St. Paul daily globe., 1886-03-06

succeeds and my expectations are realized,
you shall have set OF diamonds OF your
own. the very finest can purchase"
And Burton Conway stopped his hand
some head and kissed his wife's red lips.
There was a gTieved look upon her pretty
face. for Stella Conway was spoiled child,
who had never had a wish crossed; ands he
had set her heart upon this ball, which the
rich and aristocratic Mrs. Barclay was TO
give at her palace home.
Stella's vain little heart was full of the
ANTICIPATED pleasure. She had thought of
little else, and talked and even dreamed Of
the coming festivities; and now on the very
morning of the eventful day to be disap-
pointed i'm this fashion, il was altogether
too bad. for she had never attended any
place of amusement unaccompanied by her
husband. and to know that he must be alb
sent from the city was equivalent TO saying
that ali was over in regard to the ball.
1T is just provoking" pOuted the
pretty young wife-she was rosy blonde,
dainty aud dimpled-''too awfully prOvok-
ing that Burt must start of upon this par
| ticular day, when Tm quite sure another
will do just as well. Business! How l hate
the very word! And suppOSe"-she caught
her breath with a pang of terror at the very
thought-''SuppOse We do lose our fortune?
1t is small, but all we have 10 depend on
except Burtons law business; why, then,
Ill never have chance 10 go TO Mrs. Bar
clay's, for she's so rich and exclusive, she
would never invite US if we were poor"
Burton Conway was putting on his hat
and overcoat. He came TO her side now,
and took her in his arms.
"GoOd-by, darling" he whispered fondly.
''God grant may return successful! Pray
for me. little wife," he added, as he kissed
her tenderly again and again. She did not
return his kisses, but stood, hurt and cold,
her face half averted.
''GOOd-by, darling" he repeated, and
then he was gone.
Ah, had Stella Conway dreamed of what
was coming she would never have let him
20 without kisses and fond farewell words,
and assurance of affection. And she knew
not that the hour was drawing nigh when
she would have bartered her whole exist
ence for one of those loving kisses.
Once alone, Stella sank upon sofa. and,
hiding her face among the cushions, burst
into tears.
II will never forgive him." she painted
angrily. ''He might have postponed this
trip-I know il! Should our fortune really
be gone, he will have the satisfaction of
knowing that he has cheated me out of my
last amusement, and / will never pardon
him for it-neyer."
While she was indulging in her grief the
dOOr-bell rang. and the servant ushered in a
tne-looking, shOwily-dreSsed lady, Stella's
particular friend. Mrs. ThompsOn-a giddy
woman, but not willfully injudicious.
''Crying-I do believer she exclaimed.
"Why, Stella, what is the matter?"
Il can't-go-tO-the ball - tonight,
Marcia" faltered Stella. through her tears.
Not go? You are crazy, child! Why,
your dress is ready; and Minnie sent you
her diamonds in my care"
And she produced small casket and pro-
ceeded to open it. The spectacle of the Jew
els upon their white velvet bed brought the
tears afresh to Stella's ewes. She wanted to
go-Oh. how she wanted TO go! Never before
i'm all her life had any pleasure seemed so
desirable. She thought OF her beautiful
costume and sighed plaintiyely as she re-
peated 10 her sympathiZing but thoughtless
friend the whole story.
Its just too horridr' stOrmed Mrs.
Thompson; land l say you shall gol
Listen, Stella. Your husband did not
think OF US. or he would have consented
10 let you 20 in care of Mr.. Thomp-
son and myself. There can be no harm.
dear. We will call for you i'm our
carriage tonight; and, Stella, if Mr.. Goa
way says anything. or is at all dlspleased.
leave him 10 me. / knew how TO manage
him. You will come, Stella? l shall Oe so
disappointed if you refuse"
And she pleaded so eagerly that at last
she won the young wife over 10 her way Of
thinking; and the result of the interview
was that the ThompSons' carriage stopped
for Stella that night, and, looking like n
~. -, H.. -.
with her friends 10 Mrs. Barclays.
1t was scene from fairyland. For two
hours Stella moved about i'm "a scene of de-
light. She danced, and promenaded. and
sang, and was quite the star of the evening;
and all the while undreamed OF by herself
the black clouds were gathering round her
young head.
Once or twice the thought occurred TO
her:
Burton knows by this time il he has
| succeeded or iailed-whether we are TO be
very rich or beggars. But" and a strange
light came into the pansy-blue eyes, IF we
are to be beggars, at least shall have the
delightful memory of this. my last ballr'
Poor child. it was indeed her last ball,
About midnight some one entered the
crowded ballroom in wild haste and an
eager voice asked anXiously for Mrs. Con-
way. Old DR.. Dent. the family physician
of the Conways, came TO Stella's side, pale
and agitated.
You must come, Ms. Conway" he
said, and Stella thought she had never
heard him speak so steTnly. IL have
bad news for yOn.''
She faced him with a wild cry. Some
thing told her the truth.
MY husband?" she painted.
"YeS. your husband tpardon me, madam,
If l seem brutal, but / must be brief is
| dying. 1t seems that he finished his busi-
ness in ST. Louis immediately. for he found
on his arrival there that his grand specula-
! ton had succeeded. and he was million
| aire. lie decided to return home at once.
| that he might attend you 10 this ball; so he
got on board the lightning express-whicl
reaches here at s o'clock. madam-thert
was collision, and-and-he is at your
home waiting for you"
Half an hour later she stood BY his side.
| Waiting-ah, yes, but the meeting would
not be here. for Burton Conway was dead
And (pitiful sight to the heart-broker
wifeD one cold hand grasped yelve
casket containing a magnificent set oi
! diamonds.
He had died alone, while she, in the
midst of a scene of revelry. had missed his
dying wordsl All. she would have laid hel
life down gladly TO have looked into hi:
eyes once more and have heard him say
Il forgive You. little wife.'' But regrets
were useless-it was too latel
A fortune was hers; he had won IL fol
her and placed it all in her name; he had,
too, the coveted diamonds-but oh, how
happy she would have been in cabin with
him who lay there before her with death:
mysterious seal upon his brow.
One year later beautiful Stella Conway
was taken TO an insane asy um, hopeless: