The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1893-11-25

destination in
distant Northern city. Yet, Stella
felt strangely uneasy. Had she been
too precipitate?
Perhaps there was some mistake,
after all. Oh, how she wished it
might be so; she would humble her
self upon her knees before him, if
she could only prove herself mistaken.
Yet, it was therein black and white
before her-the evidence of his guilt
What could she do but believe?
She went home to the pretty cottage
nearby, where she had lived all her
life, still with that uneasy feeling
ranking in her heart, that troubled
expression in her gray eyes.
Going straight to her own room, she
opened her writing desk and took
from it Il letter the letter which had
told her of Teddy Danes perfidy.
Teddy Dane her own dear lover, to
whom she was betrothcd.
Far away, in his Northern home. he
was working for hcr-waiting for the
dav when he could claim her for his
wife. Stella was working, too, with
her pen; for she was quite a successful
writer of stories for various publica-
tons, and earned II very comforta BILE
income, So she devoted herself to her
literary work, and her bank account
gradually increased. For Stella was
independent, and was determined not
to come to Teddy Danes home penni-
less; and all her worldly possessions
consisted of the income derived from
her writing
Teddy was so loving and tender, so
true and honorable, no wonder She
loved him; and if there was little
jealous terror lurking in her heart,
lest some one else should learn to care
for him also. one cannot wonder at it.
For in all true love there turks Il spice
OF jealousy. 1t is the human element,
and since we are all ! DOR, crring NOR
tails, our love must partake of the
human-morc or less But nothing
had ever aroused the slumbering de.
mon, jealousy within Stclla's heart
until now. The first seed was sown
now-what would the harvest be?
She stood holding in her hand the
letter which had been the cause of
her disgust ever since its reception
that morning. This is what it said:
Miss STELLA LoRNE: Pardon me,
stranger, for vcnturing to address Il
word of warning to you. understand
that you are betrothcd to Mr.. Teddy
Dane, of W. Arc you aware that
he is constant visitor at Miss Laura
,,a,n'Ii,' ,,,ins,to,d hoo ~. ~.
81 - 81, -, -, ~.
- 80 . ',,..-, - ~; ~
III 90 -, ~. 80, -, -, -
IL a.d,,,ir,,ia,, Co.. o., ne n III, -
',..;,a,. ~, ,a,,,,,ra5 20 - 80" -, -
,h;s hint II have bL,nderpcd' in
-, sa I ha,r ranr ,,rJon NJ.
tontions arc good, and i trust you will
not Imagine. for a moment, that my
motive is otherwise than honora bic.
"A word to the wise is sufficient
Yours very respectfully,
"OsCAE SMrHsoN.
SLOWLY. carefully did Stella Lorne
rcnd This letter over, her face growing
very male. her eyes filing with tears
~ j,i,tc, sorrow; and regret. sorrow
fo,. nor own suffering, her lost faith,
lost trust. and regret that her idol
sbould he thus rndcly dcthroncd. For
Stella could not close her eyes to tine
warming conveyed in Mr.. Smithson's
letter, She had never NET the gentle
man personally, out he had attended
10 some business matters upon several
occasions. invest ng her small funds in
su,h an advantageous manner that
the Investments had largely increased
nor modest bank account She knew
that he was shrcwd and keen, Il fine
business manager. and, as far as she
was aware. gentleman. She felt
that his letter was entitled to consid-
Grafton at least. For what object
could he have in deliberately misreD-
resnntinp and attempting to make
.roub.c between her and Teddy?
Sns. IT must be true, poor Stella
could not believe otherwise. Laura
Ia,;,,or was an animated fashion
nIntc. n soulIcss woman, who de-
lighted in angling for mems hearts,
aud entering into engagements, Just
fol fun engagements which she haa
not the slightest intention should cul-
inmate in marriage. She was too
fond of her freedom, she was wont to
say. And so she went on in her game
of hearts. and more than one man had
learned to dcspisc her.
To stclla Lornc who knew all about
be, ,bongb personally stranger, the
h'i' 'o !. -, ~ ,,.,s srfiirient