Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
reception being totally unexpected by

II want to see you; they tell me you
are going away?" was tho woman's in
quiring remark.
''Well-what Of it?''
Are you going to take me with you?"
she asked.
-''How absurd!" replied the merchant.
"But you promised me that should
go to New York with you whenever
you went there" said the woman, in a
pleading voice.
1t was in tone Of cruellest irony that
Mr.. limerick said: "Your aspirations in
that respect were too sincere"
''What! do you mean to tell me that
you were not in earnest?" calculated the
woman.
Ibid you ever believe for moment
that reputable merchant would ever
appear in New York society with Belle
Lorimer, the variety actress, who has
tripped on every stage in Europe and
has been the subject of hundred
scandals, at his heels?' he asked, with
a cynical smile.
81 believed that I was dealing with
an honorable man, but it seems l am de-
ceived," replied the actress.
This is a world of deceits, my dear
Miss Lorimer. So much SO that one
ought to become accustomed to it." was
the unconcerned rejoinder.
eyes, but the man who deceiveS me
had better think carefully before he
acts. My name has been. banded about
by thoughtless women and slanderous
men on all parts of the globe, and l
have calmly submitted to it a de-
served punishment for my indiscretion.
But when man who passes for a gen.
tleman, forsooth, comes to my aid and
volun teers to help me raise myself
from the level l have reached, restores
my better nature by a magnanimous
offer to N AXE me his wife and in the
end calmly informs me that he was
only jOlzing-then all the evil passions
of my soul rise in force and I deter
mine that sooner or later will be re-
venged. Oh, no, julius limerick. you
can not shake me off so easily"'
Belle Lorimer was thoroughly aroused
now and she glared at her deceiver like
tigress. No remark escaped him,
however, and under the pretence of not
listening he continued writing with as
sumed Indifference.
1T is such fint-hearted villains as
you who make women's hearts grow
cold also. You lead us on to hopes of a
better and purer life only to dash them
away when you throw us aside, as a
child does discarded toy.
''Yet you go forth into the world and
place in society is willingly made for
you; respectful treatment meets you on
all sides and your past actions are never
referred to-while we poor women, who
in an unguarded moment lay ourselves
~
forever condemned, and the mud which
smirches our garments leaves a stain
which can never be washed out Why
is it so none can answer. All that the
world does is to keep on throwing mud
at the poor defenceless woman and lion
ize the demon who has caused her down
fall
''What has all that eloquence to do
with the present case?" asked Mr.
limerick, looking up from his work
Every thing" replied the woman,
who was now thoroughly cxasperated.
''You led me to believe that you wers
in earnest and now you tell me you were
joking. Do you suppose 1 am going to
submit to such treatment without a
murmur? No, indeed. Either you
marry me and take me with you to
New York, or you do not go yourself.
On that I am determined"
II am interested to know how you
will prevent me from going, my fair
tigress," he replied.
THE means will be forthcoming"
was the answer.
My dear woman, you might as we'll
attempt to stop the flow of the La Plata
river as to try and thwart the plans of
Julius limerick l shall go and moth
ing will prevent me-yOur interference
will count as naught.''
1.-THE interference will not come from
me directly" responded the actress.
Then will you kindly inform me
from what source meg expect it?" he
asked.
Eyes, 1 will, and you shall have a
cnance of escape was the woman's
| reply.
NAMED the chance and you shall
know my resolve in moment" said
Mr.. limerick.
The actress was sitting on the oppo.
site side of the desk and as she gazed at
| the heartless man before her sLe seemed
to transfiX him with her look She was
quieter now and calmly commenced:
1.-THE other night there was card
party at your house." At these words
| he opened wide his eyes and said: Yes,
| what of it?" The woman continued
| There was present at that party a
handsome Englishman, and he caused a
quarrel by accusing you and you,
friends of cheating him."
EYES," replied the merchant shat is
So"
|. "Where is the Englishman now?'
asked the actress.
THAT is not in my power to tell; why
do YOU ask me?" said Mr.. limerick.
because at daylight of the morning
your party broke up there was to have
been duel and since then the English.
man has not been seen. You know. or
ought to know, where he is and unless
he is soon found you and your friends
will have to account for him. At pres
ent am the only person not a member
OF the party who knows any thing of
the circumstances You can guess what
that means"
In a voice Of suppressed rage, Mr.
limerick inquired: HAS that traitor,
Miguel Castillo, been talking to you?''
Eyes, it was he who told me, and he
says he fears that the Englishmar has