Smyrna times., 1885-09-02
In a Moment of Pique.

O''O''t VI IquOI
" You're too good fellow to be triHei
with, Allen, said Charley Leonard in
confidential tone Il hate to see ,
woman make fool of you, and Nora
Lind"
What makes you think she's making
a fool of me z" Allen asked, in a quiet
way, that concealed the depth of his
feelings
My dear boy, you must look at these
tnlngs In commOn-sense light. Miss
Lind is an heiress-the richest girl in
Cambridge; you are"
"What?"
We'll, you know very well, Allen
that from a worldly point of view. Won
are poor, like myself. "
" have a few thousands, Charley
and then there is my profession. I
could support wife comfortably ON NV
income. I have enough to make n
woman happy if she loves me"
"Yes-if! That's just itw cried
m
Charley, springing up and pacing the
room with a restless stride. Women
do not love now-a-days-not with their
hearts, at least"
Allen looked up half quizicallv.
All, l thought there was something
behind all this cynicism," he said
You have been playing with the divine
hre again. You and your Dulcinea are
out!
Don't joke about it, Al, for heavens
sake It's a home thrust this time
Three weeks ago thought my happi-
ness was assured. The woman 7 lovad
had promised to marry me, and now
for the merest triAe, she has cast me
aside. No wonder have no faith in
women"
I'm sorry to hear it, Charley, and
nope 1t may prove lovers quarrel
But you must not expect me to sbare
you doubts. will not deny it 1 love
Nora Lind with my whole soul and
intend to ask her to marry me-"
" wish you all success, AL. Forgive
me for meddling."
Inc door opened and rough old fell
low came in-One of Aliens clients
Charley picked up his hat and left with
the brief remark
"Ill see you later"
1t was while Allen was engaged with
this client that the postman came in
and threw down thick envelope with
graceful superscription that STRONGLY
with the careless, dasb;nC
style OF his business correspondanco
Aliens heart bounded His patience
hardly lasted until he was alone and
,ould open the letter. It was longer
nan Miss Linds notes usually were
wo pages, beginning MY dear Mr.
Nestlock. and ending Your friend
.lways, Nora Lind"
Your letter was really favor she
aid on the first page. "Seaton is n
'retty place, but horribly dull in winter.
snail be glad to get back to Cambridge.
was very kind of you to ask me 70
o and see Bernhardt next Wednesday
will give me great pleasure to 90"
Then the letter rambled on in a pleas
nt way till the bottom of the fourth
age there was a complete break. The
econd page did not go with the first
all Neither words nor ideas were
Allen turned it over in be-
llderment and finally held it still and
ead !
am only flirting with Mr.. West :
'ck' and leading him on for fun. Don't .
istress yourself, dear Blanche. know :
hat is best for my own happiness 7
lau never marry a man whom 1 do not j..
We"
The paper trembled in Aliens hands.
ID he almost gasped for breath. :.
Good heavens What does this
can 7" he cried hOarsely. :,
Slowly it dawned upon him that part |,
letter, not intended for his ewes. :,
ld been inclosed in the envelope that
at bore his address But what did it ..
veal to him2 /.
Allen crushed the note in his hand .,
ID sank back in his chair. It was i,
'urs before he could command him :,
II but finally he rallied and enclosed ~
o theatre tickets in the following
tie -
MY DEAR MISS LIND :-Circum.
Ances compel me to recall nv invita- 30
N for Wednesday next / inoloso "
uckets You have SO many atten. "'
nus am sure that you will not want
an escort. Hoping you will enjoy lat
performance, am Miss Lind. M
Truly yours,
ALLEN WEsTLooK.
That was oil. ms
She shall never know by word Of ~
me- " he said, as he dropped this note ON
the box ON his way to supper. :
mat dream is over, and my happiness O''
an end forever but she shall NOT
% %ow t. Twill hide my pain from her s'i s
nat evening, when society was about AZ. ~.
lRenlng to the touch of dissipation. ~ = /,
On Wostlock presented himself in 4
i''esS attire IN the parlor of an uu- '',i
n residence.
how fortunate am to find Won a. and
ne he said, as he bent over the "hl
4 white hop1 oe 80 eAo