The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-10-15
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 Vsssar 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 q
moment in which the woman left the
room. "How long have you had that
person2 You lock up nothing and you
really know nothing of Clemence.n
"She came excellently recommended. "
Leslie shrugged her shoulders. She
was a 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
nificent 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 tonight, said Helen Vassar, tax
ing up the thread of an interested con-
versation. "What business so urgent
that he must absolutely leave town to-
dayl"
''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"
Every 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 for
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 brougham
I have thought of something want in
town. / shall have time to drive in
and back before dinner"
"Can't send some one2" asked
Helen.
"No, prefer to go myself"
"Just as you like, of course. Nat.
urally, ring for the brougham whenever
you please" "
1t was crisp autumn afternoon and
the horses travelled rapidly. When they
reached town Miss Radetsky stopped at a
large shop and bade the coachman wait.
She walked through the crowded aisles
leisurely and finally issued into another
street through an opposite door. Then
she began to accelerate her step. She
walked about ten minutes and stopped
at length before a bachelor apartment
house. She took the elevator and rang
at a door. 1t opened almost stimuli
taneously and she entered a large room
with partly drawn curtains. Louis closed
and double locked the door again.
By this time Leslie had become accus-
toned to the seeming obscurity. When
Louis turned she saw his face distinctly.
A tremor seized her knees and hands.
She sank into a chair and fastened her
eyes upon him.
"Tell the whole TRUTH" she said.
"Something horrible has happened. !
have felt the catastrophe coming a long
time"
He had thrown himself down beside
her. His beauty was defaced like a
Greek god prone in the dust.
He began in broken phrases, which il
lumined the situation for the listening
woman as flashes of lightning illumines a
black landscape.
Leslie never spoke.