The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-27
LURED AWAY.


day. Louise is an old maid now.
remember the time very we'll when she
was called a beauty-when that yellow,
parchment-like brow was as white as
alabaster and those sunken cheeks
Dl0omed like the rose.
first met Louise Elkins at school. She
was my roommate. We were intimately
| associated, and learned to love her. She
was my cOnfda nte, and l thought l was
hers.
The time came when ! knew that she had
never confded in me. but had shown me
only the surface of her thoughts and deeds
and purposes.
How many times she confronted ne with
words and caresses, as hypocritical as
they were sweet, for the very disappOint-
ments that she had carefully and remorse-
lessy prepared for me.
Two years after / left school Louise
paid me visit. | welcomed her with de-
light. There was but one person whose
presence had ever given me deeper joy,
| but even my love for Guy Carleton, alb
sorblng as 1t was, had not weakened this
| long-cherished but widely different affec-
ton. Dinner was served in Louise's room,
and then evening came. and we had
scarcely been separated long enough to
dress before Guy was announced.
| l stole down for moment before going
to Louise. | was to tell him of her arri-
! val; how disappointed | was to perceive
that he did not share my delight and that
his fine face clouded AS L spoke JoyOusly
of the long desired pleasure of introduc-
ing my two loved friends to each other.
what is the matter, Guy? | asked,
anxlously. Are you not well?"
L am quite well, TheO." he replied.
But l am sorry this girl has come. For
! give me, dear, 1t may be selfish, but / can
not resist the premoniton that she will
| come between us-perhaps to destroy our
happiness"
Louise come between nsi Why. Guy.
| can yon believe any friend of mine could
do this? But you do not know Louise.
She will rejoice in my happiness rs if it
were her own"
Louise made decided impression upon
| Guy. His opinion of her changed even
| during tue first evening of their acquaint-
| ance.
Louise had a rich voice. the rarest l ever
| heard Tor one who was not professional
singer. and GuyIwas passiOnately fond Of
music.
| In the early period of Louise's visit |
often accompanied her upon the piano, but
| at length she discovered my accompani-
ment did not suit her voice, and Guy joined
/ in her criticism. | relinquished my seat to
her. and never again offered to play while
| she sang.
| Nor was I missed apparently. l used to
sit for hours in some obscure corner or
| out upon the vlne-snaded yeranda, While
Guy bent over the instrument. so close that
| his dark locks seemed TO mlngle with the
brown curis of Louise, and listened To the
| sweet sounds she was pouring forth.
| AT length slight illness of my mother
compelled me to attendance upon her for
many days. While | was thus employed
Louise aud Guy were left almost entirely
to each others compromising.
i seldom saw GuV during this time and
| then. in one Of those rare meetings, instead
OF noticing my pale cheek, he chided me
| for allowing Louise TO spend so much time
| In the sick room.
| was too much surprised at this, as well
as grieved, TO tell him the truth at once,
and before | could speak the opportunity
| was lost Louise had called him and he
HAD moved to her side.
But my eyes, that had before begun TO
| be unseaied, were now fully opened I
saw that Louise was false; that she was
putting for the very art to deprive me of the
affections of my lover.
Ny mother was still very i'll and I con-
fined myself almost entirely to her room,
only joining Louise and Guy when could
not refuse 10 do so without betraying nv
self.
l was schooling myself to what | be-
lieved must come. The period of Louise's
visi., as first arranged. had passed, but she
did not speak of departure and | felt sure
she had only delayed until Guy should be
lured on to the point of proposal.
| One brilliant summer morning | was
| passing through the wide hall and saw
Guys small office boy standing there ana
holding two bouquets, which he presep ted
to me. One was for Louise, and little
note accompanied it. With mine there
was no message.
called Louise from the parlor and gave
her the note and flowers. A wicked glance
OF triumph was my reward. as she ran up-
stairs.
Half an hour passed before she came
down, and saw her give two notes to the
boy, telling him that one was for his mas
ter. and asking him TO drop the other at
the postoffice.
Another hour passed, when from nv
post by my mothers bedside, | saw.
through the open window, Guy coming
hastily along the avenue. Louise was
| singing in the parlor, but to nv snrnrise
he did not join her, but sent servant to
ask If he could see me for few moments
In the breakfast-rOom.
''She has accepted him." thought. land
he has come to be released from his vows
to me-"
But was mistaken. 1t was to the con.
LESSONS OF penitent l had 10 listen.
Louise had Deen her own revelator to him.
The letter she had inclosed in the en-
ve!ope TO him had been intended for an
Other. aud had exposed her plot and dilated
upon her triumph.
Guy incosed the letter to her without
comment, and that very afternoon She Ie,
us. without even the ceremony of a fare
well.
From that hour have but seldom seen
her, With all her arts and the fascln atoms
OF her voice. her manner and her beauty,
she never married. l fancy she could
never delude her victims quite long
enough. but always betrayed herself be-
fore it was too late for them to withdraw
Boston Budget.
A STRANGE PHENOMENON.