The evening Republican., 1902-07-11
THE TRIUMPH
OF MBHALA.


Mehala achieved the triumph.
Mapleville is a small town in the
province of Ontario, Canada, Walter
Chaney was young and handsome
his people were highly respected
and he attended church regularly.
But all these things were only the
solid foundation of his great popu
larity.
lie was tho best player in the To-
cal lacrosse team; he padded d
swifter stroke than any other mem,
ber Of the canoe club; he organized
surprise parties; he WIS favorite
with 'the boys; he was more than
favorite with more than half OF
the girls. In a crowd his voice was
gay ahd his manner demonstrative:
in soltitude-shared with one an
other--he was gentle, subtitle, and
discreet.
For couple of years he held his
own. then a rumor grew into Il Ger
tainty, Walter CLANCY was engaged
to be married to Jeunie Lane. II iu-
dIvidual hearts were aching, the
town. as Il whole. approved. Jennie
was very pretty, lovable. and rich.
She would make an excellent house.
keeper; che embroidered perfectly,
and painted on satin execrably. She
was u year younger than Walter;
they attended the same Bible class
the match was suitable In every way.
Now, Mehala did not exhist, socially
speaking, in Mapleville. Her father
owned small corner grocery, but
when Mr.. Chaney became prosper
Gus the old friendship ended.
Mehala, atlS, was u sharp.faced,
big-eyed clip of girl. Her father
and mother were from New England
she herself looked like a little, pale
Puritan. with all her youth and
quick intelligence hidden and re.
pressed.
Her knowledge Of Walter Clancy.
since the last tine she went nutting
wife him as child, was con fined to a
couple of meetings and numberless
bowsaud smiles. Once he had walk.
ed with her from a sewing bee.
Once they had gathered volIets
together in the woods. To her.
this secoud meeting was like the
experience of the beggar maid; but
before the voilcts we're all withered
King Cophetua's engagement 10
JENNIE Lane was announced.
Then, at the very minute wheu
his first serious vows OF constancy
filled him with a feeling OF blind
securing, the girl from New York
came to Maplevile.
She was fair bai barian-a
hearlless eoquette- be wilderingly
pretty and inso!ent. 1t was her
fate TO give Walter Chaney pain.
lul, necessary lesson. He soon
realized his own inleriori,y; they
both belonged to one school. but
she was a past mistress IN the ar.
of Irritation, and he, being a con.
ceited novice, had to pay the usual
penalty by misunderstanding his
teachers tactics.
jennie Lane grew pale and pen.
sIve, but the girl was apparently
unconscious. When he found that
her visit would end with ths sum-
mcr. Walter became reckless. She
was seen in his canoe the annual
regatta. and she drove behind
"Chaney's team every day OF the
week.
BY the time the goldsn rod was
glowing on the river banHs Jennie
Lane aud Waiter Chaney had
broken off their engagement.
The girl from Now York deplvtcl;
the Lane family left the town for u
trip 10 Niagara; autumn house clean.
ing kept MehaIa tied to the corner
grocery, and the "moSt popular boy
in town' was openly sc1rned for his
Inconsistency.
Walter Chanev's fall from favor
was absolute and cruel, and it reached
its lowest depths ut the bachelors
bal! in the early winter, Icnnle Lane
was still away; but her friends de-
termined to revenge her. Their plan
W as a welI-kept secret, Mehala, al
though she was invited to tho ball,
as not In 1.-THE best set and knew
nothing.
The great social event of the M.
pleviilc season was held in the Eig
of the chief hotel. The
floor was perfect: the doors we're
crowded with guests 1t was u night
for new dresses and dance pro.
grWnmes the latte. never seen at
smaller parties.
Mehala. accompanied by her father
W as squeezed into an obscure cor
ner by the little platform where
"the select orchestra' was tuning
its fiddle and cello. Very few people
spoke to her. The programme Ue.
tween her lingers had only the word
spa" written against set of quad
rifles and POLKA.
She looked with mingled envy and
admiration, at 4 group of laughing,
girls and young men at
the opposite end of the room. They |
we're all in "the best set', aud Me.
Aaa knew that her old companion,
Walter CLANCY, would find his place
among them. He was rather late.
Many eyes look curiousIy for the pop.
llar boy, and quick comprehensive
glance shot from one to another Of |
he girls as he Came into the ball
'oOn.
Without a minutes hesitation,
Walter turned into the group that
vas being watched by Meha The
,uning OF the fiddle and 'cello was
ust finished, aud the floor was clear.
With u little smile, he took hold of
edith Quartermain s programme tile
acknowledged leader Of Maplcsville
ocicty.
''sorry, I'm engaged, she said.
Walter VAS SlIrnriaed hit hjs N uinlr