The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-07-11

dancing, she insisted on my staying all
night.
care you going to do so ?" Mrs.
Clark asked with q faint air of disap-
proval.
"I am, certainly" replied Mrs. For
rester, quite decidedly.
she and James had quarrelled, not she.
If she thought that he was a wretch and
told him so, she did not mean to en-
tighten others on the point.
They reached Blanchard's place in
due time. 1t was fine estate, mile
or two from the town in which Mr..
and Mrs. Forester had taken up tenn
porary summer residence, and on this
glorious September day was as beautiful
as picture.
The turf was green velvet, but here
and there tree or vine was red, gold OF
purple with autumn, and lighted up the
landscape like torch. The pond was
gay with boats, the lawn with gaily
dressed people, and all went merry as a
marriage bell.
The Blanchards were very polite to
Mrs. Forester, and grieved that bust
ness had prevented her husband from
accompanying her. They quite dis
tinguished her, and complimented her
as the handsomest dressed lady there.
Perhaps they remembered the three
thousand dollars she certainly did not
forget it.
When Mrs. Anne Trask called her at
tention to the beauty of the conserva-
tories, she sighed and said:
"Ah, yes; and my dear, poor James
money built them. l really feel as if
they were mine"
When Mr.. Glare, all old admirer of
Mrs. Forrester's, on whose arm she took
long promenade that afternoon, groan-
ed us he looked at the charming place,
and said at is like view of Paradise
to Adam after he was turned out. We
poor bachelors look at the wives and
the houses cf other men and sigh in
vain"
Mrs. Forester laughed and said:
"Why don't you fail! Then all your
friends can contribute the house and
land, and the wife will come of herself
Such place as this would be an induce
ment to any girl"
For a woman who was inclined to be,
jealous of her husband, Mrs. Forester
certainly carried on quite game that
afternoon with Mr.. Charles Glare. He
was very attentive and gallant, and she
was very complacent and evinced no in
disposition to little flirting. She en-
joyed it immensely.
Served James right for not coming.
He could look at the other women and
make them sweet speeches-she knew
he did-and she would show him that
two could play that game. The only
thing wanting to perfect enjoyment of
the situation was that James could see
the whole.
1t wouldn't do half as well if she told
him, because he might think that she
was doing it to make him jealous. She
almost hoped that some one would no.
tice and warn him and think that she
was horrid.
Charles Glare was going to remain all
night too; he told her so. He had been
assisting the Blanchards in preparing
this affair, and was going to stay.
Should he have the pleasure of driving
her over next morning?
The real meaning of the request was
that she wanted James to see her driving
up to the door with Charles Glare in his
carriage, and ask Charles to help her out
in that graceful, devoted way of his.
Wouldn't she smile on her escort and
make believe she did not see who was
looking out of the window. She would
teach James Forester to let her go off
alone, and never care what became of
her. He should know what jealousy
was.
"You really think that you will stay
all night" Mrs. Clark asked, putting
her head into charming tete-a-tete be-
tween Mrs. Forester and her old lover.
"Oh, yes; it is quite decided said
Eva, angrily.
Flirting thing" muttered Mrs.
Clark, turning away. Il shouldn't
wonder if she came on purpose to see
Mr.. Clare"
Just as the dancing began, a boy in
quired at the open window of the parlor
for Mrs. Forester.
"She is dancing there with Mr..
Clare" Mrs. Clark said.
Mrs. Clark was Just about going and
was annoyed that she must go alone.
She wanted some one to abuse her host
and hostess to all the way home, and she
must bottle it all till the next day.
Heres note for her." the boy said
and having given it the boy vanished.
Mrs. Clark delighted in mystery and
melodrama. This was so charming, the
mysterious message, the tragical looking
note, the fact of any note at all having
come. Then when she had breathlessly
sought out Eva Forester, and given her
the note, hoping that it contained bad
news, and had watched her tear it open,
the expression of her face when she read
it added SO to the charm of the situa-
ton.
"Is Mr.. Forester i'll 7" her comforter
inquired.
"Not very we'll, that is ALL" Eva re-
piled, as calmly as she could. "He can't
do without me, if he has sore finger OF
toothache."
Charles Clare scowled. To be sure
Eva's Irritation with him had consisted
in the most outrageous praises of hei
husband and description of the happi.
ness of their lives; but then he wanted
to drive her to town, and make her hus'
band little jealous, if possible.
He had to resign himself, however
and lead her to Mrs. Clark's carriage
and see her drive away in the starry
night.
The contents of the note were these
lines
If Mrs. Forester knew with whom
her husband spends his time while she
is gone, she would not stay away long