Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1891-10-15

only thing tit to wear
MY husband?" echoed Alice, open
ing her eyes in surprise.
"lcS; she's been fretting about IL
all day, and said it was downright
extravaganza for man OF his means
to give SO much for 4 trinket. What
was it, Mrs. Winton, brooch?"
Alice's eyes blazed for an instant,
and then, all at once, they filed with
tears, and warm flush overspread
her face.
ooh, yes; | understand now" she
murmured, darling old Frank, he
has got 1t for me, after ALL" Then,
turning to Miss Ticomb, ''Not ex-
actly brooch" she continued, "but
the dearest little gem OF a blossom
you ever saw, and immensely costly.
But I'll have Edith Walsingham to
know that my husband can afford to
buy costly jewelry for his wife as well
us other people,"
The all-important evening came at
last, and having heard nothing from
her husband in regard to his pur-
chase the young wife came to the
conclusion that the whole story was
falsc-~some OF Miss Tilcombs idle
gossip. She was intensely disap-
pointed, and the thought that Edith
WalSingham would possess the little
gem she SO coveted made her cry
like child from pure vcXation.
Alice soon found herself the center
OF an admiring circle, but for once
their homage Wearicd her. One de-
sire possessed her-~tO find Edith
Walsingham and see If she wore that
snow-drop spray. She discngaged
herself from the admiring friends
around her, and under some pretext
wandered toward the conservatory
Halfway down the passage She met
the object Of her search glorious as
Cleopatra herself in her rustling robe
OF WOndrOnS green, but the fOamy
laccS on her bosom were held in place,
not by a spray Of Jewels, but by a
simple bunch Of pansics. Alice drew
a quick breath of relief; it was some
comfort to know that this young lady
had been disappointed us we'll Us her
self.
She drew back in the shadow OF the
window, watching her beautiful rival
with a feeling Of bitter envy. Her
dress was SO wondrously becoming,
her lace SO costly, her style and figure
SO qucenly and imposing, no wonder
Frank used to admire her. She was,
indeed, very beautiful And poor,
simple little Alice smoothed down
her mauve dress and adjusted her
golden tresseS, with Il sharp pain at
her heart, and a childish fear lest she
should be totally eclipSed. Just at
that moment, as Edith was about en-
tering the saloon, figure glidcd out
from an cmbrasure close by and de-
tanned her.
Just one moment, Miss Walsing-
ham accept my arm, please, and
Wen go into the conScrvatory-'tis
quiet there"
Alice heard the voice and caught a
glimpse Of the face, and for an in
slant the floor seemed sinking beneath
her feet. 1t was Frank, her own huS-
band. What could he want Of Edith
Walsingham? They went off toward
the conservatory, and Alice stood for
IN instant irresolute; then she fol-
lowed them with stealthy steps,
though her very fingers tingled with
shame at the meanneSS OF the act.
They had entered the conservatory
and closed the glass door after them,
but Alice could see them from her
standpoint in the shadow Of Il bloom
ing acacia Edith seated and Frank
standing by her side.
You received my note?" he was
saving, land YOU have decided to take
it?"
YES, certainly, and | thank you,
too" she replied at was kind in you
to give me the chance.
""ris a pretty thing" he contin-
ued, taking something from his
pocket; poor Alice had set her heart
upon having it she's like
n child about such things.
But it can't be helped she mustn't
know SO long rs | can keep 1t from
her. poor child. Here it is, Miss
Walsingham, and it's worthy ct your
bcauty-let me faStcn ii on for you,
and | won't detain You longer-~l
meant TO have called at your house
This afternoon, but I've been half be-
side myself"
Frank bowed, and they turned To-
come out, and as they did SO A''cG
caught sight OF the spray OF snow
drons cleaning on Edith'S bosom \
nang like death pierced her heart,
and without a moan or sound she
dropped down in the shadow of the
blooming acacia. When she aWoke To
they were gone, ana she
was alone among the odorous bios
SONS with the music and laughter OF
the sreyel coming family to her ear.
Fnr n short time she remained per-
fectly still, thinking it al over;
then she rose and prepared To qult
the mansion.