The star. (Aberdeen, S.D.) 1891-1898, 1894-01-18
4 MANS REVENGE.

StOuSu nave lever SpoAcA w AAAA'
The very mention of his name is hate
full to me, so I wish you would never
speak Of him to me-" and Vera Thomas
paused GREATNESS after her vehement
outburst and looked al the man loung-
ing in careless ease on the veranda.
But Vera" he protested, lazily,
"Jack isn't such bad fellow. He's
handsome, rich and young. What more
do you want?"
Lawrence Raper," Vera answered
earnestly, "once for all, I tell you I
hate him, because-well because-and
now don't let us talk of him. Are you
} going to the tennis tournament this at
terneon?' .e
After making arrangements for the
afternoon Lawrence took his leave and
sauntered slowly along the dusty road.
So engrossed was he in his thoughts
that he heard or saw nothing until he
4. was aroused by hand laid on his
shoulder and CHEEKY voice saying,
'Well, old fellow, are you asleep?'
and turning, looked into the tanned
face of his chum, Jack Williams Much
to Jacks surprise Raper burst out into
peals Of hearty laughter. Jack regard
ed his friend suspiciOusly for q mo-
meEt, then exclaimed: look here, old
man, where have you beenW
"At Vera Thomas" Lawrence an
swered, and another peal, heartier than
the first, disturbed the summer air.
"Say, what's the joke? Don't stand
there like an idiot, but out with it!'
Thus counseled, Lawrence proceeded
to tell Jack all that Vera had said OF
him. A deep flush mounted to Jacks
cheeks and an ugly light came to his
eyes as he said: 2"
$50 the very mention Of my name
is hateful to her is it? BY Jove, I'll
make her regret that she ever said that
But come along. We mustn't waste
time" and catching hold of Lawrence's
arm he started down the road. But
Lawrence, who regretted having told
Jack, hesitated and said:
''Look here, Williams, what are you
going to dow
do? shall mount my charger and
dashing up to the princess castle
shall call on her to retract what she
said or will raze her ancestral halls
and carry her off to captivity. NOW,
will you come along"
stood in the parlor of the Thomas
home. leaning against the mantel, his
eyes resting on the girl crouching be-
fore the fire, watching the play of the
LIGHT on her soft hair, rounded cheeks
and dropping figure, cursing himself
in his heart for his falseness to her.
For he had been false, guilty OF
something for which he could never
forgive himself, and she-ah, heaven!
what would she think? What would
she say when she knew? 49,
His mind recalled the events OF the
last five months; his first conversation
with Jack about Vera; then Jacks IN
PRODUCTION to her, followed by the most
marked attention and admiration on
his part. and. through it all, while the
hot blood flushed his cheeks, Lawrence
recalled the condolences he and JACK
had exchanged. he telling Jack all that
Vera said of him, Jack repeating with
great glee all the conversation he had
with the innocent girl who. alas! trust
ed them both. Only the night before
Jack had said, with an odd look In his
handsome eyes:
"Our little comedy is drawing to
close. Only two more acts remain"
And Lawrence had responded. some
what anxiously:
"And the actors? What is to become
Of them?"
Jack had answered with short, I'M
pleasant laugh and turned away.
ooh" Lawrence thought, IF could
but forget! Would to heaven Gould
live these five months over, again!
Lawrence" soft voice broke in on
his nlusing, IT have something to tell
you. You have been my dear cid friend,
more than brother to me, ever since I
can re MEMBER"
Vera rose and came to him, laying
her hand softly on his arm He did not
look at her, but gazed moodily at the