The Forrest City times., 1891-03-06
ANNETTE'S ROMANCE

All the 19 year of her life--ever since she was an infant, in fact-Annette Raymond had felt @ strange antipathy for Mir. George Wortley, her fathers employer in large merchantile busi ness. There existed no tangblereasor | for this feeling, and Annette had tried very hard to overcome it, but without | success.
 Mir. Wortley was a handsome man, bland, gentlemanly, well educated and a favorite with the ladies. Half the | girls in Manchester had tried vainly to captivate him; his hard heart s"ill held out and refused to be capt | cd. He was 40 years of age now and | owned Che finest home in the town 4 year previous to the time of which l write Annette Kaymond's father had died, and her brother Edward ! had been received into his place as head clerk with Mir Wortley.
 Their business was wholesale one, and they employed a great many clerks. Among them, and trusted as much as any person about the ware house, was Lester Arnold, Annette S betrothed lover.
 Arnold was poor, having nothing but his salary; but his family was highly respectable and the young mans individual talents and | acquire ments were quite sufficient to make him acceptable to a girl of Annette's strong common sense. One morning about a month before the dGy fixed for her marriage, Annette was arranging d bouquet of migpohette and moss roses. which Lester had just sent her, when the servant brought mp MT, George Wortley s card.
 An impatient expression escaped her lips. She did not want to see him, but courtesy demanded something for a gentleman of his standing. She went down to the parlor without even gancing at her lovely face in the mirror, and when a woman does 8 thing like that you may be sure she is thoroughly indifferent to the visitor.
 My dear Miss Raymond" eaid he drawing her to a chair, twill you please be seated2 have a somewhat painful revelation to make to you.
 Wondering. yet not greatly anxious over anything Mr Wortley might have to say, she took the seat he in- dieated; but he would not suffer hert to withdraw the hand he had taken.
 |. | 1, word of what l have come to say must have your promise that you will keep 1t q secret as of course, if you value h;s safety, you will be only too glad to do.
 Whose safety?" she asked, haugh- tily
 "Mr Lester Arnold s''
 She crimsoned to the temples.
 "Will you tell me what you mean, sir?"
 When you have promised to be silent.
 She bowed her head.
 'I will not mention what you tell me. Mir Wortley."
 Very well; your promise is as good as your oath Lester Arnold has iolStAi Nllt liciiilt ol iiiN III Ill., iltti~
 ''lt is an infamous falsehoodl' she cried, indignantly springing to her feet.
 II wish 1t wereli he said, sadly; I should be 800 pounds richer, for he has drawn just that amount out of my pocket. You had better listen to me calmly, Miss Raymond, and be satisfied that 1 can prove what Isay."
 And like one under the influence oi a horrible nightmare. she listened while, in his calm, business way, he told her the story, putting the case before her so plainly that the veriest child might have understood. The evidence against Lester Arnold was perfect
 What she felt-what she sutiered-t cannot describe but she was very proud, high-spirited woman, and she gave little outward sign of the anguish within. Mir. Wortlev wondered great ly to see her take 1t so coolly, and be- gan to doubt if. after all, she had loved Arnold SO deeply.
 Well, she said, when hehad finish ed, what will you do? You will not proceed against him?'
 "The law must take it's course, Miss Raymond. y
 No! You say that you alone know of this-this ''-she hesitated over the word-''lrregularity, and you asked me to keep it secret Surely, you in tend to save him?"
 You can save him. If you will. It is for that have come to you
 "Can you askg Only tell me how"
 He caught both her hands in his.
 Be my wife for l love you as he never loved yott' have loved you for years2 Promise to be my wife, and Lester Arnold is saie,
 Your wiic' she cried. wildly. "I had rather die
 ''As you like" he said, coldly; "I will not urge you. In two hours I shall have him under arrest, and nothing can save him from the hor- TOTS oi n lail. and remember that you have placed him there.
 "l accept your terms,' she said. "I hate you-l have hated you always, shall never feel any differently to- ward you but will save him-i will be your wife
 She wrote n note to Lester Arnold.
 "Mr. Arnold: have changed my mind. , In one week am to become the wife of Mir. will never let me look on your face again. ANNETTE RAYMOND"
 
 At Poplar hall Mrs. Wortley reigned queen. She dressed as no