The National tribune., 1896-05-07

THIS CUPBoARD?"
| posed to her and been accepted Filled with
| JOY, lost no time in obtaining her fathers
sanction, and the same night which saw me
accepted by Lillian also saw me solemny
received as future son-in-law by the General
went home considerably elated-Gen. Rex
worthy had been kindness itself, and the
remembrance of my sweethearts bright eyes
and the anticipation of all the JOY TO come
| made me feel in very high spirits. / ran up
to the room which M0ntero and myself used
as study. My partner was there, burning
the midnight oil, and, S usual, deep in his
ancient books. He looked up as | entered
Congratulate pe, Ferdinand / cried,
/ am going to be married.
90 Married? slid he Il did not even
know you were engaged. And who is the
! Iady?'
"' Miss Rexworthy.'
"I cannot describe the change which
came over him rs | uttered the words He
started from his chair aud leaned over the
| desk, glaring at me. For an instant all the
refinement seemed to die away out of his
face, and / saw before me nothing but the
features of a savage dark, passionate, with
awful feelings blazing from the glittering
| eyes.
j started back
! "'Great Heaven!' | cried are you i'll,
Ferdinand?'
He sank back in his chair and passed
his hand across his forehead, as if awaking
from dream. When lie looked up again
his face had resumed its usual appearance
but the color was gone from it, and his lips
looked strangely drawn and pale.
No. he said, hOarsely. No; am all
right again. And you are going to marry
Miss Rexworthy?'
Something in his voice made me observe
him more closely. Then it suddenly flashed
upon me-he loved her himself / went up
and laid my hand on his shoulder.
Ferdinand ] said see how it is |
am very sorry; but she has accepted me.
You must fight ii down, my boy
He shook off my hand with an impatient
gesture.
She couldn't marry both of u.s. he said.
congratulate you.'
With that he turned to his books again,
and presently l left the room. As opened
the door looked at him and saw that the
! same awful expression had come into his face
again. / went downstairs feeling strangely
uncomfortable. Ii was not pleasant 10 think
that Ferdinand Montero was in love with
my future wife.
lime went ODs FROM lnaC DlgnC my
partner made no further reference to his
feelings with regard TO Miss Rexworthy.
He did his work, pursued his studies. went
into society as usual, and gave 10 sign. But
at times ] saw him filled with thoughts
which obviously did not refer to the work he
had in hand, for there WAS far-off look in
his eyes which betokened other ideas. And
very often when we were reading or writing
N I nj I,
to find him gazing into vacancy with that
savage look OH ms features which had alarm
ed me so much when / broke the news of
my engagement 10 him. AT these times /
seriously began to consider the advisabiity
OF bringing our partnership to an end
Ferdinand was a model business associate,
and we had always been on the very best of
terms, but it seemed 10 me that it would be
impossible for us to remain our former
footing alter my marriage. i could plainly
see that his love for Lillian Rexwor, hy was
stronger than ever, and knew his passion
ate nature well enough to feel sure that
nothing would make him cease to cherish
some secret thoughts Of her. / determined,
however, to wait awhile before coming to
any definite decision on the point
I'VE were to be married soon after the
Christmas following our betrOthal, aud the
time soon passed aud brought 10 within
a week of the wedding day. For some little
time Fcrdin had seemed strangly absent
minded, and on several occasions / had
entered the work-Toom TO find him talking
TO himself in low voice i thought he was
i'll, and pressed him TO go away for a change
OF air and scene. To tellthe truth, thought
il would be well if he was away at the time
Of the marriage. He, however, would not
hear Of leaving home, aud reminded me that
/ myself should presently be away Oh my
honeymoon, and that his presence could
not be dispensed with. / was forced to
| acquiesce, but felt very anxious about him.
More than once / found him glaring at me
with a vindictive expression in his dark
eyes. and / began TO fear that he harbored
| some idea of revenge. / was half-minded
| to speak TO him OH the subject, but eyentu-
ally abandoned the idea. i found it inn
possible 10 harbor any doubt of him; we
had been such close friends, and almost
brotherly in our relations.
"On Christmas Eve Ferdinand and / were
| invited 10 dance at the house of lady who
WAS great friend Of the RexwOrthys. 1t
was not often that we could get TO "A social
function together, and once there we were
| always liable to interruption in the shape of
an urgent message from some patient or
other. This event, however, was specially
given in honor Of my approaching ma:ri.rge.
! and both Ferdinand and myself felt it in
cumbent upon us to attend. When the time
| came / was glad to see him in readiness to