The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-06-04


evening in the glittering parquet of the
Academy of Music, the scented, diamond
sparkling crowd around her, the sound of
OF the great cantatrice's voice seeming to lift
her into boundless space.
Well" said Avis, brightly, "let us
play, just this once, that we are rich people.
Patti shall MARBLE us into Elysian, and we'll
forget-a little while, at least-that we be-
long to the hive of working bees"
Do We want to forget it, Avis?"
Of course we do ln said Avis.
oh, listen, John listen :" she cried,
scstatically. "Oh, if could always live
like this /"
The opera was " Faust" and as Patti
stood trying on the fatal box of trinkets be-
fore the glass, and warbling the delicious
"Jewel Song" Avis was aroused from her
trance of delight by slight confusion il
the adjoining seats.
man had made his way noiselessly
through the crowd, and laid his hand on
John Weldon's shoulder with an authorita-
tive pressure.
My friend he said, in low voice,
"you are wanted. ~
John started up, white and breathless.
Has anything happened ?" said he "Is
my sister i'll ?"
Now don't make FUSS" said the
stranger, turning back the lapel of his coat
far enough to display policeman's shield
/" And don't play innocent. It amt a-goin
to pay. You are arrested for stealing 9
iady's purse, and the quieter you come along
with me. the better it will BIO for all parties. u
So John Weldon was taken away to the
station-house, and Avis was carried faintinp
out into the lobby.
Was il q frightful vision or what was Il
that had thus blighted her dream of de.
light2
She was lying on the sofa the next noon
her throbbing head bandaged in cold water,
her heart full of sick terror, when the door
opened, and in came Rebecca.
You have been to the police court p
said Avis, starting up. "Oh, what did they
say? What does it oil mean 2"
" IT'S all right enough" said Rebecca,
slowly. No thanks to you, though, Avis
Benton! It's you and your senseless pride
that have brought this disgrace upon mar
who was never yet put to shame before his
fellow-creatures You see, there was rob
berry at Massey's, yesterday mornings
lady lost her purse with hundred dollars
pair of diamond earrings and these two
opera tickets in 1t. And the thief, it's likely,
flung away the tickets, lest they should be G
cline to track him, and the Evil One put em
directly IN your way, Avis Benton. For the
lady knew the numbers, and the police
were set on the track to see who presented
the tickets"
IL am very sorry I" sighed Avis, with
shudder.
But just MS they were cross-examinine
poor john" added Rebecca, Gin comes the
real thief, who had pawned the earrings
somewhere on the Bowery, and had the bills
still unchanged in his possession. And he
confessed everything, and of course John
was exonerated from all blame"
=" Is he coming back here ?" said Avis,
family.
Not until evening, of course. Why
should he? Hasn't he his business to at.
tend to ?"
Rebecca went away up stairs, and when
ihe came back the sofa was empty, and a
little note lay ON the table.
"DEAR REnEcoA,n it said {" 1 have gone
home. thank you for your kindness, but
l could not stay to face John after all my
folly, and the trouble in which l have in
solyed him. Please ask him to forgive poor
AVIS"
She was sitting in the farmhouse door,
three days afterward, feeding the brood of
little golden ducklings that crowded, with
soft chirpings, around her, when step
sounded on the soft grass and the garden
gate clicked cheerfully.
She started up with cry of joy.
"Oh, Johnw
He held out both hands.
" You are glad to see me, Avis p said he.
Not If you have come TO reproach me as
/ deserve" murmured Avis, bursting into
tears.
Never that, dear |" said honest John,
Still retaining tho cold little hand In his
"rve come to tell you how lonely the old
house seems without you. "pve come to
,sk You to go back there with me, as my
wife. VIII you, dear Ayis2"
"Oh, John But -Rebecca?n
I" Don't worry about Rebecca, said John
cheerily. "Rebecca says sho didn't know
until you were gone how terribly she should
miss you. Answer, Avis-will you go back
with me p
And Avis, averiing her eyes, whispered
"Yesn
So our little country lass went to the city
TO live after oil.
But she never again asked her husband to
lake her to the opera.
After oil, as John said, "There was a TT
ness in things !"-He:en Forrest G,avcs.