Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1890-09-25


recall! Had he been true to me at the
first, after ell? Did l wrong him. ss he
said-ss he swores Was it the mad folly
of my own jealousy that first put the
thought of Viola into his mind? Was it
my own hand that had struck down tie
happiness of my life?
Van, vain questioning. to which there
never comes an answering voice. One
thing alone was given NE to know surely
that / loved him, and had lost him
forever!
A long, long night of tears and jealous
pain.
This night 1 will give to grief
thought; all the rest Of my life to en-
durance."
The gray light of dawn stole in at my
window before at last sobbed myself to
sleep.
My maid awoke me, standing by my
bed. was bewildered at first; then sud-
denly the recollection of my grief re-
turned like a fresh calamity. I hid my
face upon the pillow with groan.
My head aches sally. Rose, why did
you wake me?"
The girl looked distressed.
A lady was here to see you, miss.
It's ten O'Clock. 1 told her you were
asleep, and she said she'd come again in
an hour. Here is her card, miss.
took it listlessly. What was the lady
to me?
Il will not see her, Rose, whoever she
is"
Then I road the card Mrs. F. Bas-
come" She! let it fall as if o snake
had stung me. She-she seeking me! /
sprang up from the bed.
Dress me quickly, Rosa loose
white wrapper only. Tell them to send a
comes again show her up there"
Of course I must receive Viola APP
pearances must be considered.
Why did she force herself on me?
That question racked my brain. Had he
told her Of our love in those old days,
and had she come to feed her pride upon
my sorrow? Oh. but she shall lose her
time, then! Last night has gone, like all
the rest of the sweet and bitter past-to-
day finds me Sir Edwards promised
bride
Viola stole into the darkeaed boudoir
like a stray sunbeam in a gloomy day.
1t is easy for happy hearts to be gay and
bright. How easy for her! She had
stolen my share Of life's sunshine to add
to her own.
you poor deer girl!' she murmured,
gently drawing my unwilling head to
her breast, and softly caressing my hair.
How glad 1 am to see you again, and
how sad it is that you are suffering! l
suppose it seems cruel of me to persist in
talking to you to-day. but l must Chris
tine, for your own sake and another's.
felt my face flush. He had told her,
then, and the little fool thought to set
harSolf RIGHT NTH rorhons I Unr11I
not suffer it.
i fear must beg you to excuse ms to-
day" 1 said, Jelly. Il expect a visitor
shortly, for whom l must prepare. Sir
Edward Vane, my future husband"
NO, no, Christine; don't say that. You
don't know that man, dear. No woman
who knew him would marry him. He is
bad. He is wicked, he is heartless,
Christine. His first wife died of his
cruelty. l assure you his character is
known in London well, and still better in
the village where the fine estate lies of
which he asks you to be the mistress.
oh, Christine! all those Who love you
would rather see you in your grave. I
promised Frank would tell you. He
would not let me rest until / came.
Christine, We stayed near Sir Edwards
home for while. Oh. Christine!"-the
lovely, earnest sympathetic eyes watched
me now through streaming tears--oh,
Christine, pause before you ruin your
whole life. Will You marry this wretch
just because he is rich and titled? Can
wealth atone for the want of respect and
love? For the sake of the old love you
once bore Frank-FIank who loves you
SO we'll
But I stopped her there. The passion
of her words had fairly borne me down
and carried me beyond my proud reserve.
forgot my pride. 1 remembered only
my wrongs, my love, my pain.
You say this?' cried, trembling with
passion. -You speak to me of Franks
love? You-you-'
Resentment and anguish choked me. I
burst into a storm of Weeping. She
drew away from me, startled and sub
dued.
i am sorry if have done wrong, she
said, half timidly. L but Welded to your
lovers prayer. Perhaps 1 had no right
to interfere. he had better come to you
himself. Blu: thou,ht Christine, that
as We were Old school-fellows and
friends. and as by my marriage to Fred
am Frank sister now"
Isprang to my feet with a sudden CRY.
What-what was she saying? caught
her hands in mine,
Franks sister-not Franks wife?'
She threw her arms around me.
Was that the mist.ke?" she cried, joy
fully. Dear, dear Christine, Frank has
loved none but you-will love you everi"
Then she whispered slyly in my ear:
He is waiting now below. You can't
refuse, dear
And in another minute I was in Franks
arms
Pride and resentment had vanished,
jealousy was ended. The night of grief
was past, indeed, and q joyful day Of |
love and Joy had dawned. When the first
june roses bloomed, 1 became my own
true lovers happy bride, ard Sir Edward |
was disappointed after all.