The Forrest City times., 1891-01-23

red lips were compressed firmly, and the little hands were tightly clenched. 1 When everything was finished she sat down on the sofa in the pretty par Tor. There Ross found here. sitting soberl;. tending forward little, with her white hands clasped in her lap. She did not look up to greet him when he entered. She was too angry. aud she waved him back haughtily when he ,tooped to kiss her.
 Why. pet, whats the matterp" hs said, amazedly. as he stepped back ! his hand on the table beside him. She sat still, with dropping eyes and averted face. ''I do not wish to talk to you" was all she said.
 He stared, bewildered.
 But, Lottie darling. don't under. stand-what has come over you so suddenly? What have l done?' And he could stand there and ask her that so coolly! Lottie was almost frantic. And then the dinner bell rang and saved them from scene for ,aa; time.
 Ross Deane followed his wife to the dining feeling very much as if he was dreaming. When the meal was over he retired to the office to take smoke and to think it over. Lottie went upstairs to wait for him 10 leave the house before she began to dress.
 She sat where she could watch the garden gate, and there she waited with nervous impatiencc for him to go ort that she might follow and the first act of the tragi-comedy be ready for per formance.
 Eight o'clock struck, and in few minutes after she heard him moving about down stairs. Then he came to the foot of the stairs and called: ''Lottie. dear. won't you come down stars?"
 But Lottic would not answer. She had no desire to receive his goodbye kiss when she knew he was burrying away from her impatient to meet that bold girl who was trying to win him away from his wife. He called once more and then she heard him pass into the parlor After that there was Il long silence, aud still she sat there and wondered what delayed him so.
 Nine o'clock struck; then 10. and mo- body had passed out at the front gate she watched so jealously. What could it mean? Had he been SO cowardly as to slip out by the back way for fear she might see him2 She couldn't believe that of him; but she didn't understand why he waited till so late before going away.
 Half past ten; a quarter of eleven. She couldn't bear this any longer; but would just find out what it meant. Just as the clock struck 1. she came down into the parlor. There lay Ross, sound asleep on the sofa, the evening paper tossed carelessly on the floor be- side him.
 .'Rossl Ross Wake upl Don't you know that it's II o'clock and you are not dressed for the masquerade.n
 w ho --- what?" muttered Ross. stretching lazily. Eleven o'clock! Well. what of 1t, dearie?"
 The masquerade. Ross; don't you remember it is this evening and you arc not dressedPn
 The masquerade. Lotties Why, thought we had decided not to go.'
 50 we did," she answered. bitterly; but l supposed Miss Preston had per suaded you to change your mind"
 Miss Preston? What has she to do with our going, one way or the otherp Oh, 1 begin to smell rat" he cried exultantly. now fully wide awake. See here, puss; what did you mean by having the sulks tonight and re- fusing to kiss your liege lord. or even be civil to him, eh?"
 ''Oh, Ross, l thought"
 'ies l know what you thought" He had her in his arms now. You saw that note Miss Belle saw fit to send me the other day, aud you thought your husband could care enough for girl. who threw herself al his head in that bold way. to deceive lis wife-his own wife, whom he loves better than all the world beside. he added lower and more earnestly. Il don't think you have very high opinion of your husband, pet.
 Il did find the note. Ross" she sob- bed in the pocket of your office coat. and H. Please forgive me. dear;n and she clung to him closer while be soothed and petted her.
 Never mind. little grille; l don't wonder you doubted me for n minute. l ought 10 have burned that note. and then you'd not have been so troubled. But perhaps it's just as well. You know for certain, true,' now. how much influence Miss Belle has over me. don't you?' And he patted her cheek and laughed little.
 think Mrs. Deane emanaged-women know how to do these thiugs--in some perfectly polite and pleasant way to let Miss Preston know why Mir. Deane did not attend the masquerade. and also the fate that notes addressed to him were likely to meet. At any rate. the young lady wastes no more of her time on other womeu's husbands but is de. voting all her energies to procuring one of her own. - EUcaing World.
 Rursttuy If Glacicr Dam