Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-10-31
HER BLUNDER

- AROLYN VERNET was of that
order of women to whom their
" admirers are wont to apply such
adfectives as 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
a 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 it understood that
said education was all he meant to give
Frank.
His presumptive heir was another
nephew, Franks cousin.
Well, these considerations had their
weight with Miss Vernet, and she had
hesitated before accepting the young
lawyer, but his attraction Of mind and
person proved too much for her world
ly wisdom, and it was an engagement.
Only she stipulated that 1t should be
no more until Frank should have sufti-
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 a tender parting
between the lovers, at which Carolyn
was fearful and despondent, Frank
brave and hopeful.
Don't think Of my absence, dearest"
he urged cheerfully. '"Think of the
time when l shall return with a for
tune to offer you"
Return when you will, Frank" sob
bed Carolyn. "you shall find me true.
/ will wait for you faithfully"
Frank Reade went to Europe, and
for a month Carolyn was inconsolable.
However, this did not last long, and
Mt the end of a month Carolyn had so
far recovered from her grief as to ac-
cept an invitation to Mrs. De Smiths
solree.
At that soiree she met Albert Reade,
that fortunate cousin Of Franks.
Mr. Reade was a rather good-looking
young man. She saw at 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.. Reade allude to
his cousin, but Albert was ignorant Of
Miss Vernet's 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 fiat
tering to her constancy she said indig-
nantly:
"Of course she must go about with
some one, and who could be a more
proper escort than Franks cousin?
So she continued to ''go about" with
Albert Reade. OF course, you see the
sequel Carolyn loved Frank. Under
the fascination of his presence she had
yielded her selfishness, but now that
he was gone, worldliness had resumed
its sway. and ambition began to sug-
gest that Albert was a 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 it a
sensible proceeding.
And Carolyn married Albert Reade.
They went to live with Uncle Jenkins,
who gave the bride a 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-
years after her marriage. heard a lady
and gentleman at her side conversing
as follows:
81 suppose Maria told you about her
friend Frank Reade's good fortuneT
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-I suppose.
Yes, he did take her inconstancy bad
". Maria says. They say she was a
great beauty, and men are silly about
Il pretty face-begging your pardon.
mon ami"
Granted" laughed the gentleman.
Proceed"
'Well. you know, as soon as he was
safely out Of the way she married a
rich man, some relation to Frank
Reade. believe"
"Yesi have heard all about that"