The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-02-18

W ~ @Ah sHAAetAulSs' WY az you
ask?'
Because I have g feeling that is
'trangely like oAe, ! could almost
fancy that--thst--- Did ever tell
you'-suddenly, as faint blush rose
to the smoott, white ch0ek--"of low
er once had in the old California
days before my marriage? His name"
with ineffable tenderness in the low
cred, finte-like tones-"was Gerald
Vance"
Il don't think you ever mentioned
him, my dear replied Mrs. Stanley,
with interest, perhaps some curiosity,
too. "Is there a story.
yes" very hesitatingly, the color
growing warmer in her cheeks. II
treated him very badly--shamefully.
in fact. ] was to have been his wife
in one short month when business
called him away for just that length
of time. How we'll | remember that
parting! Au revoir, sweetheart, he
said, looking back with his Loving,
trustful smile. He would never say
goodbye when we parted, nor allow
me to say it, it seemed so suggestive
nfa long separation, he thought. Ali
little did he dream of the endless sep
aration that was before US then. He
had been gone but few days when l
met Sir Richard, and weakly yielding
to momentary ambition of my own
and the persistent urging of my
friends, / married him, and was gone
before Gerald's return. Mrs Stanley
you knew Sir Richard-what a good
snd noble man he was, and how much
I respected and honored him. But
| never loved him ] have loved nc
one but Gerald all my life. i. AW re-
roir,'" she repeated softly, musingly
It'll we meet again And we have
i,ever met again"
"But you hope to some time? Yes
a1n sure Of it" persisted Mrs. Stan
ley smilingly. You wish to meet
your old lover again. And why
shouldn't YOU, my dear Lilis, now thai
you are free?"
cob, no, 90" murmured Lilis
shrinking back and inyoluntrily rut
ting her fan before her face. 81 coult
not endure his contempt and scorn
He must despise me, and"
"Ch, what glorious burst of mel
ady" broke in Mrs. Stanley, wishing
to divert Lady Lisle's thoughts from
the painful course they were taking
Were You listening, Lady Lilis' Al
most worthy Of Patti, ] declare, All
ny the wsy"--her friendly curiosit!
not quite sntisfed--"what was tha
preseutiment you spoke Of a Will
ago"
/ at isa very strange feeling tnat
somehow, has haunted me all da,
long that--that Gerald is not very ia
from me. wonder why il isf"
AS she spoke she took up her jeweI
ed lorgnette and began caTelessly t
study the brilliant toilets or the inter
esting faces that had attracted he
among the glittering assemblage.
Suddenly the glass dropped fror
Aer trembling hand and, every, vestig
Of color fed from her beautiful face.
"Seel Oh, Mrs. Stanley, he is here
Look--jast down there, with Howar
Merton" and she caught her cornpar
ions arm excitedly. "They are lool
ing this way and talking Of US, know
And now-Oh, Mrs. Stanley!-the
are coming here!"
:. II was ever 80.
Howard Merton, an inveterate oper
goer, had soon espied the besutifl
Lady Lisle, who had arrived from El
rope but two days before, and ha
pointed her out to his friend imm
iiately as the widow of Sir Richar
Lisle, and one Of the reigning belle
. of London.
Gerald looked, and beheld the san
matchl ,ss face that had stolen h
heart long wears before. 1t seems
far more beautiful now in it's cost
/, -urroundings--sn Exquisite toilet
black and white velvet setting off Il
, rare blonde lovltness OF the wesi
, and delicately suggesting a nemol
/, Of the husband long since passt
away.
Lets go around to her box for
J Ave minutes chat" said Merton. r
. ing. / have the honor OF ber 8
quaintsnce. qr will vouch for h
welcome t. you---slle always secit.
!. to entertain psae6dpt ior us n )
: paper men. Come, Vance"
+ But Gerald at, first refused, th'
= hesitssed and at last yielded. !
= hate himself for doing 80, but SON
thing stronger thsn his own win dr.,
. him to her.
al Mrs Stadley, who knew now t
story Of their past, kindly and 4
i crstely drew Howard Merton to t
furthest corDer of the box after t