Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-10-29
hER BLUNDER

Tx DLOlNDEk
- AROLYN VERNET was of that
l 4 order Of women to whom their
admirers are wont to apply such
adjectiyes 81 regal" magnificent"
imperial"
Many lovers sought to win her, and
many were disappointed when rumor
announced her engagement to young
Frank Reade.
To be sure, Frank was handsome as
Prince and brilliant as to wit and
talents, was poor. hadn't even "expec-
tations."
Early orphaned Of both his parents,
he was educated for the law by rich
uncle. who made 1t understood that.
said education was NIL he meant to give
Frank. ,s,h
His presumptiye heir was another
nephew, Franks cousin.
Well, these considerations had their
weight with Miss yernet. md she had
hesitated before accepting the young
lawyer, but his attraction of mind and
person proved too much for her world
~ wisdom. and it was an engagement.
Only she stipulated that 1t should be
no more until Frank should have suffi-
cient income to support her In good
style.
OF course, Frank must needs go
away to seek his fortune. He went to
Europe. There was tender parting
between the lovers. at which Carolyn
was fearful and Respondent. Frank
brave and hopeful.
Don't think of my absence. dearest"
he urged cheerfully. Think of the
time when I shall return with for
tune to offer you"
"Return when You will, Frank" sob
bed Carolyn, you shall find me true.
will wait for you faithfully"
Frank Rcade went to Europe, and
for n month Carolyn was inconsolable.
However, this did not last long, and
Mt the end of month Carolyn had SO
far recovered from her grief as to nc
cept an invitation to Mrs. De Smiths
soiree.
AT that solree She met Albert Readc
that fortunate cousin of Franks.
Mr.. Keadc was rather good-looking
Young man. She saw ut once that he
was destined to become her adorer. Be-
sides he was Franks cousin-reason
enough why she should like him.
Still she did not speak to him of
Frank; neither did Mr.. Rcade allude to
his cousin, but Albert was ignorant of
Miss Yernets engagement to Frank.
He began from their first meeting to
devote himself to her. and Miss Vernet,
not being blind. especially to such at
tentions. did not mistake it. yet she
did not discourage him.
And when occasionally she heard
some comment from Society" not flat
tering to her constancy she said indig-
nantly:
"Of course she must go about with
some one, and who could be more
proper escort than Franks cousin?"
So she continued TO ''go about" with
Albert Readc. OF course. you see the
bGVuSI. SuLOAy II AOSCu l. Ouuer
the fascination of his presence she had
yielded her selfshness, but now that
he was gone, worldliness had resumed
its sway, and ambition began to sug
gest that Albert was better match
than Frank.
Society" that astute and consider
ate body, had long foreseen the event
and was not in the least surprised
when Miss Vernet authorized the in
formation that she was soon to marry
Albert Reade. and society thought 1t n
sensible proceeding.
Aud Carolyn married Albert Reade.
They went to live with Uncle jenkins.
who gave the bride n set of diamonds
and did the handsome thing generally.
and somebody was good enough to send
to Frank in Europe paper containing
the marriage notice. What crushing
blow to all his hopes that notice was
he never told any one. He did not re-
turn home, and society was left to for
get or remember him as it would.
1t chose to remember him, for Caro-
Ign, riding on n ferryboat about two
years after her marriage. heard a lady
and gentleman Mt her side conyersinp
as follows:
II suppose Maria told you about her
friend Frank Reades good fortune?"
Queried the lady.
mo. What about him? under.
stand that he was rather unfortunate
at one time"
you mean about his engagement to
that Miss-Vincent, was It'll suppose,
Yes. he did take her Inconsistency bad
", Maria says. They say she was a
great beauty, and men are silly about
pretty facc-begging your pardon,
mon anil"
Granted" laughed the gentleman.
proceed"
We'll, you know, as soon as he was
safely out of the way she married a
rich man, some relation to Frank
Reade. believe"
Eyes; have heard all about that"
"Well. now comes the sequel. Frank
went to Switzerland on some wild
goose chase, and while there saved the
life Of certain rich, benevolent, child
less gentleman. Well, the benevolent
old gentleman insisted on taking his
brave young preserver home to En-
gland with him. Then he adopted him,
and now he has capped the climax by
dying and leaving his immense fortune
Internationally to Frank. Now, won't
that be bitter pill to the faithless
beauty?"
Carolyn heard no more, but she had
heard enough, and later the story had