The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1878-11-05

place at the table again. She was look
ing poorly. None felt this more keenly
that did Hester, and in consequence she
hated Madaline Carter most deeply
How the little play would end she did not
know, but she thought to herself that in
it she would not be an idle character
that she would help the plot to speedy
announcement, il possible.
How strange it was that Ralph Moori-
son, who had absented himself from the
house during Aice's illness, should make
his appearance on the drst evening which
she spent down stairs. To Arthur Lund
it was inexplicable. To all appearances,
it was the same to Madeline. But Hes
ter was content to watch without won
dering.
4 Alice Lund was lying upon the So
ia when Mr.. Ralph Morrison was an
nounced. And her husband was neal
enough to her to see the faint color
arise in her cheeks at the mention OF
his name. With quick, hurried glance
about him, Mr.. Morrison bent over AL
ice and whispered a few words, When
he turned away, Hester went at once To
her
"Tell me what he said, Alice dear"
she began. taking her hand.
That he was happy to see me in
the parlor again." she answered, rails
ing her eyes wondering to Hester's
| face.
"And was that all p
"All2" (still wonderingly
"That is well. Sometime you shall
know why l asked YOU
Madaline clenched her white hands
together, and under her breath cursed
Hester Lund. For what, she knew
not. The girls face was unreadable as
sealed book. There was nothing to
be gathered from that. Perhaps her step
was little Grmer, her head always fine.
| ly carried, she took more confident
poise, as she turned from Alice TO her
seat again. There was something, at
any rate, that Jared with Madalinc's
thoughts All around, it was an un-
pleasant evening. But Mr.. Morrison
was never more witty or entertaining.
TO Hester it seemed dull, and she knew
that it was the same to her brother, that
aside from Alice he cared little for the
company. His Dyes constantly sought
her face. His head was bent towards
her as he spoke. Once In while. as
though suddenly conscious Of betraying
too deep an interest, he would turn his
face towards Madaline. but 1t would be
for few moments only, and then to Al
ice again.
When he turned to leays the room that
night he drew his handkerchief from his
coat pocket. and as he did 30, delicate
little note dropped to the carpet, close at
superscrlpiion ~ Was -. -, -.
cate penmanship of Alice 7! He put his
foot on the note and bowed Mr.. Morri-
son from the room For a moment he
stood as white as marble. The perspi-
ration gathered ia large drops upon his
forehead. His lips were tremulous, but
not with speech. He knew then, when
she seemed to 90 forever from him, how
deeply and well he had loved Alice that
his passion for Madaline was no more to
that, then is the first breath of spring to
the rich glow of midsummer. He gath.
cred the note in his hand and crushed it
there.
"What is it, Arthur ?" whispered Hes
ter, softly.
lie waved her away with his hand
His eyes sought Alice.
"Not now" she said
He trned around. Madaline had stolen
quietly from the room
"Yes, now!" he said almost fierce
ly.
Alice looked up and he went TO her
"You are no longer my wife, he said
looking into her white face. as he spoke
She started up wildly. As if to crush
her down again, he held the note before
her eyes. She read:
"DEAR RALrn--I shall be down stairs
this evening. Ifyou love me come!
ALICE
81 never wrote it. Arthur-Arthur
believe me-" she cried, sinking back upor
the sofa in deep swoon.
"You have killed her" said Hester, a
, he turned away.
He rushed out of the house, down thu
praveled pathway into the street. Ill
/. did not know or care where or which wa.
: he went. SO he wandered about til
nearly midnight. He was drinking from
the same cup that he had pressed t
Alico's lips
Morrison's heart blood should pay
for the wrong" he said to himself il
the heat of his mad passion. Then h
thought ,of Madaline. instinciively h
cursed her, and then himself in turn. A
, last he turned towards home. He gain
ell it by a roundabout way that led hin
to back gate situated in the remotes
, part OF mis- grounds. He entered
! nolslessly. Walking slowly up tn
i smooth path, densely shaded upon eithe
/. side, he caught the sound of voices. III
, first thought was, that Alice might b
there keeping tryst with Ralph Morn
son. He listened shuddcringly. Behin
, the thick screens of rustling trees ant
shruhbery, Morrison and Madaline wer
+ talking. How long they bad been Their
lie had no idea. But they we're talkin
n of him, he thought, Hearing his nam
. mentioned, he moved more closely to
wards them. :,
The plot deepens,' Madaline said
81 had no idea that it would work s
4 we'll. You have acted your part nobi,
b Ralph.'
"Why should not? Alice Thur
O low did not turn from my hearts bes
l.. l.. -