The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-10-15

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
false-some of Miss Tilcomb's 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 yexation.
Alice soon found herself the center
of an admiring circle, but for once
their homage wearied her. One de-
sire possessed her-to find Edith
Walsingham and see if she wore that
snow-drop spray. She disengaged
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
laces on her bosom were held in place,
net by spray of jewels, but by a
simple bunch of pansies. Alice drew
a quick breath of relief; it was some
comfort to know that this young lady
had been disappointed as we'll as her
self.
She drew back in the shadow of the
window, watching her beautiful rival
with feeling Of bitter envy. Her
dress was so wondrOusly becoming,
her lace so costly, her style and figure
so queenly and imposing, no wonder
Frank used to admire her. She was,
indeed, very beautiful. And poor,
her mauve dress and adjusted her
golden tresses, with a sharp pain at
her heart, and childish fear lest she
should be totally eclipsed. Just at
that moment, as Edith was about en-
tering the saloon, a figure glided out
from an embraSure close by and de-
tanned her.
"Just one moment, Miss Walsing
ham-accept my arm, please, and
We'll go into the cOnseryatOry-'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
an 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 bloom
ing acacia Edith seated and Frank
standing by her side.
"YQu received my nOte?" he was
saying, "and you have decided to take
it?"
eyes, certainly, and I thank you,
too," she replied; "it was kind in you
to give me the chance"
otis pretty thing" he contin-
ued, taking something from his
pocket; poor Alice had set her heart
upon having it she's like
child about such things.
But it can't be helped-she mustn't
know SO long as l can keep it from
her, poor child. Here it is, Miss
Walsingham, and it's worthy of your
beauty-let me fasten it On for you,
and / won't detain you longer-I
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 Alice
caught sight Of the spray Of snow
drops cleaning on Edith's bosom. A
pang like death pierced her heart,
and without moan or sound she
dropped down in the shadow of the
blooming acacia. When she awoke to
consciousness they were gone, and she
was alone among the odOrOus bios
SONS, with the music and laughter of
the revel coming family to her ear.
For a short time she remained per-
fectly. still, thinking it all over;
then she rose and prepared to quit
the mansion.
When Frank Winton returned to
his house that night from the per-
Torrance of some arduous business
duties that had called him from Lady
Howard's party at an early hour, he
| found it desolate-his wife and chill
dren both gone. The nursery maid
handed him sealed note. He tore
it open and read as follows:
Il know all-you can deceive me
no longer-I am going home to my
| father"
/ Great heavens! Has she aban-
/ doned me thus? Oh, Alice, / did not
! look for this!"
And sinking into a chair, the strong
man Sobbed like child
A few days later Alice received a
letter from her husband explaining
the whole thing.
He had failed in business, and hay-
ing bought the pin, was obliged to
resell it, as he could not pay for it.
A ready purchaser was found in
Miss Walsingham, and he had tried