The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-08-19
WROUGHT BY A LETTER.
BY GUINEVERE.

w HdJ VIII you uO WlInuuC MN
The careless query comes in the
sweetest OF voices, and Nora Terrill's
deep blue eyes with black fringe-ike
lashes raise archly to the dark face Of
her companion.
Mayo Archer smiles family, and his
eyes grow earnest.
"I shall miss him truly" he says in
that slow, laDguid tone of his. "We
have been almost constant companion
for five years, but then an absense Of
two weeks is not serious"
"No, and we will all try to fill the
gap. How fond you are of each other
"A Damon and Pythias friendship, is
it not?"
~ am sure if l ever found myself
in Damon's position, Elmer Sartoris,
like Pythias, would come to my res
cue
"And you would redeem your pledge
to him though it meant death" says
Nora, with more seriousness than usu-
al
Mayo Archer's dark eyes tighten,
and a glow cEeeps over his leatres.
These bright gIimpses OF emotion
redeem face that, although hand
some, would else be too somber. You
would know that Mayo Archer was q
man OF deep feeling, more ideal than
practical, sensitive, proud, and of deli
cate honor.
His character was revealed by the
firm, tense lips under the dark mus
tache; the thin, dilated nostrils, the
dark, shadowy eyes that express
rather scorn and hauteur than mirth
yet they could look pity too, and ten
derness.
Nora Temill knew how that pen
sive face could glow with love and ad-
Grafton she knew, too, how it could
darken with displeasure; for, like
many another woman of bewltching
charms, she was alttle Of the coquette
and thought there were no bonds be-
tween them, Mayo Archer resented
the llattering attentions OF those who
Hooked in numbers round the viva
cious beauty at this mountain resort
where they had met.
She Knocked him and defed him
but she was true to him all the same
and he well knew that when he won
her for his bride he would have wor
one OF the best and sweetest of wo
men, despite her pretty caprices and
girlish will
Five years ago he had formed &
friendship with Elmer Sartoris, tai
handsome blonde with laughing eyes
and jovial manner.
People wondered at the alliance, fol
two more dissimilar mortals neveI
met; but the tie between them seem
ed indissoluble, and if Sartoris wai
more demonstrative OF his regard, hi
friend felt as deeply.
They had come together to tn,
mountains, and, at the end of ter
weeks, Sartoris was ready to return
and doubtless his friend would hav,
accompanied him, had it not been TO
pretty Nora's sake.
So we find them two hours after tn
blondes departure on the piazza 0
the mammoth hotel-Archer in COO
gray suit and Panama hat, and Nor
in dress of cream and garnet noun
tain flannel that is decidedly chic. !
big hat with curved brim is title,
back upon the short, brown curls
and in her belt is cluster Of yelloy
daises,
AT her last speech in reference to hi
companions love and loyalty, May
Archer thrills with pleasure.
~ am glad you have that opinion c
me,p he says softly. "But you mus
think as we'll of Sartoris."
Her lashes fall, she plueks at til
flowers in her belt, and very fain
flush creeps up to the roots other darl
crisp, brow. Archer looks surprised.
"You do, do you not?" he says.
"Why, of course" she answers
with a little laugh that he fancic
sound nervous. 81 think he's yer
nice, audi
"Nicel" he echoes.
"Well, charming, then, and sfand
and oh, of course we shall mis-
him awfullyp
She is herself again, smiling an
careless.
Everybody likes Sartoris," says he
companion, as if in defense. "He
so generous, so honest and gay--con