The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-05-17
MiSCONSTRUED.


Van Duyp, and not little maliciously.
Nearer thirty than anything, isn't
she?" Mrs. Darlington asked.
"Thirty-one last September. l de-
clare 1 am surprised to hear she has de-
aided to marry"
''And they say Lennox Beaconswold is
= very great catch. I'm told-handsome,
popular, all that"
''Undoubtedly,' Mrs. Van Duyn con-
aescened. But, you know, what aston
ishes me is that Ida should consent to
marry anybody. She has such a horror
OF being married for money, and is so
very particular, and"
swell" said Mrs. Darlington, rising,
I'll believe it when l see Ida Ixion at
omous little relish in her thin voice. 1T
is surprising what little things often
break an engagement and some such
little trife would be sure to influence
Ida, even at thu last minute"
Especially as she is so jealous and
suspicious.
And while these two dear friends of
Miss Ixion were travelling over the bride
elect rough shod, that lovely little dark
eyed lady was thinking as she drove
down to FIi~olets to see about a purare
OF pearls that it was rather strange that,
after all of her resolves to remain single,
handsome Lernox Beac0nswold had in
abort order sent her vows of ten years
duration to the four winds of heaven.
Il do believe Lennox loves me truly
and sincerely, and yet, dare say every
love-sick girl thinks the same of her
lover l believe in Lennox so unhesi-
tstirgly when I am with him, but when
he leaves me there comes a chilling
doubt over me. But how could ever,
ever give him up?"
And on this very day the bridal dress
Was laying on the spare bed in the Ixion
mansion, the wreath of orange blossoms
and the point d'Alencon veil in their per-
fumed boxes, the wedding ring bought,
Abe festivities ordered-when Ida began
10 realize that her inevitable happiness
and misery was very near at hand.
my pearls, please" she said to the
clerk, as she went up to the plate-glass-
shielded counter.
''You will have to wait few minutes,
ma'am. Just sit down, please" he said,
rushing to wheel forward luxurious
cushioned chair from the wall where it
stood.
And so Miss Ixion sat down and waited
and not a second had elapsed before she
heard the voice of Lennox Beaconswold
from the private Office of the frm-a
walnut and plate glass, ralled off little
place not yard from her.
Her first impulse was to call him. She
half started up, then desisted.
"I'll wait until he comes out. He is
on some business or her"
Vnd then Mr.. Frisolet's voice, DELHI
crate full toned, musical:
"You don't mean to say you want to
back out of your engagement, Mr.. Bea-
conswold ?"
81 mean just exactly that, since you
put it so plainly. l would back out in
enc minute, if had the shadow of an
excuse"
And then Ida felt swift thrill, some
hing unutterably sickening, thrill all
over her.
"Why, it's too bad - Mr.. Frisolet said.
why, let me see. the wedding is to come
of only next week =
Yes, it is" Lennox said, calmly.
"Oh, but You can't back out of it noww
~ don't know about that" and Ida
knew just the expression of face that &C.
companied her faithless lovers express
sion. 81 rather think 1 shall, Mr.. Fris-
olet. A man is bound to do the best he
can for himself"
But, my dear fellow, what will Miss
Ixion say 2"
Then Mr. Beaconswold laughed-and
that cut Ida to the very Utmost soul
"Oh, she won't care I'll answer for
her"
"And she'll tell him So" Miss Ixion
decided, feeling she could endure it no
longer. Her cheeks we're burning, her
eyes blazing. as SIZE rose and went
towards the door of the private Office
not so private as it might have been, it
seems-just as the clerk came toward her
With a black velvet tray in his hand
Here is the pearl cross, ma am"
"The pearl CROSSE
Ida looked at him in q vague sort of
way. Pearlsl What were pearls to her
now?
''Never mind it, she contrived to say
somehow II am going-there!'
Il beg your pardon, masm"-in tones
Of amazement-"but nobody goes in
there except on business. It is Mr.
Frisolet's private Office"
81 have business, most i'm portant bust
pessi' she said imperiously. and swept
past the wondering visaged clerk, still
holding the tray in his hand whereupon
hay the pure, cleaning pearls. and into
Office where Mr.. Frisolet lounged on a
sofa-arm, and Mr.. Lennox Beaconswold
leaned against the mantel.
i Il -