The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-08-30

At 7;45 that evening Nane met John
McCullsgh in the big corridor Of the
Fifth Avenue. McCullagh vas a clever
man, who had written the play which
Vane and Euniee were to have seen that
night.
Il am going up to Col. Coppinger's to
bring Alice down 10 see the last two acts
tonight" he said to Vsne.
"If you are going TO Coppinger's, why
why" Vane responded, will you take
a note up TO Miss Erdman for me ?"
"Yes. Hurry up with it for haven't
much time"
Yane had found that he would have
part of the evening to himself, and he
made up his mind to take Eunice to the
theater after all. He seized a piece OF
paper from the desk and wrote:
Il will be up at O. you wish We can
get down to see the las: two acts of
Southern"
McCullagh's basentmindedness Wed
with his forgetfulness. 4 friend rode up
with him, and in their talk all remem-
brance of the note in his pocket had es
capped him.
When he reached Col. Coppinger's he
found Alice sitting by the hre reading
the Idler and nursing cold. She could
not go.
"Do you suppose l would sit for an
hour and be compelled, just because you
were with me, to laugh at your jokes ?"
she said wickedly "Bat Miss Erdman is
upstairs. She viii be glad to go with
you, think"
Within ten minutes Eunice and Mr.. Nc
Cullagh passed out the door, he still un-
consciously bearing Mr.. Nane's note in
his pocket.
When Mr.. Nane himself called, halian
hour later, the servant, who was enter
tanning member ofthe police force in
the kitchen with cheese and assorted
crackers from the Coppinger cupboard,
was in no humor to answer bells cheer
fully.
So she told Vane abruptly that Miss
Erdman was not in, and closed the door.
Vane was angry and went off growing
TO the theater alone. lie knew Vaughn
and his daughter would be there.
The blood rushed to Eunices cheeks
when, just before the curtain rose for the
fourth act, she saw Vane walk into the
box where Mr.. and Mrs. Vaughn were
seated.
There's Vane in the Vaughn box, -
McCullagh whispered. Since he got in
with Vaughn his practice has trebled.
should not be surprised If he and Miss
Vaughn were a match. 1t will be a boost
for Nane, but be is worthy of it."
Thea the love making on the stage
went on.
"Isn't that the author himself sitting in
the eighth row back, next to the second
circle" asked Miss Vaughn, as she fo-
cused her glass upon the audience at the
close of the fourth act.
"Yes," answered yane, who had al
ready discovered the presence Of Nc
Cullagh and the identity of mis- comp&n-
ion, staring blankly at the gallery Il
wonder if he enjoys his own play ?"
at is the same young woman l saw
here with him once before" continued
Miss Vaughn. Il suppose piaywrights fall
in love the same as everybody else"
During the intermission Vane was very
attentive to Miss Vaughn. But be for
got his gayety when be left her, for there
WAS very bitter look on his face as he
turned the key in his own lock at mid
night.
The next day he was troubled in mind
and heart. When night came he con-
cluded to 90 to Euniee, just to see what
explanation she would offer
In the meantime McCullagh had left
town, and the note WAS in an overcoat
pocket packed in the bottom of his trunk
When Vane reached Col. Coppinger's
at 5 O'Clock he found Medford and An
drews, who were members of the same
company of militia as himself, there be-
fore him. They were talking Ibout a re e
ception to be given by the co npany the
following evening, in which the officers
were to appear in uniform.
81 shall wear my fathers old sword" !"
said Andrews,
4 a
well, l can't" put in Medford, "be-
eEuse my father was not in the war;
1T is not right that you should be left
out7 interposed Eunice. She hesita ted
= ROnent. She saw Vane talking in an
aside 20 Alice.
Il have sword that you may We ar.
ExeEfe me moment" With this she
rau W 80 her room.
She took the scabbArd down from lis
place over her bureau and drew the bla, lie
ont. A little red spot showed itself in
the gaslight upon the steel-a drop OF
his blood.
Before she thought she pressed her lips
to it. Then, angry with herself, she
wiped it off with her handkerchief.
Here it Is. Mr.. MedfOrd," she said,
when she reached the little group down
stains; st has been in 20 battle"
Medford bowed his poiitest DOW ard
suddenly became the most talks.tive mag
in the company.
Vane went over to the mantelpiece and
began seriously to study the pictures
there.
Eunice's hand trembled when she re-
ceived the sword from MeClford as they
parted at the door the next evening. She
had been to the ball and had seen Vane
there with Miss Vaughn.
She cried herself TO sleep. The next
morning she announced her attention OF
visiting some of her relativ Is in her faith
er's native town in illinois,
While she was clearing out the last
drawer in her bureau in one corner she
saw something red. 1t was the blood on
the handkerchief she had used 10 bind
up Vane's wound when he had cut his
finger upon the sword blade. She kissed
it, thrust it into her pocket and cried.
In the latter part of April McCulIsgh
came bursting into Vane's Office.
"My dear fellow" he exclaimed, you
know am the most absent-minded man