The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-02-05


Miss Murray was none of your senti-
mental heroines who dissolve into
sudden grief. There was plenty Of
heartbreak in the recesses of her inner
being, but you saw no outward traces
of it. She went through her school
duties just as usual, although her
heart felt cold and dead within her,
like a lump of ice, and the whole
world seemed changed. But when
she got home, she went straight to her
desk, took out certain little journal,
gilt-edged, and tied with ribbon, in
whose pages she had written out her
heart. Deliberately she inscribed the
one word, "Finis," underneath the
last entry, and tearing it into score
of pieces, opened the window and
flung it out to the keen February air,
like flock of fiuttering doves.
"And now for my revenge" said
Kate, quietly to herself. "Mr. Apple
ton Arkwright shall discern that I
have not forgotten all the delicate lit
tie attentions he has shown me of late.
He shall learn, also, the truth of the
good old rhymes:
''It is we'll to be merry and wise;
1t is well to be honest and true;
1t is we'll to be off with the old love,
Before you are on with the new!"
Mrs. Hayes had spoken the truth
when saying that Patience Eldridge
was not pretty. She was dark, with
black tresses and great wistful eyes
a girl with face that interested, but
had none of the Hebe bloom and
freshness which attracts the masculine
mind as general thing She sat by
the table in her prettily furnished
private parlor, at the Moreland House,
looking at some rare canoes which
had been sent in for inspection by a
famous jewelry house, while Mrs.
Hayes eagerly expressed opinions,
and Mr.. Arkwright, bending in true
lover-like attitude over the little bride
elect, awaited her decision.
''For 1 know, love-" he said, THAT
your artistic taste is simply perfect. |"
Patience smiled and colored, and
her dark eyes flashed into positive
beauty for the moment. 1t is passing
sweet to hear fiattering words from
one we love.
At this instant there was a tap at the
door.
''Oh," said Mrs. Hayes, with q
knowing little nod, ''it's my other
guest! An old school friend of mine,
Patience, dear-a friend and acquaint-
ance of yours, Mr.. Arkwright. Come
in, Kate Miss Eldridge"- the door
slowly opened and superb girl, in
black silk and rose-colored ribbons,
sailed in like queen-"allow me to
present Miss Murray. Mr.. Arkwright,
I don't think you need an introduction.
My dear"-to Kate, as Patience rose
with welcoming smile, and Mr.. Ark
wright turned red and pale in a breath
-"who is this servant with a basket?
1t is some mistake, 1 think"
''No mistake at all, Mrs. Hayes.
Pray allow the man to enter, said Kate,
regally, motioning for the basket to
be set down at the heiress' feet, and
then dismissed the porter with Sec
ond imperious gesture. "Miss Ell
bridge, I believe you are to be married
to this gentleman. AS his wife-ex-
pectant, I make over to you all the
presents he has bestowed upon me
in the course of the last six months.
There are eighteen faded bouquets, a
pearl opera glass, glove box, three
rings, Russia. leather fan, q photo
graph album, a silver card case, six
volumes of poetry, gold bouquet
holder, O bracelet and point-lace
handkerchief. OF course, they are of
no further use to me- am only sorry
that I cannot return to you the tender
hand-pressures the expressive chances
and one kiss bestowed during moon
light walk in the park about six weeks
ago."
Mr.. Appleton Arkwright was tall,
muscular fellow, lacking not much OF
the regulation six feet in height but
he seemed to shrivel and grow small
and contemplate, as he stood there,
under the scorching fire of Kate MUIR
rays grand eyes.
A cold sweat broke out in beads on
his brow. He pulled uneasily at his
waxed moustache.
Patience Eldridge turned to him.
sIs this true?" she asked.
He cleared his throat with an effort.
"I--that is--a young lady has nc
right TO suppose that because"
"D!d yaa give her these shlass' ]