Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1890-01-13

lest you should ever repent. Oh! if you
should do that! If there should be only
poverty-that is woe-before your
I should prefer that to veal with
Grant or any other man, she says softly,
with such a light in her eyes as he had
never seen there before.
The day wanes slowly; and night draws
near with reluctant footsteps. Nadine,
standing before her glass, is conscious of
} thrill of satisfied vanity as she sees the
lainty vision that is gazing back at her.
All in white the vision stands: simply
lad thing in virgin muslin but with
lace above it beautiful as dream. That
It is her own face rejOices the heart of
Nadine.
The many guests accommodating for to-
morrow nights ball have all arrived, and
it is with fiutter at her breast that
Nadine takes q last glance at her charm
ing person, and clasps round her neck the
diamond cross-Paul Annerley's first gift
20 her 1t had been deemed by her too
grand an ornament to be worn on the ear
lier evenings here, when only a simple
black grenadne had been her dinner
dress. but tonight, as she sees herself
looking all that the heart of man could
desire in her delicate Indian fabric, she
tells herself that the glistening diamonds
are what will add the last finishing touch
to an already perfect picture.
Taking up her fan, and returning the
maid s congratulations on her appearance
with pleased little laugh, she leaves her
room and goes slowly down the staircase
toward the drawing room. For a minute
or two she pauSeS outside the door, partly
from natural nervousness at encountering
so many StrangerS-their voices coming
to her in a Subdued murmur from within
and partly to give herself a last glance
over in the huge mirror behind her, to as
sure herself that she is looking fairer than
usual and that in her true loves eyes she
NAV find favor. She signs little as she
remembers how far she will be from him
in a few days time-lost to him forever
bound irrevOcably to one whom she may
respect but can never love.
The smile had died from her lips, and
her face is colorless as her gown when she
has finished these sad musings, and open
ing the drawing room door, advances
slowly to where she can see Lady Val
worth in the distance.
The room is somewhat crowded Many
look up as she goes by them. Some re-
gard her silently-these the men; some
ask, in dcprecatory way, who she is
these the women.
All SHOW an OnU1SgulS60 interest.
Lady Valworth, with whom she has be-
come reigning favorite, turns to greet
her as she approaches her SIDE.
''YOu must let me introduce you to
very charming little friend of mine" she
says to her companion, Lord Aster, hold
ing out her hand to Nadine with kindly
smile. ga friend, too, of Millicent'sn'
She gets through the introduction and
Lord Aster, an old beau with a juvenile
chicken down, murmurs something COM
plinentary III a boyish tone that is as
labored as it is ancient.
''There are few arrangements as yet
incomplete. Some eligibles unassigned"
whispers Lady Nalworth to her favorite.
81 should like to give you some one who
would amuse you through the tedious time
of dinner Would you like
She comes suddenly to a dead stop. She
had been Inurmuring to the girl in gay
aside, with smile upon her face, but now
the smile has given place to glance of
rlingled establishment and horror. Her
eyes are fixed on Madness breast, where
the diamond cross-Paul Annerley's gift
is glittering and sparkling magnif-
Gently as the girls gentle bosom rises
and falls.
E'That-where did you get that?'' de-
1nands Lady Valworth, in a stifled tone.
lord Astcr, fortunately, is glancing
through his il nty eyeglass at some one
sitting quite at the other end of the room.
Nadine and Lady ValwOrth are virtually
alone.
'ThatE' asks Nadine nervOCSly, sur
prised at Lady Valworth's, manner. She
looks so innocently at her hostess that the
latter, by q supreme effort, recovering
herself, lays her hand reassuringly upon
her arm.
Nothing, my love. 1t was mere start
received. That pretty cross upon your
neck reminded me of one | used to adj
mire long ago. Who gave it to you:"
paul Annerley-Paul, to whom L am
engaged - says the girl, with a little
sigh. In truth, the pretty baublc-the
value Of which is unguesSed by hers
dcvOid Of all tender interest, coming as it
did from him.
''-Ahl pretty gift, - returns Lady Val
worth ahScntly. In spite of herself her
manner is constrained. She m0Yea away
where Millicent is standing, convcrsing
with Geraldine Massareene. Her face is
very Pale, and there is excitement in her
eye IS ne approaches her niece.
''Aillicent," says she abruptly, tapping
Miss Grey's arm with her trembling
fingers. ''SOmething more than strange
has happened. l must speak TO you be-
cause you are her friend, and''--
''What is it? You look az if you had
seen Il ghost!" eXclaims Miss Grey, COM
pelling her to sink upon a lounge near
her
II have seen what I never hoped to see
again! Part of my stolen diamonds! 1
have seen my diamond crossl''