The Red Cloud chief., 1879-06-26

Goa, Of arms, and hi, ancestors and his
money. How does he ge; over tha. liz
tie affair # Mrs. Stoughton's di.nond9
s'pose he expects folks 10 visit bis
wife and ask no questions, once she's .
Grafton"
"Lswl IT'S the way Of the world: =
pretty face makes . man forget tres
passes and &c, rid Of his Judgment It's
no use quarreling with such things .,
our age. Grets'l make . 6ne lady,
and I mean TO pay my respects q, Graf-
ton Pisce directly; I'm jus, crazy 10
see how I'd look II the blue satin par
lor."
And all this time Gre,s had no. ven
consented. II is true, wealth and CON-
fort are alluring. She had told herself
tha, Providence would prvide, aud how
could she know bu; this was the
very provision made for her?
Il would be delightful, no
doubt, to enjoy such IN establish
ment as Graften Place. She remem-
bered what visions Of romance had &c
companied when she had rswb ed
through the quaint old-fashioned man
sion, which might easily boast q haunt
ed chamber; through the halls with the
''dim religious light" falling from paint
the dusty Graftons; pushed aside the
brocade hangings; drank from the Chi
ma that had outlived generations. She
recalled the great mirrors thai lined the
walls. the silver epergne upon the side
board heaped with fruit, the flashing
ivory of the piano, and the oder Of the
hot house flowers. And il might all be
hers at a word. Only let her say ..yes,"
aud she might wear her velyets and
laces with any lady in the land, drive in
her satin lined carriage, and hare serv-
ants under her, and all that heart could
desire. All? Yes, all but self-approval,
love, and Stephen So,herne. Still, let her
answer NO." and Stephen and love
would still be lacking, and hardship,
want, and public eisapproval be super
added.
"Tbe miserable little thief" thought
the exasperaie1 Mrs. Stoughton. "She
has played her cards 10 perfection, o
ening that old fellow into marrying her.
No doubt he'll rue the day, and serve
him right"
In the meantime, as Greta had lot
given him a refusal, Mr.. Grafton chose
to consider himself accepted. He con-
suited her about the wedding journey,
about the new servants TO be engaged,
as il the marriage was a matter OF course.
She acquiesced in his suggestions. but
she had no choice 10 make; she was
IL t. i'll NLa %~xan tnt ~
hard against it; she was making believe
that she could love him by-and by; bis
attention, his consideration for one SO
forlorn, his generosity, touched her
that was all.
One day Mrs. Stoughton's husband
returned home. 1t would seem as il no
event could have less effect upon Greta's
fortunes. She watched him walking by,
and wondered if Mrs. Stoughton was
glad 10 see him.
ANY news in Hampton?" he asked,
at his dinner-table.
"News enough. MI. Grafton is 60.
ing to be married, - returned his wife.
"That reminds mel must see Graf.
ton directly. Married. Ell? Well, hes
old enough. Who's the bride elect?"
"That little bussy, Greta LoriDg."
"Soitly, softly, my dear, it sound:
envious."
81 enyious of that little theft"
"Thief? What has Greta stolen
old Grafton's heart? Nobody knew hs
had one before. Perhaps she has only
developed q latent organ in him."
"Oh, Herbert, I am so sorry to tel
you'll never could make up my mind
TO write it; but she was at work here
Greta Loring-by-the way, l haven
paid her yet-and-and my diamond
ring was in the same room, and-it':
there vet, only the diamonds gone,
Nobody else had been in the house.
What could l 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
land you accused her of stealing the
diamond?"
81 wrote to her very kindly and con
siderately. She replied in q high anc
mighty tone, which was simply insult
ing. / put the a into Mr.. Grafton
hands,"
"Into Grdtton's hands, Well, ant
what did he say about it?"
"Say! Why, he's going to marry
herr"
"Looks as if you'd win your case
laughed Mr.. S%toughton, uneasily
"And so Greta is going to marry IN
} old fox. A pretty kettle of fish! NJ
dear, l really wish you had notified m
of your loss"
He took up his ha. and went on
grimly. He had a very disagreeabl
duty to perform, and he wanted it owe
with; it had spoiled his dinner, an,
that was enough. He knocked at Gre
ta's door.
"The diamond again." she thought
| "After ALL" he cogitated, "why no
, let well enough enough alone? Perhap
| she loves the fellow"
2 Greta bore herself like one with goo
news; q tender color trembled on he
/, cheek, q sort of suppressed joy shone i
her eyes. An open letter lay before heI
and Mr.. Grafton sat in her easy-chail
Mrs. Stoughton, watching from he
window, wondered what under the su
4; Herbert could have TO say that woul
/, take so long, and hoped he was givin
r Greta o piece of his mind, bat grew q
q the more bewildered when he and Nj
Grafton came out together and separate
without q word.
81 guess her cake is dough-" she cor
jectured.
q When Greta was left once more alon.
: she turned to her open letter, written j
r q strange hand:
Whet does this mean, my dearest Gret;
: l sometimes think I'm not quite sane We
;, aud it's all 8 fiction of my disturbed brail
Here l was, Just picking up from q fever,
q strange city when l received all my old lie
tiers and keepsakes from nv sweetheart, ar
not q word Of explanation. 1t was like
homb-sheil. I was out Of nv head for
4 month afterward. and small wonder. Gret