL, he said so i'll,
Blanche, that even my physicians gave
up all hopes Of my recovery. Dudley
Mesrole was with me at the first.
dictated letters to you and my father
which he wrote, but he must have de-
stroyed them afterward, for not one
reached its destination. Then, while
lay at Deaths door, he left me and
came here. The rest you know. He
hoped to wed you and take you with
him to foreign shores before I returned
and discovered his treachery. A mer-
ciful providence brought me back to.
day. Blanche-do you love me yet p
More than ever, dear, she murmur-
ed.
1t was fortnight later that Blanche
again stood at the altar, and heard the
words that were now welcome to her.
Lee Victor had won his bride.
His false friend was not among the
guests. Thirteen days ago he had be-
gun his journey to Calcutta.