Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-24

Miss Chapman's anger blazed forth
uncontrolled.
And you. sir? Perhaps you are her
| confidant?''
'Varens' self-possession returned the
instant Miss Chapman's forsook her.
''Unfortunately, no; but am her
friend. As such, / shall seek her in
stantly. She must not brave the world
| second time alone"
He turned from her, bowed to nv
mother. and went towards the door. I
followed him. feeling my admiration
yelling up into enthusiasm. Nov he
seemed worthy of Miss Kent But
why had he not acted like this before?
Would it have prevented Miss Kent
from going away?
When we were out of the hearing of
those in the parlor, said:
mr.. Varens. are you engaged to
Miss Chapman"
His eyes were clear and honest as he
replied:
mo. Have acted as if I were?
"But the world says So"
Yes; thanks to the Vaccination Of
Mrs. Chapman. and because l have
made it my home there since my re-
turn from Europe. Mr.. Chapman is
my cousin. and almost the only rela-
tive 1 have in the world. Have you
any idea where Miss Kent has gomez"
he asked, abruptly dropping the dis
tasteful subject.
Not the slightest. Promise me to
find her."
promise you! Does not my own
life depend upon it?''
"Why had you not. then. offered
your life?" could not resist saying.
Ibid it require shock to make you
know how dear she is?''
The sorrow upon his face haunted me
long after he had gone.
Il have offered her the only love of
my life, and she refused it," he said.
He bowed over my hand and went
away feared his task was hopeless.
How could he ever find her? l did not
know the power and perseverance of
the man. l wished that l could have
given him some hope of her love. For
myself. felt sure that she loved him.
1t seemed to me that. if / could see her,
l would break down this false pride
that prevented her making happy the
man whom she loved, and who was
worthy of it.
Society discovered that Miss Kent.
Mrs. ROmaine's music teacher, had
disappeared, and that Marmaduke
Varens had gone after her, and society
had its customary laugh and sneer;
and Miss Chapman married a million
aire twice as old as she. expected to
hear from either Varens or Miss Kent.
was disappointed and grieved that l
did not. Had Varens given over the
pursuit? Had Miss Kent forgotten
me?
Nearly two years after Varcns had
left us so abruptly, was standing with
a group of ladies and gentlemen at
party given by an acquaintance. Sud-
denly my hand. which hung by my side,
was claspcd close by warm, slender
fingers. The action was not usual at
fashionable party. There seemed
something familiar in that clasp. l
turned quickly, and met the eyes of
Miss Kent. had thought her beauti-
fnl in her days of poverty; now she
was magnificent. She drew me aside,
and l asked:
why did you go?' as though she
had just left me.
''You must have guessed
Because if you had remained. love
would have conquered pride?" l said.
Yes"
"And now? All, l see. Happiness
only could have made you so radiant.
Varens found you. But you neglected
me shamefully."
Il wrote to you several times. and
at last thought you had forgotten me;
no. l did not think that; but l re-
ceived no answer"
Because did not get the letters" l
replied. "You are in town, and have
not been to see me-that is worse"
''But we only came tonight. To-
morrow we promised ourselves we
would see you. We have been in
Europe all this time"
At that moment Varens came to us.
"YOu see she uses the royal 'we,' y"
he said, gaily, "for you must know
that l have the happiness Of belonging
to her."
ut seems happiness for you both"
Salu 10 say tnat your WIG Is Ihe
handsomest lady in the room. gives
one no idea of her beauty. Have you
two been trafficking in magic. over
there in the Old WOrld?''
"Trafficking is not the word, Miss
Romaine," said Varens. ut is love
you see in Virginie's eyes and mine"
Then success to lover ex-
claimed, in low tone, as l met the
soft splendor of Virginie's glance
Catherine EarnsbdU, IN BaliOn's MO'ath-
ly.