River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-06-05

'That little hussy, Greta Loring
"Softly, softly, my dear; II sounds en-
vious.
"I envious of that little thiefln
Thief What has Greta stolen49ole
Grafton's heart? Nobody knew he haC
one before Perhaps she has only deyel
oped latent organ in him.
'.Oh, Herbert, | am so sorry TO tell you
| never could make up my mind to write
it; but she was at work here--Greta Ler-
ing-by -the-way, haven't paid her yet
-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 I Think OF
course she stole it; though she brazens ii
out as she does"
Mr. Stoughton TUNED ash-colof, laid
down his fork. and stared at his wife.
and you accuse her of stealing the dia-
mondIn
II wrote to her very kindly and consid-
erately. She replied in high and
mighty tone, which was simply insulting.
l put the case into Mr. Grafton's hands. =
''Iato Grqfton's hGiadsi WE'LL 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.
4 pretty kettle Of fish Ny dear, really
wish yon had notified me of your loss. :
He took up his hat and went out grim
". lie had a very disagreeable duty 10
perform, and he wanted it over with; 1t
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 alonel Perhaps she loves
the fellow
Greta bore herself like one with good
news: tender color trembled on her
cheek, a sort of suppressed joy shone in
her ewes. 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 so 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 a word.
Il guess her cake is dough" she con-
jectured.
When Greta was left once more alone,
she turned to her open letter, written in
a strange hand:
"What does it mean, my dearest Greta?'
it began. II sometimes think I'm not
quite sane yet, and its all fiction of
my disturbed brain. Here | was, just
picking up from d fever, in a strange city,
when | received all my old letters and
keepsakes from my sweetheart, and not a
word of explanation. 1t was like a
bomb-shell. | was out of my head for
month afterwarl, and small wonder.
Greta, love you-love you: so much
love was never meant to be wasted. The
hospital nurse kindly writes this for me,
since | can only swear that am still, and
ever will be, your devoted lover,
"STEPHEN SoTHERNE.n
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 OF Laodi-
cea-it is neither hot nor cold
1T waited for you long enough To cool.
l wonder you didn't see that you were
de trop at Miss Loring's.'
II think maybe Grafton found me de
trop. In the mean time, my love, am
happy to restore your diamond, and he
passed d tiny box across the table.
Then she has confessed" sparkled
Mrs. Stoughton.
You Jump at conclusions. Women
are fond of such gymnastic exercises, |
hear. No; the confession comes from
your humble servant. am the culprit,
Mrs. Stoughton. 1t was who, wanting
some ready money fot business purposes,
distracted the diamond from your ring,
and pawned it to Mr.. Grafton. He adj
vanced considerable sum upon it, and
never meant you should know till | had
it-pefhaps not then. After
all, perfect confidence is the only safe
thing between you and me, find. Now
We must go and beg Greta's pardon
And Mr.. Grafton"
''The blue satin parlor is a mistake, as
we'll as the boudoir; he will remain
bachelor!'
'How-how does he explain himselfl'
"All's fair in love and war, even forgery
is his creed
''Then Greta viii return to her carpetsG'
NNOt if SfeDhpn SOtherne can HELM if :