Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-12-19

with Mr.. Campbell?"
The person to whom the question
was addressed glanced across the re-
seption hall and rephed;
Robert Gordon. He is the fellow
about whom the newspapers are say
inc so much-the lobbyist from New
York who has succeeded in getting the
Consolidated Telephone ordinances
through the council. Handsome, ism I
he?"
Remarkably so. Still, on a closer
view his expression is not entirely
pleasant, and ! should say that he
bears marks Of dissipation-not gross
ly. but there is something that sug-
gests wine, women and song al unholy
aours-or am I mistaken? Is that
pallor natural?"
A woman standing near bent a keen
glance at the man as his name was
mentioned. and the slightest sugges-
ton Of flush appeared on her cheeks.
1t was the first time she had laid eyes
on him since the night she had Jlltea
him for Frederick Markham. That was
10 years ago. They were both young
about 1s-and had been sweethearts
from childhood. He was still in col
lege, a brilliant boy and a career pre-
dicted for him. But the career was
long ways off and Gordon had little
other than expectations.
Frederick Markham was rich and
well-connected and ten years her
senior. He offered her all the things
so dear to the girl just budding into So
ciety. and she had accepted him ana
thrown Gordon over. She had not an
ticipated such a scene, however, as fol-
lowed when she told him that she was
TO marry Markham. He accused her
bitterly of heartlessness and Of delib-
erately leading him on for the sake Of
amusement. He swore that she had
ruined his life and for the wreck that
would follow she was responsible by
every law Of God and Of man. He told
her that he would never again believe
in the sincerity of a human creature.
He would live, he declared, solely TO
crafty his senses, and he wished her
much JOY in the sale she had made OF
herself. 1t was the speech of a hot
headed, high-spirited, disappointed
boy. II all came up before her this
night many years later with startling
vividness as she looked at him across
the reception hall.
And il had eventuated much as he
had predicted. He had finished his col
lege course and studied law, while
plunging into. extreme designations.
His great natural abilities had carried
him through and he had settled in New
York, where, instead Of devoting him
self to his profession, he had used his
brilliant qualities to forward all sorts
OF questionable schemes. He had be-
come a very successful lobbyist.
He had never visited the home city
since his interview with the woman
until this time, when he had come to
force through the city council the most
audacious and notorious measure that
had ever been attempted in the city.
And he had succeeded and il was wills
pered that he had secured small for
tune for his work.
She was surprised at the great
change in the man, and still more sur
prised at the unchanged resemblance
, to the ingenious, enthusiastic youth
she had known He looked scarcely
older, excepting for the prematurely
gray hair, although the face had lost
its roundness and the cheeks were
white with pallor.
While all this flashed through hei
, mind Robert Gordon and Mr.. Campbell
were surrounded by a merry party o
: ladies and gentlemen, to whom thu
former was being presented. WheI
Mrs Markham glanced toward tn,
party, Gordon was being presented {,
her daughter, tall, handsome, viva
cious girl Of IS. The mother noted tn,
: look OF startled recognition in his eye
(the girl was perfect prototype of he
! mother at the same age), and note
also the slight flush in his pale cheek
The mask Of indifference had vanisheu
from his face and he entered at ono
= into an animated conversation wit
= the girl An expression of anxiet
4 came into the face of Mrs. MARKHAM
4 and the shadow of a great apprehen
, sion crossed her heart. Then sh
= Strengthened herself haughtily an
3 muttered to herself:
. 'What an idea. must be going int
2 second childhood"
= During the entire evening Gordo
. monopolized Miss Markham's after
3 ton, and at the close handed her I
3 the carriage-all to the considerabl
& discontinue of her mother.
Z Robert Gordon did not return at ono
= to New York as he had announced pre-
: viously. The weeks faded into month
: and still he occupied the handsome
: suite at the Royal and hung over tn
: dainty hand of the young heiress q
: the Markham fortune. Mrs. MARKHAM
a fretted and stewed, but her expostuls
= tious fen on unheeding ears. The OH
felt the strong attraction toward IN