Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1891-11-27

knob. 1t was locked, but she answered on
the spot in u terrified voice:
is there?"
81, Tom," l replied, my voice shaking
with a hundred emotions.
"Ohp" l heard the joy in her voice as she
sprang up, struck a match n came and
unlocked the door.
"Tom, my own boy" she cried, twining
her arms about my neck, what a surprise,
but you know you nearly frightened the
life quite out of me?"
caught up a shawl and threw it about
her as l glanced eagerly around the room
for signs of the yellow ball gown. She had
been cunning-crafty; had thought of her
servants quick eyes perhaps. Not a trace
of her late escapade lay anywhere in sight.
"What is the matter?" she exclaimed as
I passed roughly by her and fell into a seat
painting and livid.
"The matter?" | repeated, my voice
husky with the strain upon me. Where
is that damnable yellow ball gown of
yours2"
"Oh, Toni" Julie sank upon her knees
beside me as she spoke.
"Oh, Toni forgive me, it was not my
1dulbs luuetO, luuecu IL Was uOU. DO Ue-
lieve me-; Won't your"
me ~impetuously, "Id rather believe my
own eyes. Where is it, l say?"
II DOM know-indeed I don't, Tom"
"You don't knowl" l sneered in my fury,
catching her by the wrists and holding her
as if in a vice. isn't it right here some
wherein this room-hidden away?"
"No, no!' she cried in a terrified tone;
"it is not. l only wish it were. Tom,
what is the matter with you? Let go of
me-you hurt me; you are rude and I'M
kindl" She wrested herself from my
grasp as she spoke, and stood in the full
flare of the chandelier, a flush of amaze
ment and fright upon her face.
II want to see that mascot of mine,"I
exclaimed holly, and with no abatement
of my s~atirical emphasis, as l began to
open the closet doors and to peer into the
wardrobe.
"Toml' my little wife spoke with dig
nifty as she looked at me.
"What is it?" 1 asked in a logged way.
II want to tell you all about it, if you'll
listen quietly to me-"
go on" responded brutally, standing
still with my hand on a door knob.
II never knew anything about it until
COuuSS 1 ACFCI uICtiIuCu VI SuCl u tuiuH.'
"Indeedl' and my lip curled incredu.
lousy.
"The mystery to me is how you knew it
you must nave felt it-that ball gown
was q witch, l do believe"
"a witch wore it," l said cruelty.
But, Tom, I'll bear all YOU u%nkindness
because I know you'll forgive me in the
end"
Don't be TOO sure of that"
And know O did think SO much of
i'll did myself-and when that stupid
woman Saunders confessed to me today
that she had sold it to the old clothes wom-
an with the rest of my discarded things,
l really believe l could nave murdered her
oh, Tom, what is the matter now?"
l dashed across the room and caught her
to my heart. l laughed wildly, the tears
came into my eyes, old fellow; yes, they
did, as l rained the eager kisses down upon
her sweet, innocent lips.
81 knew you'd forgive me, dear,' she
whispered; "and really you must forgive
poor Saunders, too-she misunderstood me
about it; and, after all, l dare say it may
have made some poor thing presentable at
one of those public balls, or something,
where the shop girls go in hired dresses
and secondhand finery."
very Ilkely, L answered. Will u CeETlDl6
sigh of repressed contrition.
She kissed my forehead.
"Look,' she said, pointing to the win
dows where the first faint CLEANS of day
light were creeping in-'look, it's our May
morning, isn't it?"
eyes, my darling girl; heaven knows
you have given me the happiness of my
life on this first anniversary of our we'd
ding"
"And you do forgive me, and you don't
feel too badly about the loss of the yellow
ball gown"
Her eyes were lifted in loving appeal.
"Forgive you'll There is nothing to for
give. I'll buy you another yellow ball
gown before you are a week older; but,
Julie it never can be the mascot to me
that the old one wasr"
II suppose not" she said, a little rue
fully.
Did l ever tell her? Well, not yet-stay,
l fear l have, too; for there comes the little
woman now, from her hiding behind those
curtains! She must nave heard it all
yes, we are going to the Adairs' dance;
and, by the way, how do you like Mrs.
Marie in her second edition of 1.-The yellow
ball gown?'-Frank Leslie's Illustrated