Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-10-21

and had a future before him. / also
pursued with some eagerness the phan-
tom OF hope, and we confided in each
other concerning the cut and fit OF our
coming laurel wreaths.
Lester was engaged TO a girl with the
air and direct frankness Of child, and
eyes forty-seven fathoms deep. l had
looked into them and always felt like
drawing back a step or two when did.
Her eyelashes looked to me like rushes
on a river bank that was likely to cave
in. She was devoted to Lester, and he
well, whenever we met | had girl
served up in every possible style and
eyes for dessert. | envied him his buoy
ant happiness, and encouraged him In
his belief that the earth was made for
her to inhabit.
There was no nonsense and very lit
tie romance about Lester. He was in
tensely practical, and when he called
on the girl he talked about his business
and the architecture and drainage OF
the house they were to build. 1t seemed
to me, for safety's sake, he should have
flnity and those things. 1t occurred to
my mind that those eyes were out after
matter of that sort.
The wedding day was set and rush
of engagements kept me too busy TO see
much Of Lester until three or four days
before the time. | was to act as best
man, and one afternoon ran down to
his rooms to sec him about the ar
rangements. | overlook him on the
street and we walked down together.
He carried in his hand a bunch Of let
tetrs he had lust received by mail.
Lester opened his door and turned on
the light.
Tumble those things out of the
rocker, he said. land excuse my glanc-
ing over this mail"
He quickly drew out OF the bunch the
square white envelope | knew he was
most anxious to find, They used to
write to each other every day. 1t was
so long from each night to the next, at
which time they were together.
lit a cigar, sat down and waited.
heard the tearing of the envelope and
the rustic of its contents as he unfolded
it, Then there was such long silence
that l looked up. Lester was staring
at the letter in his hand with a face
white as chalk and look upon it like
that of an animal when it dies.
started up.
What T." | began.
Lester tossed me the letter.
1t was from the girl.
l made out Of the scrawling, sloping
characters that she had married an
other man that afternoon. There were
few vague excuses and regrets that
only accumulated the horror of the bare
fact.
tried to say something.
"Old man." / said; "er-you must
you know-bear up-she's-you know
Lester didn't hear me- He straight
ened up and held his hand high above
his head
"False!" he cried, "Oh, God! false!
Infinite and all powerful Ruler of the
universe, is love but another name for
lies. and faith but mockery!"
Lester" ! said, listen to me. It's
hard. know. but"
Eyes with Heavens own light In
them" he went on, with his arm still
raised; lips that seemed the dwelling
place of truth-heart from which |
thought angels might have learned 10y
atty and love-soul that seemed whittier
than the robes of saints!-honor is but
rag and constancy DEVILS lie."
Somebody knocke at the door and l
sprang toward 1t. Lester opened a
drawer to his table and fumbled in it.
A man had brought a package for
Lester. 1t was the girls presents re-
turned. While | was closing the door
Lester got his pistol and put the ball
straight for his heart l knelt in the
smoke and raised his head. A brief
CLEAN of his old quizzical, philosophical
humor came into his eye.
Frank" he said, with a faint smile
"did you hear me get off my stage talk ?
You were-right-ab out-that-aft
ALL"