The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-25
A HAPPY REUNION.


of a we'll known author, whose pretty lit
tie wife was distinguished artist. Every
one liked to go there.
Every one, did say? Nay, there were
two people on earth to whom the very
thought of that place was an agony.
One was the Rev. Adam Powersco urt,
the most successful preacher of the day,
a scholar a gentleman and favorite with
all who knew him. In public he was at
tentive and courteous to all, but he es-
chewed society. He never visited ladies,
and he did not go to Hartland House.
The other person to whom I refer had
been beauty and a belle ten years before
the opening of my story. She was hand
some woman still and as yet unmarried,
which was entirely her own fault. She
was Evangeline Parke, the only sister of
Mrs. Hartland, and that lady contrived a
dinner party, to which Mr.. Powerscourt
was invited.
Seven O'Clock came, and the guests were
grouped in the pretty drawing room.
Evangeline, looking very pale but beau
tiful in her evening dress of white silk,
with cluster of roses in her jetty hair,
stood near the open window, talking to
several of her old friends, when the last
conner was announced-the Rev. Adam
Powerscourt, who came little late.
$50 glad to see you," said Mrs. Hart
land, with beaming smile. "Evangeline,
my dear!'
Mr.. Powerscourt started as he heard the
name. The little lady looked up at him.
'Eva, DEAR said the hostess, Mr..
Powerscourt will give you his arm. You
can renew your old acquaintance while we
are at dinner"
Neither of the two spoke or looked at
each other. The gentleman offered his
arm, the lady rested the tips of her fingers
upon it, and SO they fell into the process
sion, unnoticed except by Mrs. Hartland
and her husband, who gave each other a
rougish glance as they passed.
The moment the ladies left the dining
room Evangeline managed to escape from
them, and, fastening into the conserva-
tory, sank down upon a seat beneath an
orange tree, and, hiding her face in her
hands, began to take herself to task for
her weakness.
Some time passed away. Grown calmer
at last she rose to rejoin the company in
the drawing room.
But before her stood the Rev. Adam
Powerscourt, the usual grave composure
of his manner gone, as, with eager glances
and outstretched hand, he arrested her de-
parture
lone moment he said. ''Had I
known of your return from Europe-had
I dreamed that should meet you here-I
would not have come today. But, since
we have met, may I ask and will you an
sWer one question:
"What is it?'' she asked coldly
"Ten years ago loved you. love you
still, if that is all. But ten years ago
dared to tell you SO, as I should hardly
venture to do today Why did you give
no answer to my appeal?"
''Mr. Powerscourtl' she stammered,
| looking at him strangely.
sit was not kind of you, to say the
least" he went on vehement1y. ga man
pays a woman the highest compliment he
can offer when he lays his heart and hand
at her feet. If she does not wish to accept
him, she should at least deign to tell him
SO, Miss Parke.''
"Mr. Powerscourt, I know nothing
| whatever of thisl How was it? How did
| it happen? Tell me all nowl' she, said in
an agitated tone of voice.
'Miss Parke, ten days before your de-
| parture for Europe 1 wrote you a letter
| asking you to be my wife,
ITO whom did you deliver itP''
tTo your most intimate friend, Miss
| Grayson, who promised to give it to you
| within the hour. To that letter you re-
turned no answer. 1 waited ten days.
( And then heard that you had sailed for
! Europe
| "Oh,' she cried, looking at him with a
smile, 81 would have answered your let
ter, but it never reached me-
"What?''
81 never saw it. 1t was never given to
me. never knew that it had been writ
| ten till this moment
''Miss Parkel''
| He stood a moment lost in utter aston
| ishment. Then certain looks and tones
| on the part of another lady during the
! past ten years flashed suddenly across his
| memory. A hot flush rose to his brow.
He took step forward and caught the lit
tie hand that was not drawn away.
''Evangeline through the treaohery Of
an artful and designing woman I have
suffered horribly for ten long years. Will
| you not reward me now? II that letter was
| She looked at him with her heart in her
eyes.
Answer me-"
az really think I should have to say
| yes,'' she murmured.
| And the next moment she hid her hap
py, fearful eyes upon his broad breast.
Mrs. Hartland looked discreetly into the
conservatory at this critical moment and
retired the next unseen. She was the life
and soul of the party that evening an6
kept her guests away from the door of the
conservatory as zealously as if the plague
| had been lurking there.
| But when the reconoiled lovers came
out into the common world once more, she
stole up behind her stately sister and whis
| pered with a saucy smile, adam anC
| Eve
Evangeline kissed her by way of reply
| And the modern Eden which the Rev
Adam and his wife inhabit has as yet ne
trail of the serpent among its blooming
6owers.-New York News.
The Kind of Man Wanted.
inn