Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-10-02
FACE TO FACE AT LAST.
BY EVA RICHMOND.

It was the ball of the season, and
was the beauty and the belle. Many
one enyied me, I suppose, as I swept
down the long rooms, flushed, triumphant,
smiling, elegantly attired, and with my
titled lover by my side.
He was my lover. openly enough, though
we were not engaged; that was my fault
entirely.
You viii grant me an lntervisw to-
morrow, pleaded s Edward, softly.
knew we'll VIII that meant, he would
be trifed With II longer. 1 bowed cold
assent. Then Mrs. Gray came up to me
and said: I have charming surprise for
you, my dear Who do you suppose is
coming here o-night-coming. too, -ex-
pressly to see you? You remember your
old schoolmate, Viola Wilton? She
married abroad recently, and has come
home for her wedding tour. They ar
rived only yesterday. could never have
persuaded her to be present tonight but
for her longing to see you"
BY heart beat Wildly. Viola coming
home, aud so anxious to see mel What
might 1t mean2 Pretty Viola, about
whom Frank Bascome and / had quar-
relied because of my jealous fancy. 1
realized now how idle that jealousy had
been. What if Viola was the bearer of
some message from Frank Some pre-
scious olive-branch of peace and hopel
oh, if it were but a word, to tell me that,
constant as my own, how would well
come It'll Hope sprsng high in my breast.
6 ES:r Edward may be disappointed to-
morrow, after ALL thought; and then 1
inquired as calmly as I could:
Who did Viola marry?"
AN old acquaintance of your own,
dear, which makes it so much more
agreeable. Pretty Viola is Mrs. Bascome
now-as pretty as ever. and much more
stylish It seems to me that you Ond
Frank Bascome were good friends two
years ago. 1t viii be pleasant for you
all to meet"
And then some one else attracted her
attention, and she ran merrily away
don't know how long may have sat
there. quite still. without realizing any
thing but the anguish of the wound she
had so innocently. given my heart. The
frst thing that aroused me to a seLse OF
the present was Sir Edwards voice.
He was bending over me with an air Of
lover-like solicitude- It would have an
gered me at another time. but it was vel
come now.
Il fear you are not we'll, " he said, you
arose and took his arm I did it
pointediy, with certain air of appro-
priation that ell might see.
lam not we'll, I said. If you viii
take me quietly to my carriage, and then
return and make excuses to Mrs.
Gray" paused, then added, mean
ingly, looking straight into his eyes: i
shall be sufficiently recovered to receive
you when you call tomorrow, I dare
a look Of triumphant pleasure flashed
into his face.
@Deers st Christinel" he murmured.
He had never presumed to call me by
INV mama before. I shuddered with
feeling of repulsion for a moment. theI
controlled myself and leaned upon hi:
arm. Many eyes followed us under.
standingly as We made our way slowl,
through the crowd. At the carriage doc,
he kissed nv hand. That was seen also
] did not care. What did 1t matter? II,
was not to be disappointed tomorrow
after all.
AsI bowed goodnight from the win
dow another carriage drove up to the door
and I saw its occupants descend. A gen
tleman came first; tall, with face tina
seemed familiar to me. Then sprang oui
into his very arms. little dainty figure
clad IN bridal white-Violal-pretty Vic
laI Prettier, indeed. than ever. and sparh
ling with happiness and Joy. Anothe
figure followed her-Frank Bascome-th
man lovedl
On, heavensi the sight of him, afte
those two long years. How 1t drove q
other thought, all other memory from %
-niad, save only that Of how loved hin