Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-02-18

nSr DluSHcSt lOF, WALL ilbtlC ia htCA
of Eve that she was, Elite knew that
she was really very, very pretty.
AS the days slipped by, Elites in
terest in Edgar Leonard, tie hand
some stranger, increased until ii be-
came infatuation. She did not mean
to he false to Charlie; but, somehow,
those beautiful dark eyes Of her pa
tent stole her heart right away from
her true lover before she even sus-
pected it.
Edgar grew better very slowly, un-
necessarily so, some people thought
but still he fingered. At last, how
ever, there was no excuse for mis- re-
naming there, and he reluctantly de-
parted.
1t was a touching little scene, his
farewell interview with Elite. He had
won her foolish little heart entirely,
and he drew the confession of it from
her own lips before they parted.
my darling, my own little Lowell"
he murmured, drawing her pretty
head close TO his breast, and pressing
warm kisses on her half-unwilling
lips. ''Do not forget me, for / shah
find life dull enough without your
sweet face to cheer me. Promise me
that you will never forget nae, Elite ~
And Elite promised, feeling guilty
the while as she thought of Charlie,
yet believing in her innocent, trust
ing heart that Edgar loved her, and
feeling perfectly certain that she loved
him back with an undying love.
And yet he had not asked her TO be
his wife as honest Charlie had; in
fact, she could not recall one word
that he had ever said about marriage,
but she trusted him for all that, and
fondly believed that he would soon
return as he had vaguely promised.
That evening Charlie Alger came
as usual, but he found his pretty lady
love distracted and ungracious. In
deed, she had made up her mind to
break off her engagement with him,
and a few teasing, impatient words
from him gave him the desired OPP
portunity. So, when Charlie went
away, at the end of q brief but de-
cisive quarrel, he took with him the
betrotbal ring which had graced
Elites pretty hand for so many
months.
"My dear, 1 do wish you would
come and spend a month with me.
Our little place has suddenly become
very fashionable resort, and we
have, at present, a number of city
people staying with us. am sure you
would enjoy your visit this summer
more than ever before, ETC."
This from letter written by au
aunt, with whom Elite was a great
favorite.
Several weeks had passed since Ed
grr Leonards departure, and he had
never returned, nor had she heard one
word from or Of him.
She was losing both flesh and spir-
its; she felt blue" even wretched,
and gladly accepted the chance of
getting away from the vicinity of her
discarded lover, who. she felt, must
be perfectly aware of Edgar's neglect
and doubtless even enjoyed the di-
lemma in which she had placed her
self.
II was a warm day late in summer
when Elite Sandifer arrived at her
aunt's. She received a hearty well
come, and after long, refeshlng nap
in the cool, neat bedroom which her
aunt gave her, she came dows stairs
in the evening looking very fresh
and neat in spotless white and dainty
ribbons of blue.
Walking up and down the garden
path she suddenly came face to face
with Edgar Leonard. Her heart al
most stood still, while a perfect smile
of happiness broke over her pretty
face
EDGAR You here" she exclaim-
ed joyfully, instantly forgetting his
long silence and neglect, and think
ing only OF the rapture of meeting
him once more. ooh, am so glad |
Is that why my aunt sent for me to
come hereT
'H S shl' he exclaimed uneasily,
the pleased look which had first
flashed into his face when he caught
sight Of her quickly giving place to
one Of embarrassment and annoyance
some one may overhear you"
And as he spoke he glanced appren-
sively over his shoulder, and Elite
following that look, saw tall, hand
some girl, with sweeping draperies,
a buAca Of costly roses at her belt,
standing in the open doorway.
lrstinctivsly Elite understood that
this girl was something to Edgar
something more than she had ever
been or could ever be.
A sudden sense of his treachery
struck sharply to her heart, and,
with one scornful glance at him, yet
sick to her very soul with grief and
shame, she abruptly turned away
from him and went into the house.
Al that moment the styiishly-d dress
ed young lady wearing the roses came
down the path, giving Elite sharp
glance IS they passed each other, and
laid her white, jeweled hand on Ed
CARS arm.
"Who is that girl2' she asked sus-
picioHsly.
ooh, merely a little country girl, "
he answered carelessly. "The daugh-
ter Of that kind old lady who took
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