The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-06-05

and my baby sister. Times were
bad, and had to leave her for little
while. thought she was safe, but YOU
came by-you, fine, rich gentleman.
You plucked my poor flower, and then
flung 1t aside. God forgive you"
Thurston, who was at heart an hon
est young fellow, was easily moved to
genuine emotion. Innocent as he was
of this deplorable affair, he was never
theless simple and pure-minded enough
to feel generous shame at the wrong
that had been done. This, and unaf-
fected sympathy for the grief and desc
lation of the elder sister, caused his blue
eyes to grow dim with tears. which the
girl noted
''She hoped you would go to her fun
eral," she added in softer tone, men
tioning the time and place, "and put
some flowers on her grave"
Thurston bowed his head and left the
fully agitated and bewildered state of
mind, and walked blindly back towards
clubland. But he did not return to his
club to tell the story. He turned aside
into Hyde Park, and walked aimlessly
and absently westward across the open
space, barring his head to the fresh night
breezes. 1t is needless to speculate
what depths of the young mans soul
had been stirred by this tragic episode.
1t takes very little sometimes-a falling
leaf, chance word-to suggest serious
and wholesome reflections.
Thurston's cogitations, whatever their
nature, kept him abroad till far into the
night, and when he returned to his
chambers he suddenly remembered the
letter which the poor girl had handed
him. He drew the letter from the en-
velope, and single glance at the hand
writing sufiiced to reveal to him what
he wished to know. The handwriting
was unmistakably that of Mangraye
Vernon, the man of all others whose
career and reputation he had most en-
Wed.
This discovery Jared unpleasantly
upon young Thurston's feelings. Most
people would have been less surprised
than he at such revelation. Mr.. Man
grave Vernon was man of fashion, a
man of pleasure-a social butterfly, in
fact, agreeable, witty, polished and
eagerly sought after by women and
youngsters. But there was seamy
side TO his character, which shrewd
persons suspected, and knowing ones
had long ago found out. He had treated
Thurston with consideration, for the
fellow was rich and well connected, and
therefore the lad, admiring his 1azzling
qualities, had secretly worshiped him
and made him his idol.
Even in his present rather severe
mood Thurston was disposed to make
every excuse for his friends conduct.
There had been misunderstanding, no
doubt, he could. probably give differ
ent complexion to the affair. At all
events, Thurston resolved to give him
the opportunity, if only in the hope of
being able to retain his regard for him.
Accordingly, the young man sealed up
the envelope, and next day he took
Mangrave Vernon aside at the club and
handed it to him.
"What's thisP' exclaimed Mr.. Yer
non, putting up his eye-glass, "A let
terP' ."f..U
you had better look at it," said
Thurston, gravely.
"By Jove! My last letter to little
Maggie, written months ago." exclaimed
the other, reddening slightly.
''How did you get hold of it?"
"Tell me, Vernon, is the poor girls
story true?' said Thurston.
81 never contradict lady-especially
if she be pretty; and little Maggie was
devilish pretty" said Vernon, lightly, |
but looking rather uncomfortable never
theless. 81 don't know what her story
is. She is not going to be Troublesome,
l hope especially just now. 1t, as /
gather, you are interested in the young
lady"
''She is dead" interrupted young |
Thurston sharply.
Dead. is she? Well, that's lu- |
mean poor girl. Sad, of course, very
sad," said Mr.. Vernon. endeavoring to
look concerned, but manifestly relieved.
That being so, don't mind confess
sing that any little unpleasantness with
a lady, just as am seriously courting a
hundred-thousand-pound heiress.
us that all you have to say?" ejacu-
lated young Thurston, beginning to
breathe quickly.
"Hes. except to advise you, my dear
boy, as a friend, not to allow yourself to
be mixed up in affairs of this Sort"
said Mr. Vernon in his most genial
tones.
Vernon, l believe you are a ,illainr'
cried the young man, losing his self
control, and looked decidedly danger
Gus,
For heavens sake don't make fool
OF yourself!' exclaimed Mr.. Vernon,
hastily rising from his lounging attitude.
''What the"
For some unspoken reason, MI. Yer
non l.l no. tinish bis seniance. Tia