The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1898-03-24
TESTED.
BY BESSIE LOU BURGESS.

His eyes reved over the throngs in
search Of zone fair face, and at last
she came.
He saw the flash Of Joy that lit her
face as he bowed low over the fair hand
she extended. He saw, too, the fash
ing Of dusky eyes and the glitter of the
rubies upon her breast. Joan Monta-
gon, usually SO calm and self-possessed,
lost control Of herself when he turned
away, and with white lips and trembling
hands she moved away into small
apartment near her. 1t was deserted
and unlighted, save by the yellow
moonbeams falling aslant the floor.
'Joanp A tall, dark form stood in
the door way. 1t was FRANCHISE
Charmion. He came hurriedly toward
her, and all the love that had flooded
his heart upon seeing her standing so
white and silent before him, broke into
torrent Of passionate, loving words.
With one imperious, upheld hand,
she checked the flow of those thrilling
words.
"Wait," she said. "In one hour re-
turn to me and I will reveal to you a
secret that will change your love to
hatred"
Nothing can change it, he answer
ed, as he left her.
She looked strangely haggard when
she again entered the ball room.
Carl Hensted' S face lighted as he saw
her.
"Coms into the conservatory" he
whispered, drawing her hand to his arm.
81 have great secret to tell you. You
will hear nae, Joan?"
She trembled from head to foot, like
Gagged creature. Ah, these moments,
when we know that Fate's iren hand il
upon us-and we are pewerless! But
she followed him silently, until they
we're alens. the music from
the ball rSom grew dim and dreamy
they forget that ball was in progress,
and that Joan was hostess neglectfuI
of her duties at that moment.
The falling water Of fountain neal
by splashed nsrrily in its silver basin
The scent Of the flowers was all abou'
them.
"OA such night as this" he said
almost in a whisper, "Remeo and Julie
plighted troth. Do you remember
Joan? And that scene lives again to
night-for us. Joan, love you, jus
as Romeo loved Juliet, with love al
beundless as eternity, and as wender
full as the breaking of the dawn of lif,
upon the night Of deathl"
Her face was so frozen that he shud
dered.
"You love me? Why should ycu?'
she said impulsively, looking at hin
with eyes like child. 'T never trieC
to mike you. I never tried to win an.
mans love-"
''It is for that reason 1 love you," b
answered, simply. "You show me m,
uAwerthiness; other women seem t.
consider me an eligible When the,
pit their charms against me, I am onl
amused. Your face is the mirror of
lofty soul; it is for that love yoN, a
man never loved woman before!" An
then he paused, while the falling waite
rippled and sounded ON, and the glo1
Of a great gladness fell over them
"You have shown me what nobl
woman is" he went OH gently. 6
look for more than mere outward bear
ty in a woman, but how rarely / find il
A woman of pure heart and of pur
birth"
She turned suddenly, her hands out
stretched. With eyes like the hunte
fawn driven to bay, she answered broh
emily:
"Silence! I can bear no more. Com
with me and then tell me that your lov
is great!"
The cold, clear voice of Francois
broke in upon them.
"Madamoielle MoHtagon, I am q
your service. With glance of hatre
toward his rival, he followed them u
the winding staircases into an unuse
wing of the chateau that was almost i
ruins.
Pausing before a door heavily hur
with dark velvet, Joan, with one viii
hand holding back the crimson poetiel
and one extended toward the centre I
; the apartment, looked like an outrage
impress, with all the marks Of despa
upon her beautiful face.
The two men beside her, followir
: the gaze of her ssd:eyes, beheld sigl
!. that .aused great, involuntary shive
i Of disgust to shake them from hei
D to foot.
Y In the centre of the room, SO terrib
: out Of harmony with her surrounding
/ sat repulsive, half-clothed Indi
9 squaw. Her bleared, trsachereus ey
: turned suddenly upon the forms in t
: doorway. Drawing her blanket me
d clssely about her bare, copper-hu
n n1I u.sih Aonhlnaa nlnu L;