Daily globe., 1879-06-01
s'Any news in Hampton9" he asked at

sNews enough. Mr. Grafton is going
to be married, returned his wife.
"That reminds me-I must see Grafton
directly. Married, eh? Well, he's old
enough. Who's the bride clect?n
''That little hussy, Greta Loring.'
"softly, softly, my dear; it sounds en-
vious.
~ envious of that little thief!''
"Thief9 What has Greta stolen-old
Grafton's heart? Nobody knew he had
one before. Perhaps she has only devel-
oped latent organ in him.
"Oh, Herbert, I am so sorry to tell you
never could make up my mind to write
it; but she was at work here--Greta Lor-
ing-by -the-way, haven't paid her yet
l-and-and my diamond ring was in the
same room, and--it's there yet, only the
diamonds gone. Nobody else had been
in the house. What could think? Of
course she stole it,. though she brazens it
out as she does
Mr.. Stoughton turned ash-color, laid
down his fork, and stared at his wife.
"And you accuse her of stealing the dia-
monde
81 wrote to her very kindly and consid-
erately. She replied in high and
mighty tone, which was simply insulting.
I put the case into Mr.. Grafton's hands, y
'Into Grafton's hands! Well, and what
did he say about it?'
Say! Why, he's going: to marry herr, ;,
laughed Mr.. Stoughton, uneasily. "And
so Greta is going to marry the old fox
A pretty kettle Of fish! My dear, really
wish yon had notified me Of your loss. .
He took up his hat and went out grim
ly. He had very disagreeable duty to
perform, and he wanted it over with; it
had spoiled his dinner and that was
enough. He knocked at Greta's door.
s'rhe diamond again." she thought.
CATER all, he cogitated, 'why not let
we'll enough alone? Perhaps she loves
the fellow
Greta bore herself like one with good
news: tender color trembled on he1
cheek, a sort of suppressed JOY shone in
her eyes. An open letter lay before her
and Mr.. Grafton sat in her easy y-chair.
| Mrs. Stoughton, watching from hel
window, wondered what under the sur
Herbert could have to say that woulc
take so long, and hoped he was giving
Greta piece of his mind, but grew al
the more bewildered when he and Mr.
Grafton came out together and separated
without word.
/ II guess her cake is dough- she con
ljectured.
When Greta was left once more alone
she turned to her open letter, written il
strange hand:
"What does it mean, my dearest Greta?'
it began. 81 sometimes think Pm no
quite sane yet, and it's all fiction o
my disturbed brain. Here I was, jus
picking up from fever, in strange city
when received all my old letters ant
keepsakes from my sweetheart, and not
, word of explanation. It was like
bomb-shell. I was out of my head for
month afterward, and small wonder
Greta, / love you-love you: so muc1
love was never meant to be wasted Tn
hospital nurse kindly writes this for me
since can only swear that am still, an
ever will be, your devoted lover,
''STEPHEN SoTHERNE.'
Mr.. Stoughton looked very sober whe
, he sat down to his tea table that night.
"I'm dying to know what Miss Gret
had to say for herself,' remarked hi
wife.
f. The stronger vessel smiled 'sYour te
my dear, resembles the church of Laod
cea-it is neither hot nor cold''
r 'It waited for you long enough to COO
= I wonder you didn't see that you we1
de trop at Miss Loring's."
; II think maybe Grafton found me &
! trop. In the mean time, my love, I al
. happy to restore your diamond" and
passed a tiny box across the table,
s'Then she has confessed!'' sparkle
Mrs. Stoughton.
D "You jump at conclusions. Wome
are fond of such gymnastic exercises,
, hear. No; the confession comes frol
+ your humble servant. L am the culpri
5 Mrs. Stoughton. 1t was who, wantin
; some ready money for business purpose
> abstracted the diamond from your rim!
o and pawned it to Mr.. Grafton. He az
T vanced considerable sum upon it, and
E never meant you should know till I ha
q redeemed it-perhaps not then. Aftt
all, perfect confidence is the only sal
: thing between you and me, find No
! we must go and beg Greta's pardon
. "And Mr.. Grafton
"The blue satin parlor is mistake,
, we'll as the boudoir; he will remain
. bachelor!"
i "How-how does he explain himself
q Calls fair in love and war, even forge,
is his creed.'
n "Then Greta will return to her carpets
: "Not if Stephen Sotherne can help it