The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-06-14
The Plot that Failed.

The room was one exquisite picture,
Of which beautiful May Frothihgham
formed fitting part. She stood near
the centre of the apartment-head bent
slightly forward, blue eyes shining, lips
and cheeks aglOw; she was listening for
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 until
she had seen him cross the street and
ascend the steps she had heard the SER
want 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, her
whole manner expressing fondest well
come, but the glad light faded from her
face and the outstretched hands dropped
nerveless at her side as she caught the
expression of his countenance; it was
pale and stern, and there was no light
of love in the dusky eyes as they met
her own; and his formal "Good even
ing, May" chilled her to the heart.
She did not, could not return his
greeting; she could only gaze at him in
Dewilderment. What could have so
changed him from the ardent impas-
stoned lover to this man who might be
carved from marble for all the warmth
he seemed to pOssessp
He did not seem to notice that she
had not replied to him, but walked
slowly past her, and threw himselfinto
low chair at the other side of the
room.
She turned slowly, following him
with her eyes, half-wsndering, a half
frightened look on her lovely face.
What could be the matter with him 4?
Was he i'll, or in troubleg 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.
care you i'll, Herbert?" she asked,
her voice tender and earnest.
He raised his head, the stern look
upon his face deepening; 1t sOftened
somewhat as he caught the plying look
upon hers; if this was acting, it was
certainly the perfection Of that art.
Could woman bestow such look upon
man she did not lover 1t did not seem
possible to Herbert Thayer; but had he
not almost proof positive that she was
trifling with him - that she loved
another, and only feigned the love she
expressed for him in order to win him
for his wealth. For although she lived
here in luxury, she had no fortune Of
her own, the amount left her by her fa-
ther would be mere pittance to
woman reared as she had been.
So it was quite natural, Herbert
thought, that she should wish 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 gentle
man of her acquaintance; go that he had
trusted and loved her, and the time
since their engagement, three weeks be-
fore, had passed as dream of bliss.
"Where is your turquoise locket?"
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 ofamazement flashed
over her face as she failed to find the
trinket. She sprang to her feet and
crossed the room to the mirror; no, 1t
was not there, and the fine gold chain
by which 1t had been suspended was
gone too. In vain she searched it was
not there.
al am sure don't know, Herbert" F"
she said, turning toward him. 81 am
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 1t
lastP"
Last evening; know that had it
then, for Julia Forest and her cousin,
Mr.. 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 to rubies. She arose and examined
the pattern and monogram; so you see
that am positive that had the locket,
and how It could have been lost | am
sure don't know l priced 1t so much,
toop
And the coral lip quivered, and the
blue eyes filed with tears in spite OF
their owner.