Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1899-11-04

.-Wonderful, indeed But who !. the
fortunate winner of such a prize ?''
"A Spanish girl, whom he met
abroad. His last picture, about which
every one is raving. is said to be her
counterpart"
Such was the idle conversation, at an
evening party. three months later,
which fell upon Nellie Rivers listening
ear.
She had seen the picture of which
they spoke. The iovely-painted face
rose once more before her-the half
laughing mouth, the delicate nose. the
passionate. luminous eyes, the hair
ripping in dark waves over the low,
white brow. making the perfect, be-
witclfng whole.
And this was the meaning of his in
difference. when she would have made
atonement for the PASTOR the folly
of girl. who did not know herself,
and who had learned the lesson only
through four years of bitter suffering,
of which this was the end.
dreaming. Miss Nellie, and alone,
What does this mean?"
1t was his voice which broke upon
her reyerie, his eyes resting on her,
from whom, at any cost, she must hide
the truth.
Il am growing old" she answered,
lightly. Like yourself. / have put
away childish things. though unlike
you, / have not assumed fresh respon-
sibilities, upon which. by the way, l
believe you to be congratu iated,
although you hardly deserve it for
keeping such secret from your
friends
You speak in enigmas. Of what do
you Speak?
''If so, it is a Spanish enigma. and
painted in very lovely characters, how
ever cabalistic they may be-"
"Oh!" sudden light breaking in
upon him, you speak of my picture.
And does rumor give her to me as my
bride? L am indeed. then, open to
your congratulations. But come; as
L am not yet a benedict, may L not
have this waltz?
And this is my revenge?" thought
Thornton May, as few hours later
he sat alone in his bachelor apart
ments, moodily surveying the dying
embers in the CRATE. Il, who fancied
( her voice could no longer thrill, or her
beauty move me, have but riveted the
chains / thought struck off from me
forever. Tonight how indifferently
she congratulated me upon my sup
posed engagement! Had things been
different, how charmingly my pretty
model might have helped out my plan!
L will put the ocean again between us,
ere, in my weakness, l once more give
her the right to mock me-
"Going away. Mr.. May? Have you
tired so soon of your old friends that
you must desert them? But L forgot
some one is waiting for YOU"
In spite of herself thrill of glad
ness rang through the girls tone. She
had known that this must come, yet
the shock was none the less keen.
YES" he answered. Il must once
more say goodby, but this time, Miss
Nellie, / hope YOU will add Godspeed.
1 have not forgotten our last parting.
though L hope my folly has long
ceased to be remembered. You We're
right. 1t was boys presumption,
and L must thank you for my lesson"
This was almost more than she could
bear. For moment tears shimmered
in the dark eyes. a sob rose in her
throat, but she answered bravely:
1T was L who would rather ask
your pardon for the idle vanity of a
girl who knew not the meaning of her
own words, but who through them has
been the only sufferer. Goodby, Mr..
May, and Godspeed!"
She the only sufferer? What could
she mean?
For a moment a wild hope crossed
his mind, to be extinguished the next,
as he glanced into the calm face and
the eyes from whence all traces of
tears had fled, but at the hall door, a
moment later, he paused.
He would return, to disabuse her
mind of this idle folly as to his en-
gagement. So, again crossing the hall,
and mounting the stairs. he stood
upon the threshhc Id of the room he
had left short time before. But,
oh, how changed!
Down upon her face lay the figure of
the girl who had haunted him all these
years, while sob after sob racked ner
frame.
''Nellie." he said. and at his voice
she sprang in an instant to her feet.
How dare you?' she cried. ''How
dare you come back? Did you want
an added triumph? Was it not enough
to taunt me with the past. to show me
how gladly you would recall it, but
that you should add this to the tale
year will pour into the ears of your
Spanish bride9"
Impetuously. eagerly. the words
burst from her trembling lips, he to
whom they were addressed standing
transfixed.
= His revenge was in his hands at last.
The moment had come to mock her as
she had Knocked him; but surely the
light growing in his eyes had no mock
ing ray, as he clasped the sobbing girl
close to his heart.
us this true. my darling?" he said.
sand has our game been cross-pi:T-
poses all this weary time? Oh. Nellie,
,1r;Io xxo,,ll haSea Eanf mo silent