Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-08-28
BETRAYED;
Or
A DARK MARRIAGE
MORN.
4 Romance of LOUe, Intrigue and
Crime
By MRS. ALICE P. CARB1sToEs

DIsHoNoRED.

DIsHONoRED.
The President of the Atlantic National
Bank, in which Eugene Cleveland had
been assistant boOkkeeper, and in which
Ray Fielding was still employed, was
Sidney Leland, Esquire, near nelghbor
of the Hon. Sherwood EllistOn, and a
very wealthy and important parsonage, IN
deed.
He had married young, and had two
grOWn-up ChIldFen-a son and daughter.
The son, Warren Leland, was not far from
twenty-eight years of age. The daughter
was some years younger.
On leaving his uncle's house that event
ful afternoon Eugene walked slowly to-
ward the next corner, lingering for stage
TO OveTtake him.
As he arrived opposite the Leland man
sion The door opened and a young man
issued forth. He was not only strikingly
handsome but very stylish looking, and
had that indescribable air OF the elite
which, without words, proclaimed to all
the world how exceedingly well satisfied
he was with himself and his position in
life.
An unaccountabIe feeling of aversion
seized Eugene, and he experienced
sensation such as one is said to feel when
an enemy walks upon his grave.
Warren Leland" he muttered, as he
passed on. Wonder what he's up to now?
Some deviItEy, I'll be bound.
Leland, after a nod of recognition,
walked slowly down the street.
Presently a cab approached. He sig
nal the driver, and, as it drew up to the
Grand Central Depot, and sprang in
side
On reaching the depot, he bought a
ticket for Bedford Park, and little later
landed at that station.
He made his way to one of the most
- 80. l., H. e
and presently stopped before gate upon
which gentleman, a little older than
himself, was leaning.
This man, Hobart BrOwneu, had BEEN
his classmate and chum at Yale He loved
Leland, and trusted him.
He had been poor, but now was a sue
cessTuI civil engineer, and likely, in the
near future, to be very rich.
His family consisted of his wife, a very
beaut full lady some years younger than
himself, and her mother.
Leland, since leaving college, had lost
sight of BrOWnell, and had only recently
met him again and become acquitted with
his wife.
But since he had first seen her. his
visits to Bedford Park had been quite
frequent, and had resulted in seriously
disturbing Amy BroWnelps peace of mind
At first she had only been dazzled by
the elegant Warren Leland; but soon.
without herself really knowing it, this
man had taken possession of her very
soul
He, seeing clearly the situq&on, was a
little dlsquieted at the course things were
taking, and made some slight effort to
divert II.
But men, who in fencing wish to spare
their adversary, often find habit too
strong for them, and lunge home in spite
of themselves.
h.aI F,,1 ,e, oil A1,, 4
in Amy BrOwneu-in her upsOphisticated
ways at once artful and simple, provoking
and timld, suggestive and reticent-in
short, charming.
And so it was he was now standing at
the gate facing her husband.
My friend, said the latter, -as you are
here you can do me a great favor. A tel
egram calls me suddenly to Chicago I
must go on the instant. The ladies are
feeling quite blue; pray stay and dine
with them! 1 can't tell what the deuce
ails my wife. She is weeping half the
time. My mother in-laW has a headache.
Your presence will cheer them. So stay,
I beg OF you"
Leland refused, hesitated, made obiee-
tiOns, and of course, consented. He went
in, and his friend presented him to the
ladies. whom the presence of the unex-
pected guest seemed to ckeer a little
Brownell started for the depot, after re-
ceiyilg from his wife an embrace more
fervent than usual.
The dinHe, was really cheerful.
In the atmosphere was that subtle es-
Bence OF coming danger Of which both
Leland and Amy felt the exhilarating in
1uence. Their eXcitatiOn, as yet innocent,
employed itself in those lively sa1lies-
those brilliant combats at the barriers
that ever precede the more serious con-
hict
About o'clock the headache of Anly's
mother became more violent. She de-
clared she could endure it no longer, and
must retire to her chamber. Leland
wished to withdraw, but the elder lady
insisted he should wait until it was time
for the next train.
Let my daughter amuse you with some
music until then, she added.
Left alone with her guest, the younger
lady seemed embarrassed.
What shall play for your" she asked,
In a constrained voice, taking her seat at
She PianO.
Oh, anything. Play waltz, " answered
Leland absently.
The waltz finished, an awkward silence
ensued. To break it she arose hesitating-
ly, then clasping her hands together, eI-
claimed:
1T seems to me there is a storm COM
ing. Do you not think so?"
She approached the widow, opened it.
and stepped out on the veranda.
In a second Leland was by her side.
The night was beautifully clear. Be.
fore them stretched the somber shadow Of
the trees, while nearer trembling rays Of
moonlight slept upon the lawn.
Their trembling hands met and for
moment did not separate.
Amy" whispered the young man in
low, broken voice. She shuddered, re-
pulsed the arm be passed round her, AM
hastily re- entered the room.
Leave me, I pray you'll" she cried
With an impetuous gesture Of her hand
as she sank upon the sofa and buried he
face in her hands.
seated himself by her.
In a little while Amy Browneu awok
from her trance.
How bitter was that awakening! Sh
measured at a first glance the depth o
the awful abyss into which she had sud