The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-04-11
THE PLOT THAT FAILED.

l
THE PLOT THAT FAILED.
The room was Que exquisite picture
of which beautiful May Frothinghan
formed fitting part. She stood neal
the center of the apartment-head BEN
slightly forward, blue eyes shining, lips
and cheeks aglow; she was listening fol
the football that she knew would soon
reach the door of this, her own dainty
sitting-room.
She had stood in the shadow of the
heavy curtains of the bay-window unit
she had seen him cross the street ahG
ascend the steps; she had heard the
servant open the door in answer to his
ring and knew that in another second
she would be clasped in the arms Of him
she loved and honored above all men.
AS he entered the room she took a step
forward, extended both hands; heT
whole manner expressing tondest wei.
come; but the g.ad light faded from her
face, and the outstretched hands
dropped nerveless at her side, as she
caught the expression of his counter.
ance; 1t was pale and stern, and there
was no light OF love in the dusky eyes as
| they met her own: and his formal "Good
evening, May chilled her to The heart.
She did not, could not return his greet
ing; she could only gaze at him bewild-
cred. What could have so changed him
from the ardent, impassioned leyer to
this man, who might be carved from
marble for all the warmth he seemed to
possessf .,-
| He did not seem to notice that she had
not replied to him, but walked slowly
past her, and threw himself into 4 low
chair at tue other side OF the ro ON.
she turned slowly, followed him with
her eyes, a half-w0ndering, hall-lright.
ened look on her lovely face, What
could be the matter with him? Was he
ill, or in trouble? The latter thought
startled her, and, forgetting his cool
greeting, thinking of nothing but that
she might comfort him, she hastened
across The room to his side.
"Are you ill, Herbert~ she asked,
her voice tender and earnest.
He raised his head, the stern look up
on his lace deepening; 1t sottened some
what as he caught the plying look upon
hers; If this was acting it was certainly
the perfection OF that art. Gould a
woman bestow such a look upon a man
whom she did notloyeY Itdid not seem
possible TO Herbert Thayer; but had he
not almost proof positive that she was
tritling with him-that she loved anolh-
er, and only feigned the love she ex-
pressed for MIN in order to owin him for
his wealth? For, although she lived
here in luxury, she had no fortune oil
her own, the amount left her by her
father would be mere plttance to a
woman reared as she had been.
So it was quite natural, Herbert
thought, that she should Wisn to wed
some one who could give her all the
luxuries to which she had been accus-
toned.
But until to-day he had never doubted
the love that she so freely expressed for
him; he had never thought that she in
the least favored any other gentleman
OF her acquaintance; so ne had trusted
and loveu her, and the time since their
engagement, three weeks before, had
passed as dream OF bliss.
"Where is your tuI quoise locketw he
asked abruptly, turning his eyes away
from the face he deemed SO false, but
which was fair enough to entrance
cooler man than Bert Thayer.
Mays hand went instantly to her
throat, and look of amazement flashed
over her face as she failed to ind the
trinket. Sue sprang to her feet and
crossed the room to the mirror; no, it
was not there, and the tine gold chain by
which it had been suspended was gone
too. In vain she searched; it was not
there.
al am sure I don't know, Herbert,n
she said, turning toward him. 81 was
sure that it was on my neck until you
asked me. never take it off, you know,
and had not missed it,"
"When do you remember seeing it
last?'
"Last evening; I know that ! had it
then, for Julia Forrest and her cousin,
MIR. Maynard, were here, and Julia
wished that hers was like it, because it
was too large to wear at her throat;
and, besides, she preferred turquoise
gems 10 rubies. Sne arose and exam
ined the pattern and monogram; SO you
see that l am positive that l had the
Iocket, and how 1t could have been lost
am sure don't know; priced it SO
much, tooW l..l.a.. ..y
And the coral lip quivered, and the
blue eyes filled with tears, in spite OF
their owner.
No person in his senses could for a
moment DOUBT what sne said, OF mistake
her sorrow for acting.
upon a low foot-st00l ear her lover. He
wheeled his chair around, and bent over
her.
"You seem sorry, May" he said.
She raised her head quickly.
"Wny should l not be?' she asked.
surprise in her voice. sit was your
gift"
"You really priced my gift, then?" he
asked again.
"Why, OF course did, Herbertl Why
do you ask such questIonW
"For a good reason, as you will see.
Aud now L wish TO ask you still another
one; do you love meW
"YOu know that / do. Have l not
told you SO again and againw
"Are you sure that you have not made
a mistake, and fallen in love with tue
wealth and not with the man?' he said. |
She could only look at min bewil-
dered. Was he trying to tease her?
surely he could not have meant that! A
scarlet flush swept over her face at the |
thought. Could he think SO meanly of |
herS Ii he could, surely, then he did |
not love her.
"You do not either love or respect me-"
she said, at length, 'or you could never
wrong me SO cruelty as to ask me that" |
"Why, then, did you give that locket, |
my gilt, TO VIII Maynardf saw 1t upon |
tsI. ,ha In