Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1899-02-15
THE WRONG CARD.

/ SIX ll1oulllS. i ne idW Yer, hoNt'''' ""'
In love. and dreaded 10 leave the field
free 10 his many rivals.
As he walked along. he pictured him
self in Il certain pretty home uptown.
laying his love and luere at the feet Of
charming woman, who. long ago, had
come to be an essential part of his ex-
lstence.
While he was thinking over the stu
alton and hurrylng homeward, he was
hal He'd with business-like: "H0, FAIR;
| want to speak To you moment
Turning about he faced the speaker,
friend of his junior partner: and in
few minutes they were deeply engaged
In II discussion OF some abstrnse ques-
ton concerning Il case which was then
interesting great many lawyers.
When the two parted the one who
had hailed Farr handed the latter a
card with request that he would give
II 10 Somerton, the junior partner OF
the firm OF "Farr x Somerton." In the
| hurry of parting Farr took the card
without looking mt II. and only after
he had reached his residence his mind
| still full OF the matter they had dis
cussed. did he think to glance mt the
bit of pasleboard. Ii should have borne
certain memoranda which Somerton
| desired: but was, however. quite
blank save for the engraved name OF
the owner. With n slight smile at the
others carelessness lie tucked the card
in his pocket.
Supper over. he betook himself 10
pipe and slippers. Then, lounging com
fortably in a big armchair before the
study fire, he gave himself up TO the in
terrupted reflections of the afternoon.
As n result of his cogitations before he
retired letter had been written. adj
dressed TO Miss Margaret Lahore.
In 1t Miss Lahore was informed that
| he would call the following evening on
an urgent matter The letter. perhaps.
was Il trihe stiff and businesslike. but
surely could not help being clear to a
woman SO. at least, thought Farr,
and he went TO sleep that night to
| dream of n gracious woman and n sue
cessful suit.
The business OF the next day put an
end TO any further air castles for the
time being. but when evening came he
lost no time In hurrylng whittier the
letter had gone. Arriving there, ring
brought the maid to the door-a new
maid-Farr noticed. With his thoughts
on the coming interview. 1t was only In
II mechanical way that he gave her his
card and asked to see Miss Lahore.
A few moments waiting. and then the
girl returned To say. in a well-bred
voice, that Miss Lahore had an imme-
date engagement and begged to be ex-
cused.
Somewhat daZed by what he consid-
cred rebuff, Farr left the house.
Once more In his own rooms he con
trlved. within an hour or two, by the
aid of his pipe. 10 put himself in a
mood which played havoc with senti-
ment.
An early train the next day carried
him rapidly away from his home and
the woman who. few hours earlier.
had been all In all TO him. Now. how
ever. lie thought he had convinced him
self that she was not worth the WOO
ing. Yet every single day OF the next
half year had Its fun measure Of bit
terness. sourlng even the great sue
cesses he met with. Not single night
but found him YEARLY praying for
sleep 10 drive away the vision of
proud. sweet woman who so persist
emily haunted him. Sometimes he wear
led of both himself and the world but
he was obliged TO live and meet his fell
low-men, even If woman had scorned
his love.
Time passed and the conclusion OF
his mission allowed him to return
home. But little more than six months
from the day when Margaret Lahore
hsd made life seem so gloomy TO him.
he was once again in his native town
On the day of his return Somerton IN
sisted that he should dine with him at
the earliest possible opportunity, and.
of course. tired though he vas, and de-
slrous Of nothing beyond peace and
Nuitt. ne WAS
10 accept the invitation so warmly
pressed upon him. Accordingly that
evening found him on the way to the
Somerton home.
lie must have forgotten that Mrs.
Somerton and Miss Lahore were the
most intimate friends. or, perhaps. II
was natural to start when he found
himself face TO face with the latter in
the Somerion parlor. That he did start
was Il fact quickly detected by Miss
Lamore-a fact also which naturally
Increased her embarrassment.
Judging from your appearance. Mr..
Farr,' said she. your health has not
been much benefited by the Western
trip
Il am afraid not was his answer;
1.-THE work was hard. and did not go
to 1t in the best of spirits" This last
with Il glance intended to be full OF
meaning.
She saw the look, and, wondering at
1t, colored
ssVnt, l.nt aha