Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1890-10-17
MISS VASSAR'S DIAMONDS
BY LOIS GREY.

The marriage of Miss Vassar was of
the sort of which people talk. 1t out
ragged that sense of fitness which the
world possesses so strongly in regard to
the marriage, not of itself, but of its
friends. A few, to be sure, objected
that nothing could be filter. Miss Vas
sar, if not quite in her first youth and not
what one might call pretty, had inherited
all the millions of her father; Louis
Radetsky had no millions whatever, but
he was young and the handsomest man in
town.
Whatever might or might not be said,
Helen Vassar was happy. Her gentle,
sympathetic eyes had certain depths now
adays that made Leslie Radetsky think
her. almost good looking. Leslie spent
much of her time in the large Vassar
country house now. This was natural.
She was Louis's adopted sister.
At this instant she sat lazily watching
Helen giving orders to her maid for the
toilet she would wear that night. Miss
Vassar's invitation had been out three
weeks for her great ball.
A small gold-bound Golfer was open
before her, and from the delicate, scented
satin of its lining the liquid fire of dia-
monds, the living whiteness of pearls, de-
tached themselves. The new maid moved
about silent and obsequious.
"You are careless, said Leslie in a
moment in which the woman left the
room. "How long have you had that
person? You lock up nothing and you
really know nothing of Clemence."
"She came exce.lently recommended. F."
Leslie shrugged her shoulders. She
was tall girl, dark and slight, almost
to thinness, which did not prevent her
having arms and throat so beautiful
that, when in ballroom people followed
her with their eyes. Her glance was
deep and little restless. She had mag
nifcent hair and hands and feet that
rivaled her throat in beauty. Never
theless no one spoke of her as pretty.
81 feel defrauded that Louis cannot
come to o-night," said Helen Vassar, TAX
ing up the thread of an interested con-
versation. "What business SO urgent
that he must absolutely leave town to-
daye"
.'You may be sure it is urgent. OF
course it's unfortunate"
"How firm you are in your allegiance
to Louis" smiled Louis's betrothed.
"You would question nothing he might
do. You are exemplary brother and
sister. You are very devoted"
"Very devoted" said Leslie.
The maid had re-entered the room.
She had a note which she gave to Miss
Radetsky. The latter opened and read
it through. She was rather silent fol-
awhile Then she got up and with some
passing excuse went out.
A half hour later she returned, dressed
for the street.
"Will you let me have the broughami
1 have thought of something l want in
town. shall have time to drive in
and back before dinner"
ssCan't send some one9" asked
Helen.
"No, I prefer to go myself"
"Just as you like, of course. Nat
urally. ring for the brougham whenever
| you please.
1t was a crisp autumn afternoon ano
the horses Travelled rapidly. When they
reached town Miss Radetsky stopped at {
large shop and bade the coachman wait
She walked through the crowded aise'
leisurely and finally issued into anothel
street through an opposite door. Ther
she began to accelerate her step. Sh'
walked about ten minutes and stopped
at length before bachelor apartmen
house. She took the elevator and rams
at a door. 1t opened almost stimuli
taneously and she entered large room
] with partly drawn curtains. Louis closed
and double locked the door again.
BY this time Leslie lad become accus
toned to the seeming obscurity. Whel
Louis turned she saw his face distinctly