Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-06-21
A TALE OF TWO WOMEN

Come to me. am dying. JUNE"
Don Eastern's brow was knit, and he
muttered n very impatient imprecatiOn
under his breath. as he stood studying the
telegram which had just been put in his
Il thought that was all over and done
with. Must we go through with 1t again, l
Wonder?"
And then he took up a timetable and
studied it attenttvely for moment
"Of course a thousand miles in this beastly
cold Is mere nothing for busy mani
That's understood. woman's caprice
must be gratihed at all hazards Ny arch
enchantress isn't dying any more than /
am but 1 suppose / must CO..
CHANGING hurriedly through the mail on
his desk. he then picked up, from the midst
of commonplace, practical, business-lik5
looking letters a slim, sat1ny envelope Of
palest pink with faint perfume clinging to
it. His whole face sOftened, and his hand
shook for a moment as he eagerly opened
and read the few lines.
my little Mignon!" he said, gently.
But his little MignOn did not keep him
from taking journey Of a thousand miles
to see June HeathertOn, to whom he had
been engaged year ago; with whom he
lad quarreled hercely over some palpable
Irritation on her part; from whom he had
parted in bitterness and pain, and yet with
haR-relteved feeling in corner Of his
heart.
Six months he had been reckless. as a
man sometimes will when a woman has
been false and untrue in any particular; and
l4lOu 64lo uhQ WL4Ll5u ulLLls pEOuulys GGAQ0Le
~ saying that, as she had slnned, so
she must be the supplicant-in her anger
she had said she did not love him, but now
she knew better; she would never love any
one else - would he not come back to her
But this he had declined, politely and
firmly. Now that it was all over, he knew
that he had never loved her. and that
It was most fortunate thing he had found
it out in time.
Her grace, her beauty her wonderful fas-
cinatiOn, had thrilled his blood with rap
hat n han -yVrn1 lou lint
was only her false twin sister. Love mad
come to him, indeed. but it was a later guest,
and then a sweet face leaned to him through
Ine SHADOWS, ana It's purity ana tenderness
blotted out the warm summer beauty Of
June HeathertOn from before his vision.
Yet week later he was in her presence.
She evidently still livesl" he murmured,
sardonically, as he entered the magnificent
hall OF HeathertOn, pater, in which no signs
Of mourning duttered.
A moment later June entered the draw
ing-roOm, where he waited.
All. yes, she could stir even his unbeliev-
ing. cold heart.
softly.
And certainly Don Eastern was not the
kind Of man to lot the memory Of little
M1gnon prevent him from holding beau
tifui, yielding form closely in his arms. and
returning cHnging kisses with interest
when such rare opportunity offered.
But for all this propittOus beginning, Don
Eastern went back to his own home. a
week later, as free as when he left it. He
alone knew the full power Of June Heather
tons siren charms, for he was the only
man she had ever loved. He alone knew
of the tears she had she'd he alone knew
that she had thrown herself at his feet in
all her exquisite, cleaning beauty. and
begged him to take her back to his heart,
with all the despatring passion that q WOm-
an like her can feel when she sees the man
that was once her abject slave beyond her
reach.
What was her pride compared to the DESC
latton that, swept over her when she real
lied that the heart she had trihedWtih was
hers no longer. when she had learned so
prize it most? And 80 he went back to his
little MignOn, whose calm, pure face was
continually before him through all his
journey in the bitter winter cold.
A dainty little missive would be awaiting
him-the last week or two would drop away
from him then. But to his intense disaP-
pOlntment, no letter was there; he only
waited to grasp this fact fully. and to
fFeshen up after his tiresOme trip when
once more he started out.
1t was very different woman from June
HeathertOn that greeted him at the end Of
his journey. Not tall. nor voluptuous. nor
passionate; but hOWer-sWeet and fragile,
with dreaming eyes, a sad mouth, and
aradiant smile.
A faint flush stole into her cheeks as she
came quietly to him and laid her hands In
his OutstretcheG ones for a brief moment
she did not even see the love and longing
in his eyes - and then he took her in
his arms.
"Mignon. can wait no longer. Say you
love me-
She looked up into his face, a little
startled, and trembled ike a bud the wind
has shaken too roughly; but she did not
strive to leave her prison, and after a
pause which was breathiess and terrible to
Don Eastern, she said, gravely and sWeetly:
Il love you"
my ANGEL" he said, passiOnateIy. Il am
not worthy Of yOu-nOt worthy to touch
your hand; but love you so, little MignOn,
shall make you happy.
And she laid her cheek against his, per-
fectly happy and trusting and content.
Strangely enough he told her all about
June HeathertCn. He hid nothing not
even his long journey last week - and
Mignon's face was Swallowed for a moment.
Did you ever love herr
mo. my darling; I thought I did, but I
know better now.
she Is very beautiful
Yes.
And she loves your"
He bent down and kissed her. but did
ARE you sure-quite sure-that you love
me2"
@Ay blossoEal" he murmured. with in
finite tenderness IF you are not the other
half of my soul. / pray God may go to my
grave bereft
@But you would have married her" she
said after a little
Il don't think fate would have been so
cruel. knowing my little unknown MignOn
was my rightful portion. Remember, dear.
did not know you then.
Three months later Don brought her
June's wedding cards.
You see. dear" he said. 7that she did not
love me"
But in a day or two came a mad letter to
him. written BY June on her weddings
And Don Eastern was sorry, lndeeGs IoE
June HeathertOn, despite her coQuetry.
was a girl with q really inc nature, 5hs