The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1894-06-23
ALICE'S MISTAKE.
Her Hasty Words That Caused
Months of Misery.

Months Of Misery.
had thought l loved him, had beef
very happy as his affianced bride, an,
whispered with strange pride hi
name. remembering that some day
would be my own as we'll But min
was not the nature to work control.
was rather an early date, l thought
when an engagement was SO new
thing, not quite three months old, t
be called to account for my actions
And what had done wrong?' MY
betrothed. Clarence Withers, had been
absent for week, and during his alb.
sence Will Maynard had been my
escort wherever had CHANGED to 60.
would not have my engagement an
nounced, although it was currently
suspected; there were many kind friends
to whisper the fact of my so-called
Irritation to Clarence upon his re-
turn And SO my first meeting was
not alas. what l had painted it to my
SELF When Invent forward to meet
him, glad. oh, so glad. to see him home
again, and ready to tell him SO, if he
needed telling other than the story he
could read in my eyes and outstretched
hands OF welcome, he only took nv
hands in his and held me off rather
than drew me to his heart, where my
head had SO often lain, and said, in
cold. strange tones, so unlike the low
Ing words of welcome / was waiting
for:
Alice, what is this hear about nv
wife?'
Your wife, Mr.. Withers? During
which of my sleeping moments have /
been dignified to that title, or You
aspired to the authority of husband?"
ITO me. Alice, a promise made is a
promise kept, and from the day you
gave yourself to me have looked upon
you as my wife as solemnly as though
priest had already blessed our union.
You know full well my opinion of Mr..
Maynard. He is a man l would not |
permit to cross my threshold; yet DUR
ing my short absence he has been con-
stantly and publicly by your side. In
fact, has shown you attentions you had |
no right to receive
MIR. Maynard is particular friend |
of mine."I exclaimed. with flashing
eyes, slipping my hands from his clasp,
and permit me to say will no longer
listen to this harangue. No right to re-
'eivc ordinary courteous attentions from
gentleman! You strangely forget the
act that you call yourself such when
Tou dare address me thus. Good morn
ng, Mr.. Withers"
Stay, Alice! If spoke quickly, for
i've me. But it was SO hard TO hear
III this just as arrived home, hungry
or your welcom.. You know, dear.
here were so many aspirants for this
little hand sometimes can scarce be- 4
ieve in my own rare fortune. Are You {
ot glad to see me. Alice?" II
Glad? No. When / was glad Won I
emit all my happiness back into nv
wn heart, and made your first words 6
lords OF reproach and blame. have
one nothing to deserve either, and / v
'ould do the same again" Y
mot II you knew it gave me main.
Yes; because You have no right to 4
sel pain. fyou have no trust in me.
It us part" r.
IT - not q question of trust, NV 8
lice. But come, be my own sweet n
ri again and promise me to announce Q
ar engagement and thus put a stop r,
Mr.. Maynard's useless devotion" Il
mo. Mr.. Withers. 1 have seen
lough to know that with such a ma.
ire as l have this morning learned
,urs to be never could be happy. h
III return You your letters and your v
fes' and you will send me my letters y,
I'd picture. Hereafter we meet SIM "
y as friends" :"
And so we parted. He grew v.~ "a
lie when said it was all oyer-vb;,a \.
the lips with anger. suppose. What v.
nendish temper he must possess, and
nat an incorrigible tyrant of a hus. =,
M ne would have madel Well, it is .;
over now, l thought. l am very =,
a. although l wished the strange ~
In would go away from nv heart ~
q could not think what had caused
It was two weeks since cl.r nc
and | had met and parted. and T s
no not see him until the night of -,
8 Struthers party. He was LOOKING - -
80 handsome-evidently not pininr ~
secret Tor, as usual, he was the life
Inc party, and devoted himself to that -.
lily Irene Brooks Well, / did not -,
ar the willow either for that matter
Maynard was very devoted. and 10
ola friends rallied to my standard M
al their force He asked me once to na
ice with him-a square dance-but Ne Ne
hned' and he looked indifferently ~.
eved; and once when / was laugh, a'
ana talking with Mr.. Maynard. I 40
pas eye was On me, and threw add. s
al empressement into the nnthincs
= saying Yet was tired and no no