The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-10-20
Cup'd's Revenge.

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Your wife, Thornton? Why, is seems
only yesterday. you were carrying my
books 10 school. What do boys know of
love?"
And Nellie Rivers glanced innocently up
into the face of him whom she addressed
as innocently as though she had not
known for many months the question just
put to her had been trembling on his
eager lips.
A hot flush dyed Thornton Mays cheeks
at her words. A fash Of anger leaped into
the dark eyes, a moment before so ten
Derby passionate.
''Flirti Heartless!' burst in a muttered
whisper from the young mans white lips
Then he rose with a dignity which
seemed suddenly TO have sprung into life.
Without even extending his hand, with
simply low bow of courtesy, he left her.
she sitting motionless. the echo of the
closing of the outside door ringing in her
ears strangely like knell.
''They say Thornton May is engaged
What wonderful strides he has made in
his art!'
wonderful. indeed But who is 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 which fell upon Nellie Riv-
ers listening ear
And this was the meaning Of his in
difference, when she would have made
atonement for the pastor the folly of a
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?'
It was his voice which broke upon her
reverie, his eyes resting on her. from
whom, at any cost, she must hide the
truth.
II am growing DID," she answered,
lightly. Like yourself 1 have put away
childish things, though, unlike you, l
have not assumed fresh responsibilities,
upon which, by the way, 1 believe You
are to be congratulated, although you
hardly deserve it for keeping such a
secret from your friends"
You speak in enigmas. Of what do
you speak?'
painted in lovely haracters, however ca
balistic they may be-"
60" sudden light breaking in upon
him, ''you speak of my picture. And does
rumor give her to me for my bride? I
am indeed, then. open to your congratula-
lions. But come, as I am not yet bene-
dict, may 1 not have this waltZ?"
"And this is my revenge" thought
Thornton May, as a few hours later he
sat alone in his bachelor apartments
modify surveying the dying embers in
the CRATE. 81, who fancied her voice
could no longer thrill or her beauty move
me, have but rivited the chains I thought
struck off from me forever. Tonight how
indifferently she congra tulated me upon
my supposed engagement! Had things
been different how charmingly my pretty
model might have helped out my PLAN!
1 will put the ocean between us ere, in
my weakness, I 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 1 forget-some one Is
waiting for you"
Yes" he answered, 81 must once more
say good-by, but this time, Miss Nellie,
1 hope you will add godspeed. I have
not forgotten urlast parting, though 1
hope my Oily has long ceased to be re-
membered. You were right. 1t was a
boys presumption, and I must thank
you for my lesson"
This was almost more than she could
bear. For the moment tears shimmered
in the dark eyes, sob rose in her throat,
but she answered bravely:
cit was I, who should rather ask your
pardon for the idle vanity of a girl who
knew not the meaning of her own words,
but through them has been the only suf-
ferer. Good-by, Mr.. May, and godspeed!'
She the only sufferer? What could she
mean?
For moment wild hope crossed his
mind, to be extinguished the next as he
glaned into the aim face and the eyes
whence all trace of tears had fed, but
at the hall door a moment later he
paused,
He would return to disabuse her mind
of this idle folly as TO his engagement.
So, again crossing the hall and mount
ing the stairs, he stood upon the thresh-
old of the room he had left so short a
time before. But, o, how changed!
Down upon her face lay the figure Of
the girl who had haunted him all these
years, while sob after sob racked her
frame.
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 knocking ray,
as he clasped the sobbing girl close to
his heart
'Is this true, my darllng?" he said.
And has our game been cross-purposes
all this weary time? o, Nellie, my pride
would have kept me silent had you not
shown me your secret. I had meant, my
darling, 10 teach you, If I could, TO love
me- but I forgot had learned the lesson
long ago-a lesson whose sweet teachings
will guard ali my future life
Thus, with lip pressed to his lip, and
heart to heart, her sObs now sobs Of hap
piness, Thornton May .wreaked his re-
venge.-SpaFe Moments.
Current TOpici.
The danger Of being struck by light
ming while sleeping in an iron bedstead