The Red Cloud chief., 1881-06-30

ohe witness OF his lunacv. The
little girl, MOllie Burke, fastened back
to the milliner: but her heart failed her
as she came in sight of the forewoman's
sharp counteDance, a very Miss Kway's
Tor acldity. She handed ND the g
velope, without a word.
where's the bill, child?''
"She didn't send any," faltered Mol
lie.
The forewoman uttered an inpatient
exclamation, "Some people are the
carelessest!' Then, turning to the
book-keeer: "Miss Green. You'll have
to make out a new bill and send il, re-
ceipted, to Miss Darcy"
Mollie heard the name, and wished
she could have told her b~enefactor,
who, perhaps, might know the lady.
Meanwhile. Mr.. Merrick had locked his
library door, placed the bonnet upon
his table, and established himself in his
e~asy-chair directly in front of it. His
eyes We're fixed on his purchase, but his
thoughts were a mile away. Yes, it
was just about a mile from his house to
the home of Agnes; aud it was two
weeks since he had ascenGed that long
flight of steps or seen Agnes face ut
the window. Two weeksi Two wears,
rather, it seemed TO him. Why, three
months ago he had thought himself the
happicst man that ever walked the
streets Of New York. The most beau
tiful woman in the world, the only per-
feet one, belonged to him. And now a
few has:y. angry words had parted
them forever. What had they quar-
reed about? He could scarcely re-
member.
but he hal been jealous, and she had
re ,ented it. She had said she would
see him again, and he must abide
by her word. With his steady gray
ewes fixed ~sternly on the cOqucttish
bonnet, he remained for ne;rly an hour
? lost in reyeric, until his sister called
him 10 supper. Then he came out of
the library, locking the door behind
him.
What have you got Looked up in
there?n demanded the gay little lady
who presided over his bach lor estab-
lishm mt.
"Oh, my papers are lying all about,
and don't want things disturbed" re-
piled Mr.. Me, rick.
lic UtNb udN WI. NlCl ~ tloCNtu up
his purchase before going to business;
but the following morning he was called
away suddenly, and went ont leaving
the bonnet in full view on The table.
lie had been i'm his office two hours be-
fore he remembered that the key of the
library was in the door, and not in his
pocket. About an hour after his de-
parture, his sister Ethel, entering the
room, with a gay song on her lips,
stopped short in establishment, and the
tune died abruptly.
"A lady's bonnet! Hugh Mcrrick'
Agnes Darcy was quite right to break
of the engagement. Where did the
wretch get it?"
Approaching the table, she lifted the
damaged article and scrutinized it care
fully.
well | never! Can it be her bon
net? That is certainly her turquoise
buckle that she wore all last winter.
The mystery grows. How did Hugh
get possession of this:"
8 AT the very time that Ethel Merrick
|, was p~uzzling her brain over Miss Oar
cy's Easter bonnet, in a daintl.y-fur-
! nishei boudoir. a little further UP the
,, avenue, a sweet-facei girl was knitting
her brows over another phase Of the
same mystery. ROBBED in a morning
!, wrapper of palest blue, vastly becoming
10 her roscate complexion and soft gold
> locks, she sat before her Davenport,
|, looking with the most puzzled expires
|, sion at 4 slip of paper in her hand.
: AUNT Helen! Come here 4 minute
, please" Then, as a portly lady ii
; walking dress appeared inthe doorway
she held out the sheet 10 her. :Sc
|, that receipt from Nine. Clare for N,
= Easter bonnet"
-, Il did not know that your bonnie
=, had come, my dear" said Mrs. Darcy
as she glanced at the receipt.
: That is the funniest part OF it. Til
= bonnet has not come, and l have eel
tainly never pad for it; and yet her
is the recent. What can it mean?'
Shall stop at Clarc's and see abou
itg' asked Mrs. Darcy, unable to solv
the mystery.
! IF You have time; but don't do
. unless it is perfectly convenient. NJ
= old bonnet will do perfectly well 70
} next Sunday" Anda cloud came owe
I the lovely face.
.sYou don't seem to care about any
:, thing, Agnes, since you quarreled wit
Hugh Merrick. L thought you ha
= more pride. Perhaps YOU will make
= all up again before Sunday. and the
= YOU will wish You had your bonnet"
Don't speak of that, please, Aur
! Helen" And Miss Darcy's voice wa
= decided. though sweet. 81 do not e'
. meet TO renew my engagement with Nj
q Merrick. He has doubted me. An
u tears rose TO the blue eyes and Mis-
: Darcv had TO swallow a lump in he
IL throat. as she turned away.
Miss Merrick to see you, Mis-
rnosm said a maid at the door.
:, tgnes received her visitor with som
soc,et trepidation, though outward
composed.
N II will forgive you. you naught
" q;rl. for breaking my poor brother
e heart, on n condition" said Ethe
viyaciously.
is ..Of course. youknow. Ethel" bega
:; Miss Darcy, with dignity.
"a -"Neyer mind. Only let me see YOU
T. snrinr bonnet, and we'll be friends"
III %. wish / could" said Agnes. som
er what hurt by her friends levity; ..br
Is Madame Clare has jus. sent me a r,
=. ceipt for a bonnet l have never see
~ nor paid for."
"How funnym cried the volatil
n Ethel. There's witchcraft in il
70 Then come home with me and sc
er mine. Ca, You needn't be afraid
Hugh never comes home in the morn
tt ing. I'm not plotting against YOU"
in Somewhat against her judgmcn:
is Miss Darcy consented. and was 500
nix WALKING along tie venue with he
D. friend; bat whcn they hal entered tn
house. and Ethel led the way to III
ne ibrarv, Agnes drew back.
ok No, Ethel, ! have no wish TO ente
hit your brothers ROOM"
y: But You must, nv dear, or yo
If cant see nv bonnet" And Ethe
le. whirled her faintly-res sting coupanio
Id INTO the library, and exclaimed, triun
~phantly: There! Ism it a beauty
Somewhat crushed, You perceive; bu
IS, easily set to rights. Never saw me i
Nv a blue bonnet BEFORE" ratified on tn
IN merry little brunette. But Miss Dare