Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1889-09-07

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could not recognize the thief; it all
passed like fash"
LET us go home-to my home" said
Mary Devereux 1--WE can talk it all
over quietly there"
The return trip was gloomy one, in
marked contrast to the gayety Of the
outward journey. Arriving in Mrs.
Devereux's drawing-room. Miss Milling
ton flung herself disconsolately in an
easy chair and closed her eyes, thus
shutting out the vision Of this trouble
some world.
"How much money was in your
purseP" asked Mrs Devereux, in a SYM
pathizing voice.
Fifty dollars" replied Miss Milling
ton, with 8 deep sigh. "And 1t was
not my money at all; it was my aunts.
/ had drawn it from the bank just be-
fore came here. She needs Unjust
have it the first thing tomorrow morn
ng to pay the rent"
Il think persons in our set suppose
you and your aunt to be very well off, !"
said Mary, quietly; ''you dress so fash
ionably."
''Oh, / am handy and make things go
long way" explained Miss Milling
ton. my aunt supports me-she has
very small income-and now have
lost her $50! Oh, what shall l doP"
Mary Devereux was sadly perplexed.
She counted the money in her own
purse-$20.
'Dear Miss Millington," she said,
twill this be of any service to youP 1t
is all / have by me-"
Miss Millington gathered the crisp
bits Of green paper to herself, but
heaved another sigh OF despair.
Thanks" she murmured, family,
'but it is not enough. must have
$50. Then my aunt can settle her rent,
and ! will repay the sum by degrees
after / am married"
The case was so urgent that Mary
felt justified in going to her husbands
private desk, where, to her great de-
light, she found $25.
Miss Millington absorbed the finan-
cial reinforcement with some appear
ance of satisfaction, but her voice rang
with added tragedy as she queried
where the remaining S. were to come
from.
Never would the proposal have been
put by Mary Devereux that the SER
wants should be appealed to! 1t was
Miss Millington who suggested the ne
cessity of laying the case before them
as women and sisters Good creatures!
Their hearts were as soft as their hands
were hard, and between them the need
ed IS were without difficulty raised.
Scarcely had the arrangement reach
ed this happy conclusion than Paul
Devereux returned
"Still here, Miss Millington, " he ex-
claimed, in his pleasant hearty voice.
"Glad Of it. Stay to dinner and go to
the theater with us this evening"
And oh, such pretty present as he
had brought home for his wifeI A
handkerchief Of the finest French cam
brio with irill and entredeux OF Valen-
ciennes and the letter M embroidered
in one corner 'Just like my darling
husband!" said Mary Devereux, kissing
him furtively when Miss Millington's
back was turned.
At dinner Mary showed her new
treasure, which Miss Millington greatly
admired.
How sweetly pretty" she exclaim-
ed, examining the dainty mouchoir with
her eyeglass. Marked with your in
itial, MINNIE. too, by the way"
Zone which you will soon lose, u
quothen Paul, archly.
ooh, no. you mistake" she replied,
''my name is Matilda"
The dramatic performance was inter
esting. The three young people were
in high spirits until just as they were
departing, when Mary Devereux made
an annoying discovery. She had los
he new lace handkerchief.
Paul was more than annoyed; he was
downright angry. The little article
had cost money, and he said there was
no sense in losing it right off in this
way. He had seen it in his wife's laI
not five minutes before; whore could i
have gone TOP
The natural inference was that she
had dropped it, and all three looked
about the floor of the theater, whence
the crowd had now departed
"If it's found I'll save it for you,
said an employee Of the place, 'call to
morrow"
Meanwhile Paul's quick eye observed
a strange thing. Miss Millington, witt
was condoling with his almost tearfu
wife, kept her right fist tightly closed
but between the little finger and tn,
palm thereof a shred OF lace was visible
Without with-your-leave or by
your-leave Paul wrenched this articl
out of her grasp.
whats thisP" he cried.
It was the missing handkerchief.
'Is this a joker" he exclaimed, glar
ing angrily into the blanched face o
Matilda Millington.
The woman, who had covered gull
tily under his accusing glance, tool
heart OF grace at the word he kind!
used.
Yes, yes. quite So" she gasped, wit
historical laugh; "a joke-a mer
Joke"
ut is very bad one," he retorted
savagely.
The three walked in silence to tn
| street There Paul put Miss Millingto