The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-01-28
that met his amazed eyes was his pretty

was vexing him in the least, "you see
I have decided to go after all. How
do you like my dressP I dressed early
on purpose for you to see it."
Mr.. Alison had stopped short as she
spoke, with hand uplifted.
Maud" he said, in a vexed way,
"what does this mean?"
''Have you forgotten so quick?" she
answered lightly" ''lt is the Wilver-
toms ball, you know. / told you this
morning Mrs. Leighton had offered to
call for me. and bring me home again.
Don't you remember?"
Il remember something you seem
to have forgotten, was the cold reply;
''that is, that did not and do not wish
you to go to this ball. Those Wilver-
tons are not fit people for you to as
sociate with; of that am certain. The
town is full of rumors against them,
and ] predict you will find but very
few decent people there tonight
What nonsense you are talking"
she said, genuinely surprised now.
why [ know there are plenty of the
best people going; have scarcely met
one who has declined the invitation"
THAT may be" was the quiet reply:
but many men who have heard as
much. and more than I have, will
change their minds tonight and keep
themselves and their families away.
Those who do go will be sorry for it, 1
am sure"
What terrible things have you
heard. I should like to know?" she
asked, half convinced.
s.OO1IT T own - Io T.,
''but they are bad enough. There was
fire, p
blazing eyes. 'Rumors. indeed! You
need say no more. l do not believe
one word of it all, and shall go, That
is decided"
But Maud"-
Il don't wish to hear any more.
am going"
And she went-went with Mrs.
Leighton when she called for her-went
with a smiling face and an angry, re-
bellious heart.
The Wilvertons greeted her with
efusion. But there were very few of
her set present, and somehow the at
mosphere seemed different one from
what she had been accustomed to.
There were a number of strangers
present, ladies and gentlemen. The
former did not impress her favorably
and the latter seemed rather demon
strative in their devotions to the fairer
sex. Mr.. Wilverton made her uncom-
Portable, moreover, with his persistent
attentions; and altogether she was not
sorry when Mrs. Leighton proposed
returning home. They went early,
and most of their particular set fol-
lowed in their wake-those at least
who had not gone before.
Very little conversation passed be-
tween Mr.. and Mrs. Alison that night
very little for some days thereafter.
He considered himself justly aggrieved,
and was indignant accordingly. She
felt herself in the wrong, was too proud
to own it, and was miserable in conse-
quence.
Meanwhile the whispers against the
Wilvertons increased in number and
Importance. 1t began to be generally
conceded that there was something
wrong about them; and people who had
taken them up on trust were gradually
dropping their acquaintance. Mrs.
Alison, however, prided herself on be-
ing no summer friend, and her inti-
macy with the Wilvertons seemed in
no wise diminished, seemed, I say, for
she was growing to dislike them both,
as she saw more and more of them.
Mrs. Wilverton's dashing ways seemed
coarse now, ard no words could tell
how she was growing to loathe the man
who grew more bold and outspoken in
his admiration of her every day.
But the end was very near.
Mr.. Alison came up to dinner one
evening in a half-subdued tremor of ex-
citement.
MAUD, dear, l have news for you."
he said. striving to speak calmly, but
failing signally in the attempt.
Mrs. Alison looked up a little sur
prised at the ''dear," which had fallen
from his lips but rarely since that un-
fortunate ball. but, truth to tell, rather
glad to hear it again.
''What is it?"
Its about the Wilvertons. You
see," he went on hurriedly, there's
been, as you know, great deal of talk
about them lately-more, perhaps.
than you are aware of-and people
scrupled to call them adventurers. if
not swindlers. 1t seems they are even
worse than that"
''What?" cried Mrs. Alison, sharply.
Criminals! At least the man is.
He was arrested this morning by de-
tective from London, who has been on
his track for some time. His very
boldness in coming here and launch
ing out in the style he has. under an
assumed name, and with all the ap-
pearance of great wealth, had thrown
the police off the scent for little
while. But they've got him now, and
he's safe for a twenty years term at
Portland Island at least"
What has he done?" asked Mrs.
Alison.
perhaps you will recognize his real
name-it is Willis
The notorious bank robber?"
THE same.n
Mrs. Alison did not speak for many
minutes. Then she remembered that
she had been-or had tried to be-a
friend to Mrs. Wilverton. She could
not desert her now that so terrible
sorrow had fallen upon her.
''Will you ring the bell for Luck?"
SlC o1llO W uCI NCLJ
Il want my bonnet and shawl. l am
going to see Mrs. Wilverton. She
ought not to be left to bear this trouble
alone, and know of no one who will
90 to her now."
Mr.. Alison stared, amazed. Even
he had never realized half the real
nobility that, despite her faults. was
inherent in his wife's nature. She had
risen now, and was standing. very pale
and still, by the table. He went to
her and put his arms around her and
drew her head down to his breast.
"My noble Maud" was all he said.
She clung to him, sobbing.
''Oh, Fred-you do forgive me for
treating you so badly the other nightP"
she pleaded. I'm SO sorry now"
II need forgiveness. too, darling, for
having been sullen," he answered
earnestly, land we will both forget
and forgive. Shall it be SOP"
She lifted her face and kissed him
softly.
'.And poor Mrs. Wilverton. Fred!
Will you not go with me to see her.
do not like her really, though l have
tried; but can not leave her to bear