The Colfax chronicle., 1891-12-05
RETRIBUTION.
A SOFT Heart Prevented q De-
served Punishment


way Won do. If were to be so cruel
I should expect to be punished for it.
"Well, il Mr. Phil has a mind to make
a fool of himself. do not see wat
business it is of mine," said piquant,
but firm and quiet voice, and sweet
lips closed themselves with decision;
they were lips often accustomed TO
close themselves with decision, Tor
they belonged to Helen Rutledge.
Helen Rutledge was q girl whom
any common description would wrong;
though she had brown eyes and hair,
and though the eyes were expressive
and the hair soft and wavy, though her
voice was contralto and had that Pc
culiar charm which that voice gives to
every word; though her deep brown
eyes were large, with full though thin
lids of unusual beauty and long brown
lashes; when you told these things she
was still undescribed. There was an
indcscribable charm about her, due not
to any peculiar feature, but mainly to
o self-ccntered, decisive, superior air
which seemed to come from her very
nature without any intervention OF
consciousness. AS to her character,
well, that will have to be shown.
The men seemed to have trick OF
falling in love with her, a habit which
caused her some annoyance and no
little amusement; but none had been
so completely under her thumb as
Philip Haughton. They were all to-
gether at popular summer resort He
was an attractive youth, and all the
girls liked him. but he cared for none
but Helen. He was intellectual, enter
tanning. handsome and full of resources,
and would have been q conspicuous
character II the good men had been as
plentiful as they were scarce. His
only faults were slight, almost boy
ish figure, and q certain lightness of
mien which some thought denoted
frivolity of character.
The dialogue above was interrupted
by the entrance of the party discussed.
Jennie. the friend, looked rather con-
scious; Helen not at all so.
.'Oh, Miss Rutledge," said Philip as
they walked off together, they are
arranging for big dance at the Grand
Western this evening; may l have the
pleasure of your company"
s.Nc, l do not like to make an en-
gagcment-something might happen =
''But you make engagements with
Others"
ssWell. what then7"
Nothing. only thought that after
all my devotion to you you might con-
descend to treat me rs you do the Others
who do not care the snap of their finger
for you Wcif"-with sigh-''the ole
idea is right that what we feel snrcs'
of we care least about If had more
of the worlds wisdom would concea
my heart. but love you too well fol
that, and so suffer-"
'sYou need not worry yourself abou
il; shall be at the dance and you ma,
look ut me to your hearts content"
II will, for it Is the only thing yos
will let me do"
The dance came and Philip was there
but Helen would not dance with hin
and hardly spoke to him. To be sur'
he did not waltz, which she said wal
the only dance she liked. but h
thought bitterly as he followed arount
at her heels she would not have re
garded that had she cared anything fo
him. He had resolved not to be ou
that night, but had been unable t,
keep away; he made many such re
solves, but he made them only to breal
them. For she was always so swee
and attractive. and just as he was OF
the point of open rebellion she woult
be SO kind and friendly he would sool
be as devoted as ever. Helen did no
believe herself firt, and resented th'
accusation with scorn; she even said /
worried her to have q man danglin,
after her, but Philip Haughton was no
the first man who had been treated il
Just that style. Still, she was not 81
Intentional flirt and her havoc wa
wrought from thoughtlcssness rathe
than malice.
Well, the season wore to q close, an
still Philips abject, servile devotion I
Helen made him the laughing stock O
the whole place. On the evening be
fore the party to which Helen belonge
was to leave, Philip requested her con-
pany for stroll along the beach Fo
wonder she consented.
"The pale moon"-but do not lik
interminablc description aud do nc
care to 20 on; You can find the rest
the average popular novel.
After q few light commonplaccs, i
which both seemed to avoid convcrss
tion, Philip said:
II fear shall be very sad after t.
morrow You have long nown of m
love for You; may l not ask before W
part-can you not give me some sligf
return for all my devotion? Do yo
not care q little bit for me?"
s'Mr. Haughton, this scene is painfv
to me, but there is only one course
take: l do not love you and never car
have enjoyed your company whc
you were not tooloving, and, therefor,
have, perhaps, not discouraged your a
tentions rs should have done, so be
your pardon"
Philip received this calmly. for it wa