The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-08-31

heaps; low luxurious chairs: tiny white
| statuettes; frowning brOrhes; gilded
| pictures; rare Persian druS fets on the
inlaid floor as Magnificent
rs lavish expenditure, voluptuous taste,
and fanciful. artistic caprice could make
it.
The owner and sole inhabitant Of it
all was "Nlrs. Whymer Whiteman,"
her visiting cards announce, even after
she had laid aside her widows robes for
six long months. This dashing. stylish
widow was standing before her dress
| ing mirror rs she issued her order Ia
her maid, carefully arranging the fluffy
ebon fringes of hair on her forehead
Marie courtesied, then glanced depre-
catingly at her indulgent mistress.
"And NJ. ARLINGTON? Madame for@cts
the appointment for eleven in the morn
ing! Is it not ut home To him also?"
Mrs. Whiteman laughed.
you good creature! How faithfully
you remember everything! OF course l
am always ut home to Harry king!
Have the drawing-room curtains drawn.
| Marie, before he is shown in, or he may
discover how passe am growing"
riied surprise.
Madame passe! Never. even in the
horrible sunlight! Such hair, such
eyes, SUCH"
Mrs. Whiteman waved her two fin
gers deprecatingly.
There, Mare-sullicient.'
And rs the girl Withdrew. she turned
away from the mirror to her favoritc
chaG.
81 suppose the girl wants to retain
her position after am married again
married to Harry Arlington. And |
will marry him, despite current rumor
to the effect that he wears the willow
in his heart for Winnie Warren
She yawned behind her lace handker-
chief, then drew her watch from her
belt.
Mine O'Clock only. How barbar-
ously early! imagine no, even the
prospect of big bargain, such as
tempt me to my chocolate SD heathcn-
ishly soon again.
She was deeply immersed in favor
tie novel when Marie raped on the
door. and admitted Il tall graceful girl
III deep sable garments.
you NAV retire, Marie. have been
waiting. Miss Warren; and rs have
al engagement mt eleven, you may show
me the jewels at once"
If Winnic's face flushed under the i'm
perious iequest, she made no sign be-
yond quietly removing her veil, and
placing small ebony casket
on little cOmmode at Mrs. Whiteman's
side.
II will not detain you mao j. = she
said in her own sweet psoui way.
There are the jewels, my sole depend
ence since our misfortune and
''Oh, know all about that. Unlock
it. Yes-I always admired that pearl
and emerald set, although can't wear
them. remember you used"
Winnie's lips grew tenser and more
naughty as she interrupted the painful
"Reminiscences.
''Here are rubies, madame, and opals,
and amethysts. You can wear any or
all of these"
$50 can, especially rubies. l re-
member when you wore those once Mt
Mrs. Maysels with black lace. Mr..
Arlington was your escort. You used
to look down on me in those days,
didn't you? And now"
A cutting smile cleaned evilly over
the woman's brilliant face rs she tOyed
with the glowing red jewels. and Win
MES eyes flashed like swords in the
moonlight-cold rs steel.
I'VE will not discuss our opinions if
you please, Mrs. Whi.eman. Enough
that never change my views of per-
SONS or things because of the chances of
fortune. Will YOU take the rubics?'
Mrs. Whiteman's keen black ewes
rovcd among the contents of Winnie 8
casket.
$50 you don't change your views?
Then it is presumablc YOU are rs much
in love with Mr.. Arlington rs ever?
Oh. what an exquisite thing! My own
initials too-.W. Wand just my
shade of pilk! III take this locket, at
all events"
But Winnic's hand, cold and trem-
bling, reached out.
"No. not that. did not know it was
there Not that. Mrs. Whiteman."
"Why not? You profess To be in need
of what THESE jewels will bring yon. and
here you refuse the only one really
want. Perhaps and the black eyes
sparkled malcionsly -''perhapS it was
q present from from Mr.. Arlington.
Winnie rose in stately col,lnes>.
''Since you seem incapable OF .liSasso-
ciating Mr.. Arlington from your own
private affairs. | will not dlctain YOU
longer. You cannot buy the locke; for
gold. Do you wish anything else?'
She was SO high, SO naughty in her
calm dignity, that Mrs. Whitcman ac-
tually admired her. Besides, the rubes
were bargain.
"Well, since feel shall be doing Il
duty, will take the rubies. Call to-
morrow, ard you shall have the check"
Winnie bowed as though she were
granting ROYAL favor.
Mrs. Whiteman swept the Jewels, ey- |
cepting the rubies, back into the cas-
ket; then she closed it, locked it, and !
handed the key to Winnie, who bowed, |
and left the apartment.
''Such = high-strung piece! ! Halter |
myself took some of the starch ont nj |
her. Now for delightful call from Mr.. |
Arlington, who will not have much |
trouble to induce me to change my |
name"
Grave. handsome. fascinating rs ev-
er. Harry Arlington leaned over the
pretty jewclled hand Mrs. Wh';eman
extended with eli'usion rs he came |
across the floor.
$50 prompt! But then you gentlemen
always are, where you want to be"
She seated herself where the light
was most artfully shaded.
"YOu haven't changed at all, MIR.
Arlington, in your year of absence. al
though there have been great changes
in other people myself for instance.
am positively getting old and faded,
1 caught Marie pulling gray hair out,
only this morning."
Mr. Arlington smiled grimly ut her
transparent angling.
''Gr.ly hairs do not indicate age by
any means. II they did, there are far
worse misfortuneS.
"Indeed. yes. You heard. of course,
of poor Mr.. Warrcn's trouble in the
bank. suppose? Lost everything, you
know, and then shot himself. How
lucky that Winnie was safely married
before it happened" /
His breath suddenly seemed stopped.
"Mlrre,l! Is Winnie married? Is
it poss,b e?"
She recognized the agony in his
voice with thrill of triumnb