The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-12-07
TIE EVIDENCE.

sHs sS lily lINSl II itNCU.
Stella Lorne dropped her letter into
The mail box at the corner and turned
hastily away. The deed was. done; the
letter mailed; a little later it would be
on its way to its destination in dis
tant Northern city. Yet Stella felt
strangely uneasy. Had she been too
precipitate?
Perhaps there was some mistake, aft
er all. Oh, how she wished it might
be so; she would humble herself upon
her knees before him, it 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
near by, where she had lived all her
life, still with that uneasy feeling rank.
ling in her heart, that troubled express
sion i'll her gray eyes. ..s... .
Going straight to her own room, she
opened her Writing-desk, and took from
it q letter-the letter which had told
her Of Teddy Danes perfidy. Teddy
Dane, her own dear lover, to whom she
was betrOthed.
Tar away, in his Northern home, he
was working for ler-Waiting for the
day 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 a very comfortable
income. So she devoted herself to her
literary work, and her bank account
gradually increased. For Stella was in
dependent, and was determined not to
come to Teddy Danes home penniless;
and all her worldly possessions consist
ed of the income derived from her writ
ing
Teddy was so loving and tender, so
true and honorable, no wonder she
loved him; and il there was little jeal-
GUS 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 spice
OF Jealousy. 1t is the human element,
and since we are all poor, erring NOR
tails, our love must partake of the hui
man-more or less. But nothing had
ever aroused the slumbering demon,
jealousy, within Stella'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 tlsa cause Of her
disgust ever since it's reception that
morning. This is what it said:
Miss Stella Lorne: Pardon me- a
stranger, for venturing to address Il
word Of warning to you. 1 understand
that you are betrothed to Mr.. Teddy
Dane, of W. Are you aware that
he is constant visitor at Miss Laura
l-atlmers residence in b? 1t is
generally understood here that Mr..
Dane is going to marry the lady. I
have been aware Of this for some time,
and as have the greatest respect and
admiration for you as a lady and a
writer, l have ventured to drop YOU
this hint. If I have Numbered in so
doing l beg your pardon. My inten-
nons arc good, and l trust you will
not imagine, for moment, that my
motive is otherwise than honorable,
"A word to the wise is sufficient
Yours Very Respectfully,
Oscar SmithsOn."
Slowly, carefully did Stella Lorne
read this letter over, her face growing
very pale, her eyes filling with tears
or bitter sorrow and regret. Sorrow
for her own suffering, her lost faith,
lost trust end regret that her idol
should be thus rudely. dcthroned. For
Stella could not close her eyes to the
warning conveyed in Mr. Smithson's
letter. She had never met the gentle
man personally, but he had attended
to some business matters and had
investing her small funds in such an
advantageous manner that the invest
mentS had largely increased her mod
est bank account. She knew that he
was shrewd and KEEN fine business
maEs.>r, and, as far as she was aware,
gentleman. She felt that his letter
was entitled to consideration at least
For what object could he have for de-
Hberately lnisrepresenting and at
tempting to make trouble between her
and Teddy:
Yes, it must be true, poor Stella
could not believe otherwise Laura
Latlmer was an animated fashion plat e
a soulless woman, who delighted in
angling for mems hearts, and entering
into engagements, Just for fun" cn-
gagements which she had not the
slightest intention should eliminate in
marriage She was too fond of he1
freedom, she was wont to say. And
so she went on her game of hearts, and
more than one man had learned to dc.
spise her.
10 Stella LOrne who knew all about
her, though personally a stranger, the
very sound OF her name was sufficient
to arouse all the worst attributes of hel
nature. And now, to read in a stran
gers letter the shameful announcement
t. of Teddy Danes falseness seemed
g. more than she could bear. Soon after
the letter from Mr.. Smithson had ar
rived Stella had seated herself at he1
desk. and there she had written a few
scathinG lines to Teddy (true and faith
full. she had always called him), ant
had coldly broken the engagement be
tween them.
Mature deliberation has convinced
me that we should never be happy to
gether," she wrote, "and l therefore
cancel the engagement between us
You will find sweet consolation in Miss
Latimer's affection (while it lasts), anG
well, no matter about me, good-by.
And if that was not cruel letter
then I am no Judge.
And now the letter was mailed; wa:
safe in Uncle Sans letter box ant
Stella was home again. But somehow
the spirit of defiance and anger which
had upheld her during the entire cpl
rNNrI0 IN~-.