San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-10-02
A FALSE FRIEND.
BY IDA GREGORY.

1 saw them last night at Mrs. Ran
dolph's reception, and she filrted
atrociouSly with him, called him
Harry, and was so sbockingly familiar
with him that every lady was talking
about 1t. L heard that he took her
riding twice last week in that beautl-
full new phaeto of his, and they were
seen walking together as many
times.n
Tire young lady addressed did not
turn her shapely head, but Ethel
could see the small hands clasp con-
vulsively and the slender form
tremble for an instant, but
the next minute beautiful Nora
Baldone was her own calm sell.
Indeed" she returned coldly, Il
imagined Mr.. Vane was gentleman
not addicted to flirting?" .-g'
"Oh you are mistaken, Nora, met
them last evening and as L passed
them L heard him call her "Katie
dear" I thought would tell you as
1 fancied you ana he were something
-"Mr. Vane and l are nothing to
each other, Ethel, only friends, and
very likely there is an engagement
between him and Mrs. CarOndale.
Have you seen Leona Delmol lately"
"Yes, met her at Mrs. Dumar's
last week." and the two friends con-
versed short while longer on COM
monplace affairs. When Miss Strick-
land had departed Nora stood gazing
at the receding form with an agony
i'm her heart hitherto unknown.
"My God, can he have forsaken me
after what has passed between us, af-
ter his tender words and pas
sionate avowals OF love? Oh, Har-
nv, II AIRY, have you indeed
forgotten me?n Here the girls proud
spirit broke and she sObbed with an
abandonment of utter despair. What
an dyllic love dream it had been.
Long delicious rambles through the
beautiful country scenery, happy
evenings spent together by the
ripping brook, and sometimes in the
cool, quiet parlor, singing exquisite
love songs at the little cabinet piano.
All how her heart had thrilled with
exquisite Joy when he told her the
sweet old story and gained her prom
Use to be his bride in the early spring.
But now all was different, it should
be as she told Ethel, that they would
he friends. She would not remain to
see another gain that precious love
she had lost, and her dear l?) friends
question her as Ethel Strickland had,
anu proffer their hateful sympathy.
She would 60 to the gay city, mingle
in society and show him she was not
breaking her heart over his faithless-
ness.
After two years they meet again in
crowded ballroom. Miss Baldone
ri, opI 10 TnnN-prGjnO
with a lady friend, when she per-
ceives her hostess approaching with
Harry Vane.
"Permit me to introduce my friend,
Mr.. Vane, Miss Baldone," murmurs
Mrs. Rochs and her idol, her king, is
standing before her.
II am happy to meet you, Mr.. Vane, "
smiles Nora, and the two are left alone
t)gether, miss Baldone, Nora, My
God, is it possible that you are not
married." calculated Harry agitated-
ly, why, Miss Strickland informed
me positively that you and Major
Weldon were married"
"And Miss Strickland told me that
you and the widow, Mrs. CarOndale,
were engaged" returned Nora.
LET us 90 out on the terrace, where
it is not so crowded and explain away
this cruel mistake" exclaimed Harry
eagerly, and she asserting, they were
soon promenading the long terrace.
"And now said Harry after few
minutes silence, II want TO tell you
about Katie CaTOndale. She is my
only sister and the only relative |
have in the world. She came TO P
to spend few days in rest and reCre-
alton and | took her to Mrs. Ran
dolphe's reception that night. She
did not intend to accept any invita-
tiOns but Mrs. RandOlphe Is partic-
ular friend of Katie's and was so anX-
iOus for her to come that she cOnclud-
ed to 90 but only remained a short
while. took her to see you the day af'
ter you left but was filled with sorrow
and surprise to find you gone. The
woman who came to the door sale
she did not know where you haC
gone. Miss Strickland was aware 0
the relationship existing between
Mrs. Carondale and myself, for 1 in
troduced Katie to her and told he
she was my sister"
sob Harry! If 1 had but know
that Ethel was a false friend, hoy
much useless sorrow I would haY
been saved
"Let US forget, darling" said he
kissing the sweet quivering lips s
near his own, land in our own perfeC
happiness also forgive it,"
Mamma, dear" said Nora tina
night after the ball, mamma, dear
L met Harry tonight and he is nc
married tO-to-Oh mamma, we hay
explained everything and I am s
haDpy.p