The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-06-11
BY HUGH WILSON AND W. G. BENET.


ring was in the same room, and-it's
there yet, only the diamonds gone. No.
body else had been in the house. What
could I thinkp 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.
diamond?"
Il wrote to her very kindly and con-
siderately. She replied in a high and
mighty tone, which was simply insult
ing. 1,put the case into MIR. Grafton's
hands"
"Into Grafton's hands! Well, and
what did he say about it?''
Say! Why, he's going to marry
her!"
"Looks as if you'd win your case"
laughed Mr.. Stoughton, uneasily. And
so Greta is going to marry the old fox.
A pretty kettle of fish! My dear, I
really wish you had notified me of your
He took up his hat and went out
grimly. 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.
"The diamond again." she thought.
AFTER ALL" he cogitated, why not
let well enough alone? Perhaps she
loves the fellow."'
Greta bore herself like one with good
news: tender color trembled on her
cheek, sort of suppressed joy shone in
her eyes. An open letter lay before her,
and Mr.. Grafton sat in her easy-chair.
Mrs. Stoughton, watching from her
window, wondered what under the sun
Herbert could have to say that would
take 50 long, and hoped he was giving
Greta piece of his mind, but grew all
the more bewildered when he and Mr..
Grafton came out together and separated
without q word.
81 guess her cake is dough-" she con-
jectured.
When Greta was left once more alone,
she turned to her open letter, written in
strange hand:
"What does it mean, my dearest
Greta?" it began. II sometimes think
I'm not quite sane yet, and it's all fic-
ton of my disturbed brain. Here was,
just picking up from a fever, in strange
city, when l received all my old letters
and keepsakes from my swe' theart, and
not a word of explanation. It was like
a bombshell. was out of my head for
q month afterward, and small wonder.
Greta, love you-loue you; so much
love was never meant to be wasted. The
hospital nurse kindly writes this for me,
since l can only swear that I am still,
and ever will be, your devoted lover,
STEPHEN SoTHERNE."
Mr.. Stoughton looked very sober when
he sat down to his tea table that night.
"I'm dying to know what Miss Greta
had to say for herself" remarked his
wife.
The stronger vessel smiled. "Your
tea, my dear, resembles the church
Laodicea-it is neither hot nor cold"
ut waited for you long enough to
cool. wonder you didn't see that you
were dc trop at Miss Loring's."
Il think maybe Grafton found me de
trop. In the mean time, my love, am
happy to restore your diamond" and he
passed a tiny box across the table.
Then she has confessed!" sparkled
Mrs. Stoughton.
"You jump at conclusions. Women
are fond of such gynlnastic exercises, /
hear. No; the confession comes from
your humble servant. l am the culprit,
Mrs. Stoughton. 1t was I who, wanting
some ready money for business purposes,
abstracted the diamond from your ring,
and pawned it to Mr.. Grafton. He ad-
vanced considerable sum upon it, and
I never meant you should know it till I
had redeemed it-perhaps not then.
After all, perfect confidence is the only
safe thing between you and me, l find.
Now we must go and beg Greta's par
DON"
"And Mr. Grafton"
1.-The blue satin parlor is mistake,
us well as: the boudoir; he will remain q
bachelor"
"How- how does he explain him
self?"
"All's fair in love and war, even Or
gerry. is his creed.",;
"Then Greta will return to her car
pets?
mot if Stephen Sotherne can help it. ;"
-Hnrper'S BGzar.