The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-04-02

MS manner alArnleQ me. lou can y
think that anything more dangerous
than a boyish love affair can result
from Franks friendship with Mrs.
Nernay."
nLilithl" was all he said.
"Tell me, how did you guess her
name!"
cit came to me as that command
came, when | saw her write, he re-
piled. Then crossing the room, he
asked the beauty to dance, taking her
away from Frank.
/ believe bets passed between the
men at the Torremouth Clubs as to
which of the brothers would marry
beautiful Mrs, Vernay. | confess |
wondered myself whether Kenneth
would relinquish his noble schemes and
marry like any other ordinary mortal.
/ rarely saw him without Mrs. Yer
nay. He rode with her, drove with
her, spent long hours in her pretty
drawing room, and walked with her on
the esplanade. / askea him what was
coming from allthis, and hadfor reply,
"If | don't marry her, Frank will
an answer which at that time struck
me as strange.
And one day Frank cameto my wife
to pourinto harsympathetic ears wild,
fierce rawlings against his brother.
Why had Kenneth talked all that non
sense about celibacy and seclusion
when he came and took away the only
woman Frank ever would, yer could,
love?
And thus we heard of Kenneth's en-
gagement to the beautiful Mrs. Yer
nay.
All the men in the place envied him,
but never in my life have | seen so
grave and gloomy a lover. Yet, like
all the other men who met her, he
seemed to adore Ter. / rover heard
any one question his devotion. Per
haps their ayes were blinded. / know
we all pitied Frank. And the time
passed merrily by to the weddingday,
Mrs. Vernay growing daily more beau
tiful.
Once she passed me as walked with
a friend on the esplanade.
Good h~eavensl" he exclaimed.
"What a likeness!"
ITO whom2" / asked.
"To a peasant girl in the Black For
est who a few years ago created great
stir in her village. All the young fell
lows were in love with her; she mar
ried one of them, and a few days later
he was found dead in his bed, the bride
having vanished no one knew whittier"
can unpleasant story" / said, little
pleased to notice Kenneth near me,
who must have heard every word.
"Of course, it is only q chance like
ness" said my friend.
"Lilith!" murmured Kenneth as he
passed me.
A week or two later and there was
a fashionable wedding in Torremouth,
dismal as are all such festivities.
Kenneth has begged his might b equiet,
but Mrs. Vernay laughed in his face.
"You ridiculous boyl" she said;
people will think you are ashamed of
me-"
The only member Of the family not
present was Frank. He had rejoined
his regiment.
1t was over-breakfast, speeches,
and all-and | was refreshing myself
by a walk near the sea.
A total stranger came up and adj
dressed me, inquiring about the
mornings wedding. He appeared to
have been a spectator in the church.
Among other things, he asked the
bride shame.
"She was a Mrs. Vernay,"I replied.
"Ah," he said, II thought / knew
her again"
"May / ask where you met herr"
Gin Ceylon. She came out as O.
bride-after three weeks" He paus-
ed, but / begged him to go on.
ct is al unpleasant story, he said.
"Her husband was found strangled
in his bed. They said one of the Syces
had done it, but some thought Mrs.
Vernay could have explained the mat
ter"
asked no further questions-a
voice seemed to whisper in my a
"Lilith!" and the stranger went on
his way.
But | forgot my forebodings as the
days passed bringing nothing but good
news of Kenneth and his wife rs they
travelled in the lake district. Wetalk-
ed of them, of the weather they must
be enjoying, and sp~eculated as to their
future home as yet undetermined.
One night after my wife had gone to
bed / was lingering over the FIRE. Care
lessly ! raised my eyes toward q mir
ror hung above the mantelpiece, and
then my attention was riveted by the
reflection that met my eyes. 1t was
no REPETITION of the room / was in,
but a faithful picture Of Kenneth's re-
treat at the chapel.
saw the door open and a flood of
pale moonlight stream into the room.
| saw Kenneth and his wife enter as
from q long journey, and / noticed
her passing round the room looking
at his treasures while he lit q lamp.
She had somethingin her hands gleam-