Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-11-09
A MANS CONQUEST.
M c. G.


'If there is sin that will damn n
man, it is that Of deliberately plotting
wonan's destruction through her affect
ions, and men do It,"
II was quite speech for the superb
and reticent Miss Farquhar to make
aud she looked superb as she made it,
Nobody--certainly no woman-could dis
dnin conquest more than Miss Farquhar.
Nothing could have surprised her then,
more than as she turned at some ex-
PLANTATION of her companion, to behold
the very gentleman in connection with
whose name she had just expressed her
self so strongly.
Miss Farquhnrs face hardened and
whitened perceptibly.
"One ought never 10 speak of another
what one would be unwilling that others
should hear. / am glad he heard me.
He knows one woman's honest opinion
of him at least"
And then the red began to deepen
again in her face, as she recalled, with
an involuntary thrill, Fmrfax Bretton's
look as he passed her.
Miss Fnrquhar had never spoken with
Fairfax Breton. She knew him well
enough by reputation, and had distinctly
declined the honor of the acquaintance.
There was Just now bitter scandal
atloat concerning him and a lovely girl
who had come to town n bride early In
lAlt ntdHuus IltI uuNuAuus u hOWuluWu
merchant, old enough to be her father,
had no time to look after his girl-wife's
society or reputation, and Fairfax Bret
ton hud furnished both.
And then one night at party she saw
him. Her hostess came to her and said:
Dear Miss Farquhar ] wish you would
let me introduce Fairfax Breton. He
would like II l know, very much. / do
assure you he is changed man ever
since that unhappy affair of Mrs. Lom-
bard's; everybody says so. May bring
him to your
Miss Farquhnr hesitated briefly, and
bowed her naughty head in cold assent.
She took his arm for a promenade
when he offered 1t, and people who
knew what opinion Miss Farquhar WAS
supposed to hold concerning Fairfax
Breton, stared and enjoyed the specta-
Gle as one worthy of notice.
Il will try TO deserve this kindness of
yours, Miss Farquhar,' were Bretton's
first words as be bent the dangerous
light of his handsome eyes on the half
ayertcd face of his companion.
ITS pity there are not more women
like You, Miss Farquhar. There would
be fewer men like-like what | was be
fore / heard that brave denunciaton
from your lips
She gave him n quick, scathing glance.
Don't try to aatter me, Mr. Breton"
No, upon my honor"
Another glance of the gray, honest
eyes. She was wondering II such man
had any honor to swear by.
He answered the look with one thrill
hngly eloquent with sadness and re-
proach
II deserve that you should wonder at
me talking of honor; l haven't any
right"
Her eyes were kinder now. and her
VOipn caffaua1 aa gha said with glfuhilV
flushing check:
Pardon me; did not mean to init
mate that"
II pardon you-IP' he said, In his
rich mellow voice; II who owe you the
little honor l have left--vho owe you
even the-the respect l still have for
woman kind"
She shrank at that; her sensitive color
fading again, her lips naughty.
Pray let us talk of more general sub
jects. Have you seen this new picture
Of Rebeccn aud Bots Guilbert!'
They stood u moment In silence. Miss
Farquhar did not look on the picture
before her She was conscious only Of
the near contact of the man whom every
principle of her sincere, upright nature
taught her TO distrust and avoid, but
whose voice fell upon her ear with Sc
duetive sweetness.
Your name should have been Re
heccd instead Of H0Wenu. FAIRFAX Blet-
ton said. incliting his handsome head a
little.
Miss Farauhar started.
He smiled.
''Is It so singular that should treas
ure anything belonging to you--eyen
your namei"
He laughed little bitterly.
What not even 50 little rs thatG All
men, even i, have right 20 treasure
a memory. above all when the memory
is Of woman hopelessly loved
Miss FarquhRr could not answer. she
turned CHASTITY, even 60 her lips.
IIe led her to seat and stood grayely
between her and any chance scrutiny
till she, with supreme effort Of will
RULED again.
VIII you order my carriage. please
she asked. coidly. Il AN not well;
thiak viii 20 homa."