Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-08-31

"This, she said, after moments 81
lence, becomes really interesting. You
said something about leaving me forever;
but you intend, in no event, to leave this
evening, SUPPOSED"
No" said Eugene.
VERY WE'LL" she replied, bowling her
head in sign of dismissal, without offer
IN her hand; "we shall see each other
again"
"But when?"
@At an early day"
he thought. notwithstanding the past,
she REQUIRED time for reflection, little
terrified doubtless by the monster she
evoked; he grayely saluted her and de-
parted.
The next day. and on the three sue.
ceeding ones, he vGinly presented hlmselt
at her door
Mrs. Eliston was dining out or dress
ing.
It was for Eugene whole century OF
torture. One thought, which often DIS
quieted him, revisited him with double
poignancy. Cora did not love him. she
only wished 10 revenge herself for the
past, and after disgracing would laugh at
him. She had made him sign the con-
tract, and then. escaped him. In the
midst of these tortures of his pride, his
passion, instead of weakening, increased.
The fifth day after their interview he
did not GO to her house. He hoped to
meet her in the evening at the residence
of mutual friend, on Madison avenue,
where he usually saw her every Thursday.
This friend, Mrs. Louisa Morgan, was
connection of his mothers family, and
from his ear lest boyhood had been very
kind TO Eugene. She was a dow and
no longer young but beng We lthy, she
! had no difficulty in rendering herself and
her lone attractive.
She had no taste or inclination for re-
lig on, but affected S,elt liking for lit
erature and art. and every woek received
many distinguished authors and artists,
who pioued themselves on being free
| thinkers
Cora Elison had permitted herself tc
bo introduced by her husban !. because
she knew Eugene frequented the house.
On this particular evening the gat her
inc was small. Eugene had only arrived
n few moments, when he had the salts
faction of seeing his uncle, who had re-
| turned from Washington, and Mrs. Ellis
| ton enter.
She tranqnily expressed to him her re-
rret at not having been at homo the pre-
ccding day, but it was impo to hope
for a more decided explanation III circle
so,sma]l and und the yigilant eyes O.
certain ladies present
Eugene vainly interrogated her face
! II was as beautiful and cold rs usual.
His Anxiety increased; he would have
riyen his life at that moment for her Il
say ore word of love.
Mrs. Morgan liked tho play Of wit, a.
she had but little herself.
They played at her house such littl
games as wire then fashionable. Thos'
little games are not always innocent, a
we shall see
They had distributed pencils, pens, an
little packages of p0per-some OF III
PLAYERS sitting around large tables, an
some in separate chairs and scratche
mysteriously, in turn, questions ana an
swels.
During this time NJ. Ellision playe
whist with an elderly lady for partner
Cora did not usually take part In thes
games which fatigued her.
Eugene was therefore astonished to sc
her accept the pencil and paper o1ere
her >.
This singular;ty awakened his attentio
and put him on his guard.
He himself joined in the game, contrar
to his usual custom, and eventook charg
of the basket to collect the small notes
they were written.
An hour passed without any special II
cident.
The treasures of wit we're dispensed
The most delicate and unexpected ques
t;ons--such as what is loge?" DO yo
think that friendship can exist betwee
the sexes?" rs it sweeter to love or
loved?" succeeded each other with CORE
spending replies.
All at once Cora gave a slight scream
and they saw a drop of blood trickle dow
her forehead.
She commenced laughing, and shove
her little gold pencil-ca (Which had ape
at one end, with which she had scratche
her forehead in her abstraction.
The attention of Eugene was redouble
from this moment - the more so from
rapid and significant glance from Cor
which seemed to warn him OF an al
preaching event.
She was sitting little in shadow
one corner, in order to mediate more
% @ on questions and answers.
An instant later Eugene was passl1
around the room collecting notes. -.
She deposited one in the basket u
rinr another into his hand with the ca
Ike dexterity of her sox.
In the midst of these papers, whl'
each person amused himself with rea'
ing. Eugene found no difficulty in retail
inc without remark the clandestine not
It was written in red ink, little pal
but very legible, and contained the
words
Il telong, soul, body, honor, riches,
nv best beloved, Eugene Cleveland, 1ro
this moment and forever.
written and signed with the pu
blood of my veins, this 18Th NoYempe
1s8 CORA ELLIsTON. !"
, All the blood of Eugene Cleyelal
surced to his brain. cloud came ov
his ewes, he rested his hand on the ma
BILE table, then suddenly his face was co
/ cred with moral paleness. These sym
toms did not arise from remorse or feS
, his passion overshadowed all. He Il
, boundess Joy. lie saw the world at L
feet.
, CHAPTER XIV.