Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-12-28

Would you treat her with con-
tempt?
"Treat her with contempt? Yes" re-
piled |, "and could you, Tom, recog-
nize the woman who would let the love
of the stage break the most solemn
agreement on earth, as she did you this
night three years ago? Tom, | will
never forget it. The memory Of that
night is wildly set before me. | can
see you now, walking the floor, and
confessing her treatment of you. ] can
hear your entreaties. The alternative
you gave her-"Me or the stage" |
can hear her accept ''the stage" And
| can see you tonight, making a fool
of yourself, meeting her, and apologize
ing for your own manliness. Make
your own decision in this matter, Tom,
but take the advice of friend, and
don't make fool of YOURSELF At this
picked up my hat, and, wishing him
a Happy New Year, said good night,
and hurried from the apartment.
Tom Hastings was man, and he
loved Claudine Wilson. His life had
been blank since he parted from her
three years ago. She was a sweet
singer, and the great desire of her life
was to shine in the opera. About the
time Of her engagement to Tom Hast
ings, an opera company appeared in
the town, and meeting with several Of
the performers she was finally intro
duced to the manager, who, recogniz-
ing in her musical ability, persuaded
her to join the company. Thus in sat
isfying her ambition she lost her
greatest, though not so apparent to her
own mind at that time, and which was
none other than to marry Tom Hast
ings, one of the handsomest and
wealthiest young men in the town.
1t was cold night, and as Tom
Hastings hurried down the street with
his coat buttoned up and his muffier
tight about his neck he lodged the
New Year masqueraders, who were
making night merry and the shoppers
on their way home burdened with
bundles. Each package he observed
he remarked to himself, there's some
thing to make some one happy" And
then he thought of his own loneliness
no one to make happy tomorrow,
save the few servants, who each re-
ceived, as usual, friendly V. Just
then his eyes espied a jewelers. window,
and passing into the shop he picked
out the handsomest pair of diamond
earrings he could find, and purchased
them. Continuing on his way he was
soon at the theatre door, The crowd
was already leaving the place, and in
the busy throng he could hear the
praises poured upon Miss Wilson's
singing and her cute ways. His heart
rebounded in his bosom he felt us
though he could not wait for the crowd
to pass out to allow him to make his
way to the box office. Just then my
words rang in his ears, "Don't be a
fool" and that "Highland girl would
give the world By this time the
crowd had dispersed and, going to the
box office, he laid down his money, and
bought the two best seats in the house,
and instead of waiting for the accom-
plished singer he hurried away.
New Years morning had arrived. 1t
was beautiful morning, and no one
was better pleased and happier than
Marie Highland Tom Hastings had
called, paid his compliments, and pre-
sented her with pair of diamond ear
rings, and had made an engagement
with her to hear Marianne that even
ing. Tom Hastings had always been
friend of the Highlands, and this lit
tie act of friendship made no cause for
tongues to gossip, as Tom Hastings was
noted for his magnificent gifts.
On his way up the street he met his
old school chum, Pass Arthur, who
upbraided him for not being at the
club the night before, "Bye the bye"
said Arthur, did you see her last
night ?"
"Who?" asked Hastings.
"Why Miss Wilson, your old girl"
replied Arthur.
"How did you know about it ?" was
Hastings pleased interrogatory.
"Know about it?" said Arthur.
"Why that was a little practical joke
the boys put up ON you. They knew
you were somewhat taken with Miss
Wilson, and they thought it would be
immense fun to make up note as
though it was from her, and have the
fun of seeing you stand out in the cold
for two or three hours, and wait for her,
You knew, didn't you, that Miss Will
son did not appear last night, her part
being made up by another singer who
initiated her so well that even the
audience were deceived. So the boys
were sure you wouldn't meet her which
would have made it unpleasant for
you. They just wanted to see you wait
there and get mad at yourself
"Well, they were fooled" said Has
tings, not the least rufled, for he had
often been the perpetrator Of such
Jokes himself when at the club. And
doubly glad am [; for it has made
this New Years day the happiest yet
for | have rede med myself in my
friends eyes by not making fool Of
myself | have been saved the SHARP
pang which it would have caused me
had | spoiled Claudine Wilson's New
Years through my not answering the
note, and | have realized for the first
time an affinity between Miss High
land and myself which, if it continues
| by next New Year will find me the
happiest man in Christendom.
G. l.. H.