Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-09-15
FLORA'S REVENGE.
BY O r.

Il = y
| last summer with a sprained ankle?
DO you remember?
Uncle Ralph spoke carelessly, and
without observing the crimson flush
that spread itself over Floras olive
cheek.
| Guy Havenham," she answered, the
very words seeming to catch music
from her accents as she slowly spoke
the syllables. why do you ask?'
! He's married-that's all!'
Married. she was pale enough now.
1T isn't possible
Il don't see why 1t should not be pos
sible," answered Uncle Ralph dryly.
AT all events, here it is in the paper.
/ On Wednesday, at st. Antonius'
Church New York, Guy Havenham to
! Mary Alicia, only daughter of the late
| Parker Forbes, Esq.
He tossed the paper towards his niece
with the vague impression that all Wo-
men liked to read marriage notices, and
went out of the room. Flora took it up
and perused the brief lines over and
over again, with wild eyes, .; one
who gazes through the misty phantas-
magOria of a fevered dream.
When Flora HartOn returned from
her walk that afternoon with the sun
sinking behind the woods, she had
wrestled with her fate and conquered
it.
How pale you are, Flora" said
Bruce Osborne, a tall, handsome young
man, who was sitting in the room, APP
parently waiting for her.
Flora looked strangely lovely while
she stood there. And as Bruce looked
at her the purpose that had long been
! slowly forming itself in his mind be-
| came a cCnyiction-he would WOO and
win this woman for y wife.
And when he stood at the altar, with
Flora HartOn by his side, he knew moth
ing of the old love for Guy Havenham
which had smouldered itself away to
ashes in her heart. No: that was Flo
ra's secret. but she was not a woman
who was likely to forget.
II will live to be revenged upon him
yet" was the all engrossing reflection
of her heart. even as she took upon her.
self the vows which made her the wife
of another man.
Mrs. Bruce Osborne was the belle of
! the season the ..eXt winter in New
York, and when Guy Havenham re-
turned from his wedding trip, with his
! fair. daXen haired little wife hanging
! like a magnificent doll upon his arm,
! he felt a courteous thrill somewhere
about the region of his heart as he wac
presented to the reigning star.
1--WE are old friends" she said with,
out the slightest Indication of any emo
/ ton whatsoever.
"She has forgotten all about it,
thought Havenham.
But he never made a greater mistake
/ in his life Twenty years went by, and
still Flora did not forget!
Mamma, what shall I wear to-
night?"
Mrs Bruce Osborne looked up from
| her book with a mothers smile of fond
ness at the little fairy, who had danced
| into the room where she was reading.
"The white, dear, If you like, Juani-
/ ia" she answered. white becomes
you.
Juanita came close to her mother,
and stole one arm caressingly about
! Mrs Osborne's neck
Mamma" she whispered, 81 have
something to tell you"
What is it, cara MIA"
"He loves me-GeOrge Havenham."
Mrs. Osbornes eyes sparkled with
strange fire.
How do you know?'
"IIe told me so last night"
and what answer did you make
him?"
What could I say, mamma? l
made him no answer. for | had DTOmis-
ed you
"That was right, Juanita", almost
painted Mrs. Osborne, with the red
lights coming and going ftfully on her
cheek, that was right, my darling. He
is coming for his answer"
Eyes. mamma, tonight"
Tell him no" r.
Mammal
"Spurn his love- show no mercy upon
his heart but break it! Oh, Juanita,
for twenty)long years I have lived upon
the hope of this, and the hour of my
triumph has come at LAST!
"I will 90 as you say, mamma, but
Butt passionately echoed Mrs. Os-
borne. there are no butts, Juanita. This
has been my life's object"
And Juanita, perceiving the fevered
state of her mothers mind, forbore
from further remonstrance
IL was day or two subsequently to
this that a card was brought to Mrs.
Bruce Osborne in her bOudOir-the card
Of Guy Havenham."
"Show him up" was her brief re-
Spouse. and in a moment the old lovers
stood face to face.
Guy Havenham was tall and hand
some still. with dark, pleading eyes,
and only here and there a silver thread
marring the luXuriance of his ebon
locks Did he think of auld lang syne
as he stood there, looking into the un-
fashionable depths of Flora Osbornes
eyes?
Mrs Osborne" he said earnestly,
4 have come to speak to you on a sub
iect very near my heart-the welfare
Of our children"
Speak on. Mr. Havenham," she an
swered. with pitiless curiosity.
You cannot be unaware of the deep
attachment that my son has formed for
your daughter"
81 am not unaware or It.
"Juanita has refused him.
"Of that I am also aware
"And-excuse me if am laboring un-
Ger a misapprehension-but l am given
to suppose that she is acting under
your influence.
"There is no misrepresentation, sir.
sNIrs. Osborne" said Havenham pas
sionateIv. IF this goes on it will break
INV bov's heart. He loves herr
Mrs. Osborne curled her lip in cruel
stimulation of smile
what does it signify, the breaking
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