The Forrest City times., 1893-05-26

-PShaw. l can tell you aOOut IL nere; come up to my room, and we'll have a cozy, old-fashioned chat"
 The delightful little impromptu sup per of well-seasoned dainties, washed down by champagne, was over, and the two gentlemen were smoking, when Thornby abruptly plunged into the subject which was uppermost in his mind.
 Charley. I'm in love- r."
 ''I am glad of that because you can sympathize with me. have come here expressly to see her, and have the day fixed for the wedding"
 ''I haven't got quite so far as that" saidForrest, smiling
 But, Charley she is the loveliest creature that the sun ever shone on an angel, divinity"
 Hold on, Ralph-not quite the loveli- est, trust; for the lady whom 1 worship is alone entitled to that superlative de gree of praise.''
 You're in love. too, my dear boy, so I'll excuse any little symptoms of insan- ity," rejoined Thornby, laughing; but really, if you could see Ella-hold on. believe I've got her picture somewhere about mel"
 He searched eagerly in his pockets, while Forrest repeated the soft name over
 Ella? Why that is the name of the young lady whom I admire so much. l l.. l. l.l clasped a little velvet miniature case, and held it toward him, that is the very face! You don't mean to say you are engaged to that girl?
 .'To be sure I am-what do you mean? Surely there is some mistake. can show you her last letter. He drew out a very sentimental epis- tie Forrest glanced over it with be- wildered eyes, and then. biting his white lip until the blood started. took from his own pocl1etbooll prettiiy worded note from Ella, which he had received that morning. ''The handwriting is precisely simi- lar. Ralph, we are the dupes of an art ful, unprincipled woman. This same Ella Wardlaw, while she is correspond ing with you in this impassioned strain, is doing her best to lure me on to pro- posal"'
 Ut cannot be-" gasped Ralph, feeling as if he were in dream. But 1 know it to be so. Heavens what narrow escape have had. And you, also, Thornby, should rejoice at your escape from the wiles of false hearted coquette.' Still Ralph Thornby repeated, be- tween his clenched teeth: II will not believe it-Ella is truth 1 itself"
 Shall we put it to the test?" asked Forrest, rather indignantly.
 Do what you please. I will stake | my life on her single e-mindedness." Thornby took out pencil and dashed off hurried proposal in form.
 ''There-I will send this tomorrow l morning. with a request for an immedi- ate answer. When that answer comes, will you believe its testimony" Thornby nodded; but the hand which | lay upon Charles Forests was cold as marble.
  1 said Forrest, as he rose to take leave. 'I am sorry for you from the very bot tom of my heart, for you feel this more deeply than can do.'' But Thornby did not answ >r-he was gazing absently into the fire. 1 Head and heart both ached sadly that night; but the weariness of travel was nothing to the sick sensation of distrust and apprehension that had taken possession of his mind. There fore, it happened that he was still lounging over his almost untasted breakfast when Charles Forrest was an- nounced by waiter.
 "Well," was his greeting Forrest replied: ''I have dispatched my missive and here is the answer. See, the seal 1 is yet unbroken-we will peruse it to- gether"
 It was a slSillfully written note of glad acceptance Ella wrote that 'she | had long loved Mir. Forrest-that her greatest happiness through life would be to secure his contentment," with a variety of charming little addenda. such as, yesterday, would have filled Charles Forests heart with rapture. Now, they were false. idle rhapsodies.
 Are you convinced?" was Forrest $ simple question. as the letter dropped from his companions trembling hand.
 Fl am. It has been pleasant dream; but 1 am effectually aroused at last. Charley. I have been fool-a dupc.
 And so have I, Ralph; just give me that enthusiastic love letter you showed | ma last uiyht |.