The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-01-11
John TEMPLE.

"Yes.n
"I'll bet you don't"
"PI bet / do. I'll bet you a gold
ring that when Kitty Black is eighteen
years old she win be my wife"
The school buzzed with this bet. 1
was not supposed to know itt But l
did, and gave no sign. Soon after /
was sent to boarding-school. My faith
er had heard with great displeasure of
the affair, and did not choose that such
thoughts should be put in my head. |
was not back again until after | had
graduated. 1t was in summer-a
summer of calm of starlit.nights. The
town was full Of young people who had
put school behind them, and now press
ed forward eagerly to taste the cup of
joy which life presents but once
Among them was John Temple, even
more triumphant than of old, for he
wore the .all-conquering uniform Of a
West Point cadet. He had no rivals.
When he appeared, others retired. He
took by right, and caused no jealousy.
Such was his complete domination.
saw him first at an evening party,
: Rumor had engaged him to young
girl of the town who had won him by
years Of devotion. He had brought
her that evening.
There were strangers present, one a
gay and handsome Southern girl. He
was bending over her when / first saw
him. He pretended he did not see me at
first lam not a person that challenges
the attention of the room. But / knew
that he did see me, and with that sub
tie, quiet understanding that never
had needed signs between us, I knew
he would be at my side presently.
His devotion to the girl grew even
more marked, but / was not surprised
when, although was in deep CONVEX
sation with some one else, / felt him
take my hand. He drew it in his arm.
I" Come" he said, and led me on to the
long gallery where up and down we
paced in the moonlight all the even
ing.
As we passed the long, open win
dows Icould see within. The girl to
whom John Temple was said to be en-
gagged had left the dancers, and two
kind girl friends were trying to screen
her unhappiness and fearful eyes.
The gay visitor to whom he had been
all devotion was laughing still in hard,
strained tones, and looking about with
wondering eyes; youth is hard and
remorseless felt no pang. i enjoyed
my triumph.
i This was the beginning. When T
was not, and doubtless making proper
occasions, John Temple repaired his
omissions and paid court right and left.
But when | was present, was all in
all. We sat out dances, and paced
the sidewalks, wanderingup and down
the block with that freedom which vii
lage life allows
tie can't propose to her, because
he's engaged to Edith, u heard voice
say one evening.
" That would't be. a straw in his
way" was the reply.
| heard both indifferently.
/ saw Edith grow paler and thinner,
and unhappiness settle on her ia 60 like
disease" Ispitted her, only herr: ,pireten-
sions to John Temple seemed absured.
He was mine&if / cared to have him.
One evening l Yas late at dance.
When l came inJohn Temple was the
center of group of girls. There was
a laughing dispute among them.
- But | have the documents he
said, and pulled from his pocket time
stained card years ago knew there
was time coming when you would
deny your ages, so took precautions
to get them then. l guess I'm equal
to the arithmetic" i
There was a cry, and hands flung up
to seize the card which he quickly re-
stored to his pocket y
WHO would have thought you could
have been so slyP'
=" What a base advantage of inno-
cent confidence y
Well as | knew him, that he could so
long and secretly cherish such a little
scheme was revelation.
He disentangled himself from them
and came to me, After few languid
whirls he said, 4" let us leayeathis y