The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-09-22


fruitIess search for her glove, dressed her
self in her prettiest home costume for the
evening, soft lace clinging to her round,
white throat and falling over her wrists,
her golden hair in fluffy baby curls over her
low white forehead, and most bewitching
little knots of ribbon adjoining her dress
here and there.
Dinner was delayed twenty minutes, but
Horace did not come. Nor did he appear
that evening or the next, or for many long
days, during which Amy smiled in public,
and wept many bitter tears in the seclusion
of her own room.
It added to her trouble that Ralph Tai
ford, in those days, fairly haunted her. He
seemed to know by intuition every time she
left the house. and joined her ON the street,
in shops, or at friends houses where she
called. At the theatre, he came to her
side; at concert, opera, party, wherever she
went, he was lowering about her; and yet
there was no opportunity to avoid him, nc
reason to dismiss hims She could scarcely
tell him his presence was distasteful, and
she had no excuse for GOODNESS, although he
felt most keenly that there was not one
hinge of encouragement in her manner foi
,ven the most infatuated lover.
More than once Mr.. Goodman had tried
to find out the cause of Horace Ashton's
sudden cessation of his visits, but could get
nothing more satisfactory than, lawfully
busy just now till all hours of the night"
Katie limited at lovers quarrel, but Amy's
unfeigned amazement convinced her that
there was no snch reason.
january, February, half of March passed,
and Amy had seen Horace only in crowded
parlors or public places, where he was SIM
ply courteous, giving her no chance to ques-
ton him. Indeed, she could scarcely have
done SO had she met him alone. He had as
yet given her no right to reproach him, and
she could only keep her secret closely shut
in her grieved, sore heart, and wonder that
she could have so mistaken the meaning
of his former lover-like attentions.
1t gave her start, half glad, half angry,
to find him standing close beside her, one
cold March day, at the glove counter at the
store of Higgins d Norris" They ex.
changed a few remarks on the weather, till
Horace handed the gloves he had selected
o the salesman who cried;
Cash-No. IA"
Bright, tiny MS ever, Harry Ryan sped
away to the other side of the store, but re-
turning presently, looked into Amy's face
Please, did you get your glove and ring
that day?" he asked, and Horace stopped to
listen as Amy cried:
My glove and ring! Did l lose them
here? Did you find them ?"
Yes. Didn't the tall gentleman with
the mustaches give them to you2 / gave
them to him. 1t was long yailer glove,
and felt ring inside"
Aunt Ruth's ring" Amy said, turning
to Horace. g lost it here, it appears, Just
before Christmas, and this boy gave it to
Mr.. Talford.n
G see" Horace said, an eager light in
his eyes. "Tell me your name and address,
my boy. You shall not lose anything by
your honesty"
Oh, he give me dollar" said Harry.
showing all his teeth in broad grin
But" with sudden gravity, 81 say, he
must ha' been sneak. Why didn't he give
her" nodding at Amy, back her things
couldn't find her, it was such mn awful
rush that day. But, lor', thought he was
real swell, not blasted thief"
May see You home ?" Horace asked
humbly, when Amy released Harry, 81
must speak to you"
And when they reached home, he spoke
at last to some purpose, telling Amy his
love, and the misery of the last three
months.
II saw Mr.. Talford always beside you,"
he said, "and he wore your ring several
times when he could let me see it upon his
<sger. I could not fail TO recognize it,
Amy, and what could think but that you
had taken it from your finger to give to
him, sign of betrothal. You give me the
right now to demand its return, my dar-
ling ~
But she would not thrust his temper 80
far, and it was Mr.. Goodman who demand
ed the ring, with frankly expressed opin-
ion of Mr.. Talford's retaining SO valuable
gem, knowing its owner.
But "Cash No. "a (" was by no means
forgotten. Mrs. Ryan's temper grew posi-
lively sweet under the patronage Amy be-
slowed upon her, Mamie had wheeled
hair and Injuries she had never imagined
,ould fall to her lot, and Harry was taken
into Horace Ashton's own employment, and
advanced rapidly until he, too, stood be-
hind counter and called "Cash!" while
Mrs. Amy Ashton never fails to have a
pleasant smile and word for him whenever
she visits her husbands store.
Mr.. Talford found it convenient to go
abroad. Somehow the story leaked out,
though all the parties concerned are quite
sure they g never mentioned it, except in
the strictest confidence"