Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-04-17

penreu among them again, fair, gentler-
swceter than ever, and frankly grateful
for the interest everybody betrayed in
her Then it came out that there had
been mistake. 1t was Alice who was
the heiress and not Maud the poor
cousin. though as beautiful, as radiant
and as perfect as Hebe
Miss Alice Payson, with the black
ribbon replaced, tried to thank Fame
King on the FIRST day Of her reappear-
ance, but her brown eyes filed and she
only said:
"You are young; life is sweet to
you; it was noble in you to risk yours
for me, Mr. King
Fane's heart swelled so that he hardly
knew what was the matter with him.
But, somehow, the friendly clasp OF
Alice Payson's hand and the gaze Of
her sweet eyes affected him as no hand
or eyes had ever affected him before.
The ice once broken, bevy of gen.
tlemen strovo for the attention Of the
cousins. Paul Hanover was foremost.
He was very handsome, fair, brilliant.
graceful. lie was not poor. Fame re-
membered that bitterly as he saw him
strolling with Alice on the beach or
driving for her the little pony carriage.
His own peace and comfort seemed
suddenly gone Miss Payson's gentle
friendlincss only made him worse
He was startled one day as ikshot by
Hanover remarking
"If you're not altogether gone with
the blues, Fame, I'd like you to con-
gratulate fellow
"Have you won your bet on the trot-
ting match y
"Pshaw. hang trotting matches !!
Don't be stupid, Fame. Haven't been
riding with Miss Payson y
"Well 2"
"Well it is, pirouetting around the
room and swapping his fingers like cas-
tanets "Pm the fond betrothed of
lovely girl, after the latest novel. Now.
what have you to say, my respectable.
moping friend q
Fame tried hard to command himself
and not betray his secret.
"Alice Payson is too good for you.
Paul." he answered, with nm attempt at
being sage and composed, in which he
succeeded but tolcrably
II dare say, but 1t isn't her, Fame"
"'Taint her ?'--looking electrified.
Certainly not. The moneys very
we'll, but that defect Of hers---it's deli
cate subject, but really couldn't marry
girl with Disagreement like that"
"You mean that you are engaged to
Maud y asked Fame, hardly believing
his ears
Exactly"
why, congratulate you, with all
my heart !" jumping up excitedly.
"'rhey are going away tomorrow,
Don't you want to see them again y
Fame went down the piazza where
the ladies sat, unreasonably happy
The ladies were standing upon the
piazza IN the early sunlight, when he
approached Alice Payson to say good
bye. Paul was talking to Maud, saucy
and beautiful in her jockey hat as Fame
found his way to Alice's side.
Goodbye. Mr.. King. You will come
and see us, with your friend n she said.
There was no one very near. He an
swered:
"No, love you, and SO | must say
goodbye forever. Alice"
He saw the delicate features pale. AT
that instant old Mr.. Payson came hur-
rying out, followed by porter with
large valisc in each hand
Ready, girls p ho called. Come,
hurry, or we'll miss the train"
Alice, with downcast face gathered
up her gray trailing skirt He thought
she was going without word, but sud
denly she looked up into his eyes
mo Come" she said. Aud then in
n moment she was gone. tho dainty car
riago glttering down the beach
A week later he waitcd for her in the
costly splendor of her drawing room. -
She came down, giving him her soft
hands, nor resisting his embrace
II love you so |" he murmurcd.
"Do you, really--with this disfigured
face y
81 never think of ID, Alice
She laughed then and slipped off the
black ribbon, and there was one smooth
cheek as fair and perfect as the other.
II had blistered my face for the tooth
ache 1t was nothing lasting, you see.'
When Fame told Hanover his happi-
ness, or as much of it as can be ex-
pressed in words, be looked AZ it there
was something unsaid upon his mind,
but when he behold Alice under her
bridal veil he seemed suddenly enlight-
ened.
"1f | hadn't been afraid OF II black
ribbon" be murmured, II might have
been City thousand dollars richer"
Perhaps.