The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-09-23

with seveHRl cases in her hand, re-
marked, as she handed them to Mr..
Herbert,
"Here ana mammals diamonds. I
ran upstairs and got them, that you
might show US what you meant by rose
and table diamonds"
A sudden exclamation from Mrs. Le-
compton caused Mr.. Herbert to glance
up from the cases, whose fastenings
troubled him. She had risen from her
seat and stepped forward with extended
hands as if to snatch away the jewels.
Her face was ashy pale and her voice
quivered as meeting Mr.. Herbert's look
she endeavored to speak carelessly.
"Why. Lizzie, child" she began.
"what made you unearth those old
thingse''
''Old, mammas' echoed the daughter.
Eyes, oldr' repeated Mrs. Lecomp-
ton. sharply. Il have had them for
years and years!'
"How carefully you must have worn
them" observed Mr.. Herbert, chat
even the first polish OF the settings IS
undimmed.''
Mrs. Lecompton darted a swift look
at him, unseen BY all save Ruth, who
had faneied there was q sarcastic tone
in her uncle's voice. But he was ap-
parently intent on the stones. explain
ing by their help what he had before
said to Lizzie Lecompton, and her
mother looked unaccountably relieved.
and endeavored to join in the converse
ton, with sundry touching illusions to
/ tho fSunn vuHou door NJ a
compton" presented her with those dia-
monds. An hour later as Ruth passed
the open door of the library, her uncle
called her, and on entering she found
him directing an envelope.
"Ruth," he said, shave you time to
take this to the postoffice for me? l
shall not walk quickly enough to get
there before the next mail closes, and it
is of some Importance that it should 60
at once"
Eyes, indeed, uncle" answered the
girl Il will get my hat and be ready
in moment" And she ran off.
Mr.. Herbert had just lifted the envel-
ope from the desk to slip in the letter,
when Mrs. Lecompton came somewhat
hurriedly into the room through the
long window, which opened on the pi-
azza.
Excuse me, Mr.. HERBERT" she said,
II did not know you were here, and
merely came for the morning paper"
and coming up to the table she bent
over it, apparently searching for the
paper she wanted, but in reality to see
the address of the letter.
MIR. Herbert noted the action. noted
the sudden change in her countenance,
but politely handed her the paper she
had asked for, and inquired if she would
not sit down and read it there.
She, however. excused herself, saying
that her daughters were in the garden
sewing, and she had promised to read
to them, and departed as she came,
through the window.
Mr.. Herbert followed her retreating
form with q Multiplying expression
till reused by Ruth. who entered say
ing:
"Now give me the letter, uncle, and
I shall be there in time"
"Too late, Ruthie, dear. must tel
egraph. So will go myself"
"Why, UNCLE" exclaimed the girl.
II have plenty of time before the mail
closes. Was I too long in getting
ready"
"No, no, little one, don't blame
yourself" answered Mr.. Herbert, kind
ly. Il only mean that I have just
thought it will take the letter too long,
and so 1 will send a dispatch. Tell your
mother not to wait tea if should be de-
tained," and he walked away with such
an unwontedly wide-awake look that
Ruth gazed after him in establishment.
II wonder what has happened" she
thought. "If uncle would only keep
looking and acting like that, poor NAM
ma need not be worried with boarders. ="
At tea time Mr.. Herbert had returned,
anG Mrs. Lecompton was as suave and
unconcerned as ever. Toward the close
of the meal she turned to Mrs. Carey
and remarked:
"By the by. dear Mrs. Carey, re-
greet to say that we must leave you in
the morning."
leave u.s." repeated Mrs. Carey,
with look of bewilderment.
"Yes; have just received news
from q dear friend of ours that she has
taken a most charming villa for the
summer. and she claims the fulfillment
of an old promise that we shall spend
the entire season with her. II we leave
on the early morning train we shall just
be in time to meet her in the city and
90 with her to her new house"
Seeing that his sister was unable to
reply, Mr.. Herbert came to the rescue.
"That will be an agreeable arrange
ment for you," he remarked.
The words and tones we're courteous,
yet Ruth fancied she heard that same
sarcastic ring as in the afternoon.
30, perfectly charming" responded
Mrs. Lecompton. with her most gushing
air, but with another swift, searching
look. which, however, failed to see
anything more than that Mr.. Herbert
was calmly drinking his tea. and she
launched intoa rapturous description Of
her friend and her account of her new
residence.
| Poor Mrs. Carey's anguish of mind
found utterance in tears and sobs as
soon as she was alone with Ruth, who
with much difficulty persuaded her
mother to go to bed, and leave her to
attend to whatever their boarders might
need during the evening.