The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-08-15
in SACkCLOTH AND ASHES.
BY MARY REED CROMWELL.

y
He had been admitted twominutes be-
fore, and had given his card to the foot
man, and was just little piqued that
lis betrothed kept him waiting SO long.
He had toyed with the musical album
on the mosaic inlaid table under the
chandelier, and had examined the deli
cate ferns that grew in their rustic vases,
and even had whisled to the canary i'll
its gilt cage that Il, hng over the aquari-
um-and yet Julie did not come.
Never before had she been so derelict.
Before this evening, he had never wait
ed three minutes for her to come rust
ling down the grand staircase, heralded
by the dainty fragrance of "bouquet'
she invariably used, and now this delay
was astonishing.
He had just made up his mind to jerk
the orange-satin tassel of the bell-pull,
and ascertain if the servant had neg
lected to announce him, when that dig
nitary appeared, with his choicest bow
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Mortimer,
but | did not know Miss Julie was not
dJ uOllle tlllul1 UDlS moment.
Harveys eyebrows lifted a moment
in surprise.
"Not at home Well, she will see
my card when she returns. Thank you,
Ellis"
That is what he said as he received
his hat and cane from the mans hands
but what he thought was different de
cidedly
He was pleased, this lover of Julie
Dayton's, who had given her to under
stand he would come that evening, and
then coming, found her from home
He walked down the avenue with more
sternness in his eyes than Julie ever
had seen there, trying to conquer the
strange sensation Of discomfort that
possessed him, and calling himself al
together too exacting in his great love
for the beautiful girl that had captured
him-heart and head.
He sauntered down Broadway, and
then dropped into concert hall, won
dering the while, why Julie had gone
from home that evening. And Julie
beautiful, lustrous-eyed Julie-with
her arch, tender chances, and her per
fectly bewildering ways, was teaching
another lover to appreciate her sweet
ness, all uncOncerned as to the treach-
cry of her position-the retribution
that would have to come according to
the inevitable law of compensation.
She had been at home, under the
very roof that had covered Harvey Nor
timer the impatient minutes he stood
there. She had heard his ring at the
door, had heard his cherry "good-
night" to the servant when he went
away, and had smiled over his card as
she deliberately sent word back she
was not at home.
Then, when she knew he was gone,
she went down stairs into the large
drawing room, where the lights were
turned up just enough to make the
apartment delightfully."- dusk, yet suf-
ficiently light to. reveal the elegance
OF It's appointments, and the unexcep-
tionable toilet she wore for-not Har-
vey Mortimer's eyes, the lover to whom
she had plighted her troth.
She certainly was enchantingly sweet
in her dull scarlet silk Oh, SIS, made in
the latest extravaganza of style; with
her heavy, dead gold iewelry, and the
almost priceless lace at the clear dark
neck. She looked every inch what she
was externally-a handsome, stylish,
aristocratic girl, and to her own heart,
as she met the brilliant gaze of her eyes
in the pier glass, she acknowledged the
truth that it wasn't much wonder that
Ray Graham was in love With her Just
as deeply as Harvey Mortimer was.
Ray Graham And it was his step
she was listening for now with ears that
had gladly heard the distancing foot
steps of the man she had promised to
marry; Ray Graham she was waiting
50 eagerly to welcome with the lips that
had uttered the fashionable lie that had
sent her betrothed husband away from
her house with such strange unrest in
his loyal heart.
She didn't have very long to wait
not SO long as Harvey Mortimer had
been kept waiting and when she heard
his tread in the hall she arose, with no
pretence of Indifference, to welcome
him.
A tall, handsome fellow-much hand
somer than Mr.. Mortimer, so far as
symmetry of features went and decision
Of color This Ray Graham was a fair
haired, tawny, mustached fellow, with
a dash of color in his cheeks, and dark
blue eyes, that had way of looking at
julie dark ones in manner that made
her heart beat as never Harvey Morti-
more's had done
Now, as Ray Graham came across the
carpet, indolently, gracefully, with all
his heart in his eyes, it was very patent
that he loved her dearly, as we'll as she,
poor girl poor Mortimer y worshipped
him.
He met her with an arm extended to
throw around her waist and draw her
close to his side.
Julie, you are glad to see me?" He
bent his lips to her forehead.
"Oh, Ray, would | have denied my
self to Mr.. Mortimer for any other rea-
son than seeing yon?"
He has been here ? Julie, darling,
when are you going to ship that fellow
for a7y sake %
"Tell me how / can lit, Ray? You
know our engagement is widely known,
and papa and mamma would neuer
consent to its being broken
birdie? And if you want me to tell
you how, why, listen"
SO, with his eager eyes watching her
own, his low love tones coming so
sweetly to her ears, he asked her to
surprise everybody and delight him and
herself by secret marriage-an elope- /
ment, if she would consent.
He told it all so plausibly; he paint
ed pictures of their tour to Europe
the gaieties of France, of Paris; the I