The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-05-03

the hand on his shoulder and the CHEEKY
voice at his ear;
"Deuced strange, Dale, but l haven't
-Ehl you have seen her!"
Latour finished abruptly as the other
raised his eyes. Something in them
spoke more than words, as Dale rose to
his feet; for the men stood with clasped
hands, silent, while the little clock
licked tediously through many seconds
The Creole spoke first.
you will believe me, dear old boy"
he said, "when tell You l am sorry for
this. You are better man than l am,
Dale; and she might have been happier
with you. But if she won't have the
worthy fellow she may the worthless;
SO my turn comes"
There was not one faint of selfshness
in the sorrow that spoke through Dale
Everetts eyes, How could he break the
news he had to tell?-news his friend
would receive so differently from him.
But it must be; SO he said, very gravely:
Neither of us has his turn old friend.
You nor can ever speak of love to Ben
ME Standish."
"What do you mean?" cried Latour.
Did she tell you she would not marry
me?"
"She did not. But-be a man and
bear the blow, as | did-she marries
Beverly Mason this very day~
The Creole staggered back, as if his
friend had struck him. Then he strobe
to the window. When he turned he
said hoarsely:
"Who told you? 1t is some lie!"
ut is the TRUTH" Dale answered firm
ly. ''She told me with her own lips"
Again Latour turned quickly to the
window, without word of reply; but his
friend saw the hand that rested against
the frame close on it with such grip
that the nails grew white.
Equally bitter, perhaps, was the strtg-
gle in the hearts of both men. Adrien' s
sensitive nature was perhaps more
shocked by its suddenness, but indomi-
table pride and stubborn will strove to
hide it even from his friend. Dale
Everett was torn by doubt whether to
disregard the woman's injunction, vio-
late his own implied pledge and betray
her secret. He knew Adrien so thor.
oughlv that he was sure hint of the
truth would send him to her, to make
J one effort for the happiness of both, were
she at the steps of the altar. Twice his
lips formed the words that would have
no ri Mt tn hafpri
: her awful step was taken for life, ant
l twice the words were pushed back int
: his throat by the echo CT her voice re
t peating:
Remember, trusted to your honor!
: Adrien Latour turned abruptly from
t the window, strobe to his friend ant
placed hand heavily upon his shoulder
j; The dark face had grown darker, an
It the voice was cold and cruel; yet h
turned aside his head as he said:
s $50! She sells herself as l would nc
sell one of my slaves! A woman Xix
d this has no heart-no self respect! Her
e is my hand on it; from this hour we d.
If spise herr
n But Dale drew back. The stern mar
le hood in him would not do injustice eve
lie to the woman whose act he condemne
t, so bitterly.
1t "Wait!' he said gravely. eve cal
s. not always read the working OF huma
er hearts. Remember the divine injun
ton, Judge not, that ye be not judged!'
10 Even as he spoke Miss Tabitha's no
IN was heard in the hall, as she returned
If the charge She entered the room vii
es furry of words, plunged at once in
It. many and complex explanations, an
,e, with much show Of mystery, told t
ad secret that was none to them, and 6
id signed their places at the coming Gel
mOnial
ly The painful absurdity of the situati
it was broken by the groom's arrival a
er the introductions to his party. N
he Mason proved to be dignified a
RS courtly man of the world, wearing
a half century lightly, but adopting no
5h of the nonsense of the old beau. /
ny manner in the trying ordeal was gu
perfect-self contained and deterrent
NJ to the spinster, frank and cordial to b(
'oI young men.
The latter bore the meeting each
re his own way for if there be truth in W
my the stimulant of suffering also brir
But from, ito hidden nlaces the reality of {
ces nature. Adrien passed through the
JIG PRODUCTION with such ceremonious co
tesy that only his Unborn grace savet
Try from being the reverse. Dale let
Ihu clear gray eyes rest full on Mr.. Masc
mo face, as though studying the man
my meath it, while he shook his hand fra
VI ly and said:
AS 81 offer you no congratulations,
Nel In presence of Il JOY so supreme as yo
10 must be mere words would seem cit
ART flat or intrusive. But | have known
'he ever since we were children, and
nSh has not made many like her!"
pre- Adrien heard the words with darl
sist inc f,ca and brolxe off abruntly the G
poi monplaces he was trying to say TO \
Lord. But Miss Van der Huysen's
nSe trance apropos was great relief, il
her interval always awkward on such o
-, sions-peculiarly so on this one.
ana was perfectly dressed and looked
her fresh and girl like as though her t.
well alone had occupied her thoughts
ana hours, and, fastening to greet the l
low corners, she still caught Everetts W
ing and their effect upon his friend.
arm With manner brightly graci
,reSt though perfectly quiet, she greeted
groom. He detained her a momei
clasp rich bracelet around the
wrist, with the words:
rlor, "Few men lind truer friends than
tant have been to me, Miss Edith, and
|, CO remember it was in your house /
=, - met my fate. She loves you, too, b
~ " than all other women. Wear this