Montgomery County sentinel., 1888-08-03
MiSGellaMenMS.
A WOMAN's PLOT.

"Well, how did you like Miss Pres
ton ?" said Susan Lowry as she walked
around the ballroom on Reginald Payn's
arm. He had been away from home
several years, aud she was telling him
the news.
''She is very attractive young lady"
he murmured, looking in the direction
of beautiful girl who was dancing.
arthur Ringgold found hor more
than that" said Miss Lowry. 81 am
told that she is terrible coquette."
Rcginald's face clouded over. He
had heard the terrible news on the day
of his return that his dearest friend /,
Arthur Ringgold, had taken his life, and
the reason for the act was unknown.
''He was my dearest friend" he said
sadly II would give anything to know
why be was suicide" ."
II can tell you," said Miss Lowry,
'for | am one of the few in the secret.
Arthur was deeply in love and became
engaged to certain young lady. One
day she wrote him a cruel letter break
ing off the match without any word of
excuse. The shock of this rejection so
unsettled his mind that he killed him
self"
II should like to know that wretched
woman's name," said Reginald, gritting
his teeth savagely
81 will tell you if you give me your
word of honor to keep il u secret, said
Miss lowry, looking around uneasily.
~ qeoigll.isaya qeoigl.isaya. " ~ b. sail "a q -llsss gaes-
1T was Kate Preston" she whispered
in his ear
"And am engaged to dance ia the
next set with her p ho replied, with D
shuddcr of disgust.
"Then keep your engagement or it
will excite suspicion" and Miss Lowry
glided away into the crowd
Reginald Payn had barely time to re-
cover his compesure when the next qua
drille was called. With studied polite.
ness he led Kate Preston to her place,
and in the intervals of the dance ad-
dressed to her the customary common
places in manner SO little indicative of
his real feelings that he was amazed at
his own hypocrisy.
"Can it be-" he could not help saying
to himself, as from time to time he
stole glances at his partners face, that
treachcry can Turk beneath look SO
guileless 2"
And well might he ask himself tho
question, for marvellous as was Kate
Preston's beauty, more than half its
charms lay in the expression of truth
and purity which shone in every feature.
For days afterward Reginald was
haunted by two thoughts. One was Of
Kate Prcston's surprising beauty the
other of Susan Lowry's plan of punish
ment. The more he dwelt upon tho
former, and felt its power, the more re-
sentiment drove him to brood over the
latter.
Which had most to do with impelling
him to continue his acquaintance with
Miss Preston, it is hardly likely he could
himself have told At any rate, the ac-
auaintance grew and ripened, while every
day revealed to Reginald some new
grace and charm, whose influence he
might have found it difficult to resist,
but for the antidote Of Susan Lowry
| secret.
To add to his perplexity, he fancied
be could perceive growing indications
Of interest, on the part Of Kate, in hi
conpanionship Was she really begin
ming TO care for him, or was she practic
ing the same deceit that had lured hi
friend to destruction
More than once Reginald was on th'
point of casting aside Susan Lowry
story and judging of Kate himself. One
thing alone restrained him. Inquiry
had confirmed Susan's story by placing
the fact beyond question that a clos
intimacy had existed between Kate anc
Arthur Ringgold for some time befor'
the latter's death.
One day Reginald lost his sclf-com
mand, and uttered words--wild, pas
sionate, ,incoherent words--that drove tb
blood from Kate Preston's cheeks an
then brought it back again with burn
ing rush. The next thing she knew he
hand was clasped in his as she leane
sobbing on bis shoulder. Reginald wa
conscious that he had her love, and tina
in spite Of himself he had given her his
The moment had come when, at the COS
Of a pang to his own heart he migf
crush the deceiver Of his friend. Shoul
he strike or forgive?
"You say you return my love" b
murmured, in voice shaken with cm'
, ton "the same was said as earnestly
no doubt, to Arthur Ringgold, by OF
who broke her troth and drove him
despair and death p
Kate looked up wonderingly, al
: drawing back, said with calm dignity
doubt me, if you will, but cast 1
reflection on the memory of the dea
The woman who pledged her faith
: Arthur Ringgold, and kept it to the la.
:, was my cousin, Hester Lisle. The rel
tive with whom We both lived was He
ter's guardian, who, having planned