Nevada County picayune., 1890-02-05

acquired girl friends was lazily play ing ''Muzurka de Solon." A sudden, maddening impatience beset Miss Montaine
 Why did he not come now, when she had schooled herself for the crisis!
 In little while her treachcrous courage might fail her-she was so weak, so pitifullv weak.
 She glanced at her watch--a tiny baublc set in the jewelcd handle of her great, painted satin fan.
 II do so wantit over, she sighed. "To-night he is going away, for mo- body knows bow long, and should be wicked to let him retain hope which can never he realized. Oh, do trust nothing will prevent his coming!''
 Just then there was jingle of sleigh bells, which ceased in sweet janglc before the door. She heard the clanking of the silvered chains from a horses strappings, and the champing of bits. She saw the brilliant plumes of little Russian sleigh, and she caught glimpse of a tall, dark, princely looking young fellow springing up the high brown stone steps.
 The lover she was about to re- nounce had arrived at last.
 Neal St. Clair came cheerily into the room, bringing with him q sub tile breath of the freshly fallen snow, and an exhilarating whiff of the cool outside air
 But despite his cheery manner, it was an unhappy face he bent toward
 
 It was a dark, handsome face, with lines of keen anxiety about the nobly chi,eled lips. with furrow of pain between the fine brows, and with a look of gloom ill the beautiful, pa tient eyes.
 How Vivian Moataine spoke the fatal words which were to part them forever, she could never recolcct,
 She knew shc did it gently, and with all womanIy dclicacy. She knew too that he made her task easier that he understood almost as soon as she begun, and he checked her with manly pity for her own pain.
 He did not reproach her, but in the beautiful, patient dark eyes there was a disappointment which smote her like a sword.
 II have expected it, Nivian," said the kind, musical voice. "You could not very well do otherwise. It would be gross folly to forfeit half mil lion dollars.
 But you are disappointed in me, Neal, you can not deny that. l can see it plainly" she said, piteously.
 "If have created an ideal supe- rior to earthly perfccttons even, the fault is mine; you have done what the best of women would do, un- doubtedly. l do not blame you. my darling" he answered with a gentle ness which hurt her more than any reproaches could have done.
 "I shall remain unmarried all my life for your sake. Neal. You will always remember that, dear. am not bound to become the wife of this stranger, and I am grateful to heaven it is so," she said.
 He smiled without replying.
 And moment later, with a finger ing clasp of hands, and long look into each others eyes, he turned to go. But they were not destined thus to part.
 The heavy door closed behind him.
 Vivian still stood in the center of the room, her hands convusively over her eyes to keep back the bitter tears-hcr limbs faint beneath her !,
 When suddenly there was a dis cordant crashing of bells and rattling of chains!
 And then there was a piercing shout of terror from the little colored boy who had accompanied St Clair, to attend to the horse.
 The horse, which was vicious and half broken beast at the best had become furious from standing inactive.
 As St. Clair was stepping into the sleigh, the animal plunged forward and then whirled sharply, wrcnchine the reins from the little footman':