The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-03-11
A LITTLE .AOyE'-srORY,

that rumor would prove not so we'll
founded as / see it is, remarked Har-
ry Leland, pityingly, as Fred Stanly's
blue eyes Hinged wistfully upon one
fair face in the organ loft as they
slowly made their way out of the
thronged and fashionable church.
"Better take "a FOOLS advice, Fred" I"
he continued sagely, "and steer clear
of danger that has wrecked so many
poor devils"
"There, there spare me the rest"
interrupted Fred, in the same guard
ed tones which he tried hard to make
careless and unconcerned, withdraw
ing his glance reluctantly with a stihed
sigh-for only the faintest shadow Of
a smile from the lovely face above
them had answered it; "your advice
is excellent, no doubt, but if you mean
to regale me with the old story Of Mrs.
Arden's heartlessness, I must inform
you that it is but time thrown away.
have heard all that before"
"And refused to be warned, eh?
Well, well, hasten on to your doom, if
you will, but don't say l never tried to
save you. If you had lost your heart
to the companion now, it would lave
been the sensible thing-a lovely,
charming girl, that Miss Somerville,
and sings like an angel, too-she has
soul above the heartless ambition
which seems alone to animate that oi
the beautiful widow"
Fred offered no reply, for at that
moment they encountered at the foot
OF the carved oaken staircase the two
ladies referred to, who were just de.
scending from the organ-loft.
Both were attired in elegant street
toilets, though with an appropriate
difference between that of the rich
widow and the less costly one Of hei
companion whose exquisite voice
thanks to the kindly patronage o.
Mrs. Arden, was heard regularly in the
choir and won its charming owner
many admirers.
Miss Somerville's dark eyes scanned
to dwell upon Fred's face with deep
er interest than usual--was it pity fol
the GOODNESS with which her beautiful
patroness rewarded his devotion?
Fred flushed slightly at the thought
but it was only momentary.
A few polite words of greeting wer'
exchanged as they all passed out to
gether, then the ladies had entered
their carriage and were driven away
81 only wish she would look at M
like that" said Harry Leland, envi
onsly. "Joye, Fred you're luck,
fellow in my opinion, if you only kney
enouph to place your affections in tn
right quarter"
"Nonsense!" returned Fred, almos
sharply. If you admire her so mucl
why don't you try to win her for your
self"
In truth, Miss Somerville, charmin
as she was, had not the power to Ion
disturb Fred Stanley's thoughts in an
way.
To him there was but one woma
in the world-she whose large, deeI
dark eyes looked at him half scornfu
ly; whose scarlet lips and snow-whit
hair gave to her almost a girlish fac
weird beauty that was strangely faI
cinating
He recalled the time when he ha
first seen her--in Florence-whel
with her same devoted companion
her side, he had encountered h,
amid the splendid dreams of ancie1
art in the Pitt Palace.
He remembered how he had bee
struck with that strange contrast
youthful face and snow-white hail
even the dress she had worn then W.
vividly impressed upon his memory
some rich, half-mourning garb, and
bunch of Parma violets pinned upc
her breast.
What mattered it that she was co
and ungracieus, even, TO his suit?
what mattered the stories that Gll,
his ears continually OF the luekle
lovers who had been slain by h
scornful indifference? He possess
sublime faith that sooner or later
leve must conquer, and she would Y
be his.
"But that was yesterday"
Harry Leland little dreamed, Il
bright sabbath morning, that
words OF warning had come too la
even had his friends been disposed
heed them.
1t was so, however.
Only two nights later, in her
at the opera, with the divinely su
music of an impassioned love-stt
surging about them and softening /
eoldest hearts, the temptation
proved too strong, and Fred had wi
pered to Annie Arden the wo
which were to seal his fate.