The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-03-17
FRIEND, FIANCEE, FATE

lou won I marvel at IL, freu, Whc
you SEQ her. Pm so wrought UP with
anxiety to know that sho is mine bo.
yond all power to rob inc I'm h%onoyinS
and coaxing tho days to remember my
loyo and 20 quickly"
IAN power to rob you, did you say,
Del? What power do you think could
rob your"
"Only death, Fred. I'd rs o o OK
poet tho stars to cease shining as TO
think any earthly power could cauaO
her love either to change or die. II tho
gods aud luck boar mo safely ghe will
be mine for time and eternity
You believe. then, chat true love
docs not die, but goes beyond tho
graye-do you, Del2"
"Ies, true love is one oil tho impcr-
ishables, and | know lDta was assigned
10 me from tho formation OF the world.
People often get mismated, but I'll not
be so unfortunate" Prophetic words.
Just think" said Fred: "ono week
more and lose my old friend" Pro-
phctic words also.
"But she'll love you, Fred. You'll
spend your evenings with us, take Sun
day dinners, bc on hand Thanksgiving
and Christmas, and rejoice when you
see my happiness. Now sit down, and
don't interrupt me again, for Pm too
busy thinking OF my little sweetheart
to talk"
Frederick Hunter accompanied his
friend DGlavan Marley 500 miles to wit
ness his marriage with Lcta Whitley.
Fred was not prepared with all that ho
had heard, to meet 4 woman SO fair and
fascinating. No wonder Delavau Mar
10y was fairly insane with love! No
wonder he would hasten the ceremony
which would end suspense! Strange
feelings seized Fred Hunters heart in
the same moment that he came under
tho glances Of his friends ~tiancce, and
all the iacctious exubernnce and Con-
graduation which might have been ex-
pected from him failed. Thoughtful
reticence seemed to have seized him,
but he was eXclaiming inwardly: by
heavens, he shouldn't have had her il l
had seen her %tirst!"
An evil spirit lowered near, waved n
magic wand over his heart and mind,
and turned friendship to jealousy, to q
wicked desire to win tho love so soon to
stand at tho altar and assume the man
tic OF wiiehood.
As the three sat in Leta's parlor her
eyes etrayed now and then IRON her
betrothed TO another gaze fixed upon
her. She heard q voice in which there
was suppressed fcrver sudden born, her
bosom thrilled with q sweet and guilty
excitement and her beauty crimsoned
while it kindled q wicked flame where
friendships gentle and trusted light
had burned.
AL aclow with his Joy. Delavan ad-
mired in Leta the delicacy which made
her timid and reserved in n strangers
presence. Returning to their hotel
Dclaven spoke first: You do not ave
about my sweetheart, Fred; isn't she
beautiiul?"
Yes" Fred answered with strange
nonchalance; she's handsome and
you're lucky; but Pm tired, and you'll
excuse me if I keep my praises till to.
morrow"
Delavau, unsuspecting, gavo his friend
q slap on the shoulder, exclaiming:
odd fellow, you envy me! l under
stand YOU"
Delavan and Frederick called upon
Leta together the morning OF the
Wedding day. Fred again bore himself
so strangely Del feared the fair Leta had
not impressed him iavorably. He
wanted them 10 get acquainted and be-
come friends, and to this end ho lett
them OH the prcteXt, first. OF conversing
with Leta's parents in the library, aud
then OF returning to the hotel for 4 gift
sent to her which he had neglected 10
bring for delivery.
All, the ruin to which this opened the
way. Is love born matured, or does it
grow, led upon opportunity, sight and
knowledge? Is there n passion in the
world that wears the look and likeness
OF love but is fraudulent and danger
GUS? Let both men and women look
well 10 the answer.
Eye 10 eye, heart to heart, sat Della
vans friend and bride.eiect.
Frederick Hunters tongue loosed.
Turning full upon Leta he seized her
hand and spoke rashly, e%Xcitcdly:
Woman. I have fallen madly in love
with you! fIavo l been brought hero
to rob 4 friend? In tho moment | mot
YOU my heart burned, and it burns nov.
You must 10 ninel l speak quickly
but not rashly. There is no time to
losci Speak, woman! do l Offend"
Leta's eyes flashed, but not with
anger. Her heart beat, but not with
resentment.
"Oh, God" she exclaimed, trembling.
Tonight | am to marry Delavan Mar
ley! You asked me to desert him, 10
murder him? but
But what. woman? Speak! We
haven't q moment 10 lose! All! you
weep, but you do not repulse my sud-
den passion! l love you, YOU shall not
marry Delavan Marley tonight! You
are mine! Break with my friend! bet
ter that than break your hearth"
What shall l do?" Gasped L.eta.
"What can | do?"
"Say that you will love me, Leta, and
| will tell you what to do! Speak! Say
quickly that this marriage, which
heaven intervenes TO prevent, shall not
60 on! Let the world gasp and eSclaim,
Horrible! Hove you, and love can not
bow 10 friendship! Speak, woman!"
81 love you!" Leta spoke, eXcitedly,
and fell against the bosom oil u traitor.
liark! \ step in the hall! \ man
stands in the doorway, his eyes wild and
staring, his heart beating with sudden
woe. What II scene greets him! Is his
reason gone? Leta, his promised bride,
in the embrace Of another! Other lips
than his pressing burning kisses upon
her beautiful mouth!
Lost in the ectasy OF this unnatural
situation, Frederick Hunter did not see
or hear his friends approach. He was
aroused from his frenzy OF bliss by hear
inr The words. nRv thu rn1sl Mhnk