Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1861-11-30

acquaintance that Richard and Mildred
were engaged. 1t had been the belief for
some time that Julia Fielding, the spark
ling, satirical, dark eyed beauty and heir.
ess, had secured the prize but not choos.
ing 10 make the engagement public just
yet, put forward her cousin Mildred to a
shsSs in his attentions while abroad That
worldly monopoly, sour set," had no,
imagined itpossble that be should be so
silly as to have eyes for the glowing
beauty of the pure browed and fair faced
orphan. They thought her really quite
pretty for poor grl-would be, if she
was dressed-and with something of a
manner, owing TO her mother having been
in superior circumstances once, they sup
posed. Full Of pleasant recollectious of
the previous evening, his heart warm with
the impetuous hopes of lover, Richard
Graham called at the stately house of Mr.
Fielding as early the following morning
as was permissa Bile. He found the cous.
ms both in the library, to which, as fire.
quent guest, he was uncevemoniously ad-
mitted.
Midred's engagement had been an
nounced to the family about month pre-
sious, very much to the chagrin of the
mother and daughter, but to the uuseliish
qualification of the father, who was not
aware that his own child had hoped TO
secure that same advantageous union.
His relation to the family being thus un.
derstood, the young gentleman felt at lib
erty to call as often as he chose.
Julia ran forward with both hands ex-
tended, and welcomed him with an ease
and gaiety much more impressive than the
timid blush Of the young girl, who could
not for the world have testified her Oy so
openly. About Julia there was almost TOO
much Of restlessness, kind Of mock ing,
restless mirthtulDess, 80 that Richard could
not but admire her humming bird bril-,
liancy.
"Come, now Mr.. Graham, do not mind
my presence. Sit down there on the sofa
by your lady, and say all that see talk.
ing in your eyes. Do not let me throw a
wet blanket upon your eloquence.' And
Julia sank apparently into the oblivious
depths OF an arm chair and society
novel" while Richard awaited himself OF
her invitation to take seat by Mildred.
Presently the door bell rang, and note
was brought to Mildred. While she read
it, her lover exchanged some remarks with
her cousin, whose book had dropped into
her lap, and who seemed :rie pale and
excited with the highly wrough. fiction
she had been reading When he turned
again to Mired, her face was as white as
marble, and she was looking vaguely q,
the note.
What is it? Have you bad news?'
~ do not know she said: II do not
understand it," And she read it through
again, slowly, as if there was a mist be-,
fore her eyes.
"Let me see it Is it anything can
expain?' asked Julia.
mo! no one shai! see it - exclaimed
Mildred, nervousiy thrustihg the paper
into hor pocket
"3ut it must be seen, for it must be ex-
planned. Ana who can explain it?' she
continued, drawing it forth again and
putting it into her lovers hand. Read 1t
Richard, aud tell me what it means per
haps you know"
he read 1t:
Mss Mildred Ftel?iag-Nu1am-
uetc HAS pctu IL stIdASe instant, anu
the more quickly and quietly i, is rectifed
the better ior one party, certainly. Upon
Tuesday afternoon, a costly silk robe OF
a peculiar pattern, received per steamer
Persia only the day before, and which We
are certain has no duplicates in the city
except these IN Our own possession, mys,
teriously disappeared from the silk coun-
ter of our establishment. At the same
time, a piece of point lace, extraordinary
expensive aud OF unique design, was
nssed from the lace department. As
none Of the new silk had been sold, We
Immediately withdrew them from sale
that we might more readily detect the
missing pattern, though we had but one
robe in that shade Of color What was
the astonishment--in fact, griet-ot one
of our firm, upon attending Mrs. --'s
reception last evening, to notice a young
lady wearing that identical dress, trimmed
shout the sleeves aud waist with the stolof
lace, and to find that she belonged to The
family of highly esteemed gentleman
upon whom We should much dislike tc
cast disgrace! Upon consultation, there,
fore, We have agreed to give the young
lady warning, and to say to her that hel
guilt vii not be exposed il the amount
due for the appropriated goods be sen
this day to the firm.
ae .. A. S. 4 Co.
Iuclosed in this note was a bill which
ran- #..
Miss Mildred Fielding DR.. to A. S
& Co:
One silk robe, $75 90
~ yds point lace a, $50 yd. 800 90
Total Si35 90
"What does this mean, indeed p eX
claimed the young man. sH
81 have not the tainieSt idca,' murmur
INJURED Mildred looking up into his searcl
ing eyes with frightened look. IL tho
you had sent me the package, Richard"
"What package? :? when? and how 2"
"On Tasday, Just before FIVE o'clock
the package, containing the dress and
lace, and pair Of white kid gloves arriv-
ed at the house. There was no message
nor note, and | thought that you, being
anxious for me to attend the party, haJ
sent the things to enable me to 90.
thought you had sent them anonymously