The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-11

mine. But, before heaven, I believe
she liked me well, and IL she had only
not worn that other fellows ring
confound himl might have won her
for my own"
'Ah, am very glad she is married
to another man. There's a chance for
Blanche yet" cried Mrs. Monroe, with
q sigh of relief.
but she isn't married yet. mother,
for made her swear solemnly to send
me wedding cards when it came of.
For, long as she is single, there's
some hope. you know. And I swear
that I'll marry no one until my little
beauty is lost to me forever"
''And then-then would you have
Blanche?" eagerly.
''As well her as another, since
should have no heart for any but my
lost love-" gloomily.
The weeks slipped away, and one
morning, when the mail came in. his
mother cried, eagerly:
wedding cards for you, Val Per
haps it is that grill" and she could not
keep the joy out of her voice and eyes
He tore the cards from the envelope,
with nervous fingers.
''Great Heavenl the cruel blow has
fallenr' and he staggered to his seat,
his hand before his eyes.
''Why, what is this?" she cried, ex-
aiming his cards. ''Val, it is the
girl at Hazelmere, Blanche's cousin.
pretty little Bessie GrayI'
''That is her name" he sighed.
heavily.
''Oh, Val, remember your promised
If this girl married her betrothed, you
would marry BlancheI'
Yes" he answered, with the
ponniaSCanaa Of 5asnaiY-
81 am SO glad, so gladI Val, shall
you go to the wedding?''
eyes, will see her lost to me for
everl Then, I will bring Blanche
back as my betrothedl" he answered,
with the recxlessness of a torturing
despair for his blighted Iove-dreau-
He arrived at the pretty Southern
homestead in the morning of the day
set for the wedding. A laundering
servant took his card when he asked
for Blanche, and sent him into the
conservatory.
-'She's in there, cutting flowers. for
the brides bouquet"
Some ono was helping his cousin,
and he paused at the sound of voices,
and peeped through a thicket OF
blossoming pink azalias.
Blanche's companion was a young,
fne-lool1ing man. He cried out, in q
passionate voice:
blanche, this is cruel work for us
bothi Oh, if these flowers were only
for you, my darlingT"
'Hushl you must not say such things
to me-you, who will be married to
Bessie Gray to-nightl'
s'Not if you forbid it. Blanche, for
my fate lies in your hands. An. poor
little Bessie, loved her dearly till
you came, but the glanoes of your
eyes drove me mad, and my love
turned from her to you Do not up
braid me, dearest, for surely I have
read your heart Alright. in your tender
blue eyes, and you love me as well as
do you. This marriage would make
us both very unhappy. Oh, Blanche,
let US fly together before this fatal
bond is riveted that sunders us for
ever. We can be married quietly in
Washington, and go abroad"
''Stop," she cried, in clear, ringing
tones. 'You insult me, Perry Grandi-
son! Why, have never dreamed of
loving you'll 1 only amused myself
with your vanity, because you hap
pened to be the only man about I
shall never marry any one but my
handsome cousin, Valentine Monroei
AS for you, sir, you must keep your
troth with BessieI'
81 will, for despise you now that
know you were only flirting with me,
and but he turned with a start,
for the outer door of the conservatory
opened, and a petite figure entered,
the dark curly head held high, the
mignon face very pale, the tiny white
hand holding ont a pretty pearl ring.
''Take your ring, Perry Grandson,
and may God forgive you for your fall
sity," cried Bessy, her voice shaking
with stiied tears.
''Oh heavens, Bessie! you have heard
all But forgive me, L.pray you dear
est, for 1 was caught by a sirens
wiles. 1 only fancied 1 loved her,
at the discovery of her falsity, my
heart turned back to you with a
warmer love-"
''And despise your she replied,
scornfully. There will be no we'd
ding tonight"
''Ah, Bessie, don't say that rashly,"
cried yearning voice, and Valentine
Monroe stepped from his concealment
and took her hand. Il, too, have
heard all, and 1 rejoice in this craven's
falsity, since it gives me another
chancel Oh, Bessie, when I cOurted
you, by the sea, last summer, you ale
most owned that, but for a prior en-
gagement, you might have liked me.
Can't you love me now? can't 1 take
Grandison's place to-night?"he prayed
earnestly.
'Ye-es, for know shall love you
better than ever could have loved
Perry Grandson" she murmured,
blushingly, and let him slip his ring
m bor 1iftlA hand