The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-02-07
"Lnces, my lady, at bargain" answered

"Laces, my lady, at q bargain" answered
the woman, in q curious, drawling accent
She opened the fiat leather case that she
carried, revealing closely packed mass Of
lace, such as might gladden. the heart Of
an old connoisseur.
Natalie Wynford was only a woman, and
for the time being she forgot all else as she
knelt on the floor, amid the filmy, creamy
folds, with Migart bending over her, clasp
ing her hands, and uttering little monosyl-
Liable EXPLANATIONS at every new pattern OF
! Valenciennes or edge Of Honitonj the
dark, furtive eyes of the foreigner were 81
lently and swiftly scanning everything in
the room, until at last they fell on a small,
embroidered wall-packet, hanging close to
the window, out of which peeped little
rose e-colored packet, tied with faded pink
ribbon--a packet whose outside sheet bore
the struggling handwriting of Juanita Vane.
al beg your pardon" the woman sudden
ly uttered, in coarse, repressed voice,
"but feel faint. May l ask for a glass Of
water7 May venture to open the win
dow ?"
Migart rushed for the water. Natalie
turned sharply around.
"Where's my cologne-bottle ?" said she.
al hate scenes"
In the meantime the tall, foreign woman
had opened the window, and leaned one
moment heavily against the wall.
"It's all over now," she said. "Pardon |
1t is only vertigo. I am sorry to haye
alarmed you. Will you please make Sc
lection, and promise you the price will
suit"
Natalie Wynford smiled complacently as
the door closed behind the travelling yender.
"I don't think she had any idea at all Of
the value of her wares" said she. "And do
you know, Migart, l half suspected, once
or twice, it was man in disguise"
"0h, miss"
ait isn't SO very unlikely. You know
they run a great deal of risk by this sort of
business but it's noting to me, one way or
the other, SO long as get superb lace at one
quarterit's value"
And Miss Natalie Wynford returned to
the making up of her account, well pleased
with herself and the rest of the world.
And it was not until nearly a week after
ward, when incensed at Juanita Vane's de-
liberate defiance she went to her wall
packet to take out the four love-letters, that
she discovered they were gone-gone, utter
and irrevocably-gone without the shadow
of doubt. And Miss Wynford could only
lay it to magic.
From the Wynford door-stone the foreign
woman went straight to the residence Of
Mr.. Gerald Knighton, where she presently
issued, changed into tall, six-footed speci-
men of masculinity, and proceeded, leisure
ly smoking cigar, to Juanita.
"Here are your letters, Nita. Four Of
them, believe"
Juanita clutched eagerly at them, with
crimsoned cheeks and sparkling eyes.
"oh, Gerald, how did you ever get
them ?"
al have more ways and means than you
dream Of, little one. Now, what are yor
going to pay for them-a kissH"
"Twenty thousand, if you want, dear
dear Gerald"
And the impulsive little fairy clung abou
him, sprinkling his brow and cheeks with {
tender dew of kisses.
"Oh," she cried, when at last she wa
forced to deslst to take breath. "How
shall enjoy defying that dragon of a Ma
talie."
"Do you want sword to pierce he
through ?"
al don't understand you, Gerald"
"Ask her, the next opportunity, how sh,
, likes her last bargainiin laces."
Juanita, didn't quite comprehend; bu
she had the lesson to heart, and smilingl
put the question to Miss Wynford, Whel
next they met, in full dress ball.
Natalie started, turned very red, and bi
her lip. She was quick at putting two an
, two together, and she saw it all now.
> "Was-was it Gerald KnightOn2" ?" sh
: asked hoarsely.
"Really, don't understand your mean
ing" said Juanita saucily.
4 She didt care for Natalie's black look
now that she was out of her powerj an
taking Charles Martiland's arm, she foate
away with glance of triumphant defiance
Il that entered like barbed arrow into Ma
, tales soul.
Between them, they have outwitte
/" Natalie Wynford muttered betweeI
her set teeth.