The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-05-23
A man OF ACTION.


Within him a fierce struggle between
the brain and the heart was in prog
ress. He employed every scheme that
he was aware of to court or compel
sleep without success.
Suddenly the truth dawned upon
him. like flood of soft warm light.
He was in love. The love of his life,
compared With which all his past loves
were mere idle fancics. The battle was
over. John Desmond, 80, lawyer, ath-
lete, man of the world, was conquered.
Being a man of action, Desmond no
sooner acknowledged to himself that
he really was in love with Kate Evans
ton than he resolved to marry her at
the earliest possible day.
Kate Evanston was seated at the pf-
ano in the drawing room of Mrs. Sauls-
bury's beautiful home, where she was
employed as companion to the lady of
the house. The rich light of middle
May evening peryaded the place.
Tier fingers were softly bringing
back memories of "Erminie" and other
Casino delights as her thoughts trav-
eled back over the past.
After a time she arose from the
piano and, picking up number of pho
tographs of John Desmond's friends
that lay upon the table, seated herself
upon a sofa with her back to the door
and proceeded to contemplate each Of
them.
Desmond returning home early that
evening let himself into his aunt's
house very quietly with his latch key,
hoping to catch Kate at the piano in
| the middle of one of the sweet airs
which he had grown of late to love.
He approached the great drawing
| room doors and took a peep through
the crevice which separated them. In
an instant his heart seemed to cease
beating with almost electrical sudden
uess. for the sight which his maddened
brain encountered filled him with rage
and jealousy.
With heart of ice and lead he was
| about to turn to leave the house as
noiselessly as he had entered when the
| sinking sun shot a ray of light through
| the room and revealed something
l
through his body than it had ever
| coursed before. Then he turned away
and closing the door very softly be-
hind him, descended the front steps of
the house and passed down the street.
/
Mrs Salisbury and Miss Evanston
Were at their dessert that evening be-
| fore John appeared. He had left word
in the morning that he might be de-
! tanned until late hour and so they
had not waited dinner for him.
Mrs. Salisbury noticed that her
| nephew seemed to be laboring under
considerable restraint and bluntly
asked him the cause; but the good
| body's solicitude met only with evasion
and she presently gave up all attempts
| to draw anything from him and retired
| early to her room, leaving John and
l Kate together.
No sooner had Mrs. Salisbury quit
ted the dining-room than Desmond
turned to Kate and said:
Miss Evanston, I'm going to ask
| you to do me n favor.''
Kate looked at him inquisitively.
81 want you," he continued, "to ac-
| company me on bit of shopping
| tour. I've got peculiar mission to ex-
ecute and / want your help. Will you
do it?"
'sro be sure. / shall be most happy,
| Mr.. Desmond" Kate answered, "and
| if you'll excuse me I'll be prepared in
very few minutes"
The streets were dark by the time
| they left the house for the shopping
| quarter of the town, and Kate took
Desmond arm. They had walked for
a few moments in silence when Des-
mond said:
81 want to explain this errand to you
and no doubt you, too, will think it Pc
culiar. AS matter Of fact, I've been
commissioned to arrange for the we'd
ding of two very dear friends.''
1.-TWO couples" Kate asked, quietly.
"Why, no! only one couple; a man
and woman" John answered, some
what puzzled at the question.
"And was she a very dear friend ?"
the girl on his arm asked.
yes; the dearest friend I ever had
among women; in fact, the only wom-
an l ever really cared for.'
In moment John was half sorry,
half glad he had said this, for he felt
the little hand Of his companion with
draw until only the tips of her fingers
rested on his arm. "That's a good
Sign" he unused.
For moment nothing was said;
then Miss Evanston broke the silence.
"And didn't she care for you?" she
asked.
"Yes," he replied "She loved me
and she still loves me-"
Presently Rates curiosity got the
better of her judgment and asked:
"And the man-you say he's dear
friend, too!'
YES" replied Desmond, "the only
one | ever trusted absolutely"
"And does he know that you love her
and that she loves you?'
He knows absolutely that love