Year: 1879




turned from her was as white as Marble
mo, she replied in firm but low voice
shall never 60 with him; no, never, anc
now Wilson, please never speak of him
In my presence again. l must forget th.
past and try to blot it from my memcry
as If it had never been," and rising
turned and went in the house.


She knew he spoke the truth and il
her mind drew comparison between the
two men, Harry Balm and Wilson War
ren, the one who had cast aside her love
for ambition, the other would have will
lingingly died if by so doing it coulj
have secured her happiness. "Wilson,
and raising to his her dark beautiful
eyes that were filling with tears, "gc
where may your friendship I will prize
highly and ever think Of you with gait
tude, and although may never be your
wife lsolemnlY promise I shall never wee
another


She had been gone some weeks wher
according to promise he received letter
from her in which she said: ''Wilson,
did not, as you predicted, find home o
elegance and splendor, but one of love
and ease. No, my father is not wealthy
man, but he has what is worth more tc
me than all the wealth of the Indies, al
excellent library and now can study and
read. 1t is what my heart has cravcd
but what I never dared hope for"


Eight years have come and gone since
Harry Balm still loving, parted from Eth
ell Cameron. He had, as she had antici
pated he would, married the only chile, an
neiress of leading banker in New York
but she who had so much contributed
to his advancement lived not to share his
triumph, for ere the years had spread by
death claimed its own and gently they )aid
mother and babe in the graveyard. AT
last Harry BAN had attained the height OF
his ambition. at last he stood one OF the
leading men Of the city, but was he happy
No. Often IN the solitude of his chamber
bis heart pleaded for his first love but pride
whispered, "Be still she is no mate for
him." Again he yielded. The elegant
mansion of Mrs. Lee was brilliantly
illuminated and the magnificent furnished
parlors were crowded with the elite of
that great city, for tonight her beautf-
tul and accom- Pushed friend, Ethel Merle,
has returned from abroad and in her
honor the ball is to be given, and who
would have thought that Ethel Cameron
and Ethel Merle, the beautiful and grace
tul woman, were one ana the same9
But why did the color ia her face come
and go so rapidly, why did her heart
beat so fast and after anxiously scanning
every face almost stop. Ha! this was
the secret she MISUNDERSTANDING Harry
Balm, and for him she had tried to look
her best. Surely she would not be dis
appointed; he would come; it was early
yet, but hours passed and he came not.
She had been dancing; she was one Of
the gayest Of the gay. Again the band
had commenced, the Lancers were being
formed, but refusing on the play of Ia
rigue and warmth she crossed to win
dow, as she thought unobserved, and
drawing The curtains together was so deep
in thought that she did rot her the APP
preaching footsteps until the curtains
were drawn aside and "A[iss Merle, ex
cuse our intrusion, but my friend wishes
to be introduced, and not knowing when
the opportunity woulu again be afforded,
I have taken the liberty of this.
Miss Merle, my friend, Mr.. BAN"
Her heart gave one great leap and
then stood almost still, but
she did not lose her presence of mind,
but bowed low and pronounced his name
distinctly. Yes, after eight years of JOY
and sorrow, for she bad experienced both,
she stood face to face with the man that
had deserted and left her because she
could not aid to his ambition, but now
she stood his equal and she would have
revenge. She would exert her power to
the utmost to fascinate and draw him to
her side, for she had determined Harry
Balm should again ask her to be his wife
But as they talked on, did he not recog
nize herl No. But as o low musical
laugh hoatcd out in the still evening
br ezs it brought back to his mind the
past and the remembrance of Ethel
Cameron, but he thought it only fancy,
for he never for a moment imagined that
the little country girl WHOM he had part.
ed with go long ago and the lovely wom-
would have deemed it impossible. Ethel
Merle was accom- pllshing her revenge, for
night after night Harry Balm sought her
side and soon learned to love her with
his whole heart. Hc sworc life would
be useless without her; she must, she
she would be his wife at last, yet he dare
not lay his heart at her feet, for had not
fortune favored her too2 He could stand
it no longer-he would go at once and
ask her. He bad been in the drawing
room what seemed to him hours (but
yn;aS inf not nj too ~,hn
the door opened and looking even more
beautiful than ever Ethel entered, and
grasping her hand he dropped on one
knee and told her Of his love. He said
You know, Ethel, can offer nothing
you have not except life of devotion.
Will you accept it, will you be my wife2'
After he had finished she said ''Arise,
Harry Bain.' There was something
in the tone of her voice as there had been
In the sound Of her laugh that made him
startlc and gaze eagerly into her eyes
and there saw look that brought
thoughts of Ethel Cameron again to his
mind. Really" she continued, s'has time
wrought such a change in nae that you
who knew me best know me no more2
Do you remember, Harry Bain," she
went on, "eight years ago when you left
me you promised should we ever meet
again you would tell me fby your own
choice you had gained happiness When
she had concluded speaking be sprang
forward and catching her hands in his
exclaimed, "Oh, Ethel, my darling, I
know you now, know why love you.
Forgive and forget and bid ME hope, for
o., Ethel, as true as there is heaven
above I have never ceased to loye and
thiqk OF you and there hsye been hours