The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-08-19
panionable in the highest degree, too
and a thoroughly good fellow"

iShuy up ooihStAillS ldils lloiH Iilc
pocket of her blouse and drops at
Archer's feet.
He stoops to raise it, and at the
same time Nora Turill, with flaming
countenance, bends and reaches out
her little hand.
"Give it to me-" she cries hurriedly,
as his dark, slender hands close upon it,
at that instant his gaze falls involun-
tarily upon the object-a sealed let
ter bearing, in the girls pretty chirog-
raphy, the address;
"Mr. Elmer Sartoris,
aAlbemarle Hotel,
"New York City"
He lifts his eyes and looks steadily at
the dropping face before him.
Nora hushes and pales alternately,
and her black lashes quiver but do
not rise.
Slowly peculiar flush dyes the
mans olive skin, and Il steely flash
comes into his eyes, his lips grow
white and tense.
Mora, may know the contents of
this letter." he asks, slowly.
"You have no right" she gasps, pres
sing her hands together, "Give it to
me, please"
Gle is but two hours gone, and yet
you write to him." Archer goes on,
anger vibrating through the words.
In an instant his jealous passion is
aroused. "Why should you write to
him, to my friend, and conceal it
from me? Why do you blanche now
and look away? Coquette they call
you--is it that you would trine with
two honest hearts, his and mine?
Have you deceived me, and now try
to lure him from duty? Nora, let me
read this letter; tell me why you have
written, else | shall believe you
guilty"
Those last words are i'll chosen.
Nora Terrill's head is crested and
her eyes shine.
Return the letter to me- she says
extending her hand.
"You shall not send it," he begins
hotIy; and then, as their eyes meet, he
assumes an expression that chils her
heart and drops the sealed envelope
into her hand
At that moment u man passes on
the walk beneath, and Nora leans
over the railing with smile.
"John, are you going to the yillage~
she asks. eyes? Well, may trouble
you to mail this letter."
"NoraW
She turns to find Archer confront
ing her with set face and blazing
eyes.
The letter is gone, but the mischief
is wrought.
"I ask you to explain" says Archer,
slowly, "for the last time"
She shivers little, and her eyes
grow wide with fear.
al cannot" she lalters. ooh, be-
leye me-"
He thrusts aside the hand she holds
out to him, and walks away without a
word
An hour later Nora Terrill watches
the noon stage depart.
Among the passengers is Mayo
Archer, and though he knows she is
standing there, he does not look back
and so they part.
"He has gone," thinks the girl, and
her eyes fill with tears. "But surely
he will not let so small q thing part
US; yet, know what his thoughts
were; but | could not tell him the
truth. He will go to Elmer Sartoris
J what will he tell him? Will he show
him my letter."
Strange to say, at the last self-quer-
} ry, the pretty face grows brighter and
the tears vanish.
| To Elmer Sartoris Noras lover
} goes, filed with wounded pride and
bitter jealousy.
He finds him in his elegant room al
; the Albemarle, writing letters, with q
{ cluster Of tapers burning at his ell
bow.
l 1t is evening OF the day following
his departure from the mountains ,and
Sartoris starts up with surprise as his
friend comes in.
, "You, Archer?' he cries ! did no
expect this pleasure fora month tC
Gomez
And he shakes his hand in hi'
, hearty fashion, and whirls grea
easy-chair before him.
I Settle yourself" he says joyially
II am busy with little writing here
one more note and I'm done"
$50 on-don't mind me- replies
t Archer; and he lights a cigar anC
waits in silence till his friend tosse
aside fhe last written missive