The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-06-25

looms and machinery. II has been In the
family the best part OF u century, be-
lieve."
Grace departed alert. but speedily re-
turned. whispering something anxiously
i'm her mothers ear.
Nonsense, childln said the lady. with
u flushed face. = left IL there but "A little
while ago. You have MOI half looked for
it,"
"Can go and get what YOU want,
ma'ms' said Bell Skinner, who sat near.
respondent In pink muslin and gilded
bracelets.
No, thank YOU replied Mrs. Bling.
ham, sharply. her stateliness OF demeanor
somewhat shaken. I'm 70 myselL'
Apart. in long curtained bay-window.
stood Mary Perley. loo king down on the
garden below, which giittercd with un-
numbered Chinese lanterns. Soft airs
were play ing about her 4; the silvery foun-
tain FLASHED below. IL was all like an en-
chanted scene. 80 absorbed she stood that
she did not see figure approaching her,
nor feel the touch of quick and slender
hand, light Of movement as thistle-iown.
Softly as spirit might have done il the
4 handkerchief was withdrawn from its
hiding, and Kate. slipping noiselessly up.
stairs by "a back way which her quick eye
had espied, reached the dressing-room,
and flung the bauble from her upon the
/ door before Mrs. Bingham's slower steps
had reached the landing
! Bell Skinner sat watching, seeing little
conjecturing much.
The excited face OF little Grace, her
hurried whisper. her mothers hasty exit
had caught the quick eyes ard ears OF the
sensitive guests. and there was a general
buzz of relief when Mrs Bingham entered
holding up the beautiful handkerchief.
My careless little Grace" she said. II
think you owe an apollo TO our young
friends for keeping them from the dance
SO long. Come. let us have some music :"
But one eye turned upon this scene,
wide, scared, and bewidered. Wan.
trembling guilty, scarce comprehending
what she saw, Mary staggered forward,
gasping for breath. But friendly arm
upheld her, friendly hand drew her back
to the shelter If the curtains again.
"Oh, Kate" she cried. bursting into
tears. "Oh. how. hO,c did you save me.
kates Oh. what would my poor brother
have said -
Hush :" said her friend. as the girl sob.
bed Historically on her bosom lit is all
over now. Come. let Us 20 down to the
fountain and wash your eyes. dear and no
one will ever know any thing of it,
I Dul hHbNN IL. hAAt.
said Mary. humbly Il shall think an
evil spirit lurked IN that beautiful room,
and saw that | was the weakest and
wickedest that entered it,"
The evening passed gayly with music
and dancing. and the grand supper out in
a tent under the trees. Mrs. Bingham
was very courteous hostess; she prided
herself on making her guests feel at
home. They were her wofk-people. the
foundation other prosperity and wealth.
Ii was a good thing for her boy 20 be
I popular among them. lie would be able
/ by-and-by 10 uphold the honors Of the
house, as his father had done. Perhaps
she would have felt less complacent had
\ she known that the boy for whose welfare
she was planning was sitting apart in
leafy arbor. forgetfnl OF his other guests.
and deeply absorbed in conversation with
/ Kate Nelson.
I" Charles" said his mother the next
morning. as they sat slipping their choco-
late and commenting on the success OF the
previous evening. ''every thing passed off
very pleas antly-very pleasantly indeed.
\ The people are surprisingly well-man-
nered for their class. But must say | do
not like that accident OF the handkerchief
| should not like to suspect
Who could YOU suspect. mother -
said her son, testify. as he turned over the
newspaper y on knew every body,
\ didn'tyou -
Wei, nearly. but there were some
newcomers. you know. made no dis
I tinctions. OF course bat Bell skinner"
= Bell Skinner, Mother. you haven't
been listening TO her twaddle. She would
make mischief among the angels in
heaven"
Meaning the girls az the factory said
his mother, smiling. .Well. my lad, she
merely mentioned seeing Kate Nelson
leave the room hastily when the handker-
chief
Confound the handkerchief inter
ruptei the youth, disrespectfully. aid
stake my reputation on Rates honesty a.
well az her beauty. She's TOO good for
fellow. though"
His mother looked at him with aston
ishment. .'Char les she observed. with
asperity. IAN [ to understand"
Understand any thing you like, moth
er. She's the noblest woman living. |
think. thongh she did re fuse me last night"
And this spoiled young man swallowed
his last drop Of scading chocolate. snatch
ed up his hat. and made hasty exit. leay.
ing his mother with uplifted hands and
eyes turned heavenward. doubtless thank
ing the benIgnant powers which had
averted the unfores seen calamity.
But shadow had fallen upon Hates
pathway, a shadow not TO be- easily dis
PEELED. In various ways, almost AS lightly
a. the leaves fall in the woods. change
came over her summer prosperity, and
she was made to feel the subtle force. the
chilling influence. of suspicion. She had
borne prison and penury once. She had
been used to feel despised and outcast
once but now, since her soul had lifted
itself into purer atmosphere. the remem-
and she had grown keenly sensitive to
every SLIGHT IN everv n vprtad plance that