The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-01-31

OF that kind; SO. before long, she sound
herself wondering what she would do
about 1t. Was she going to sit still
and let this woman win away her hus-
band without an effort on her part to
prevent itp Not she. She would 90
to this masquerade herself. What she
would do there she hadn't fully deter
mined upon. She would wear a pink
domino and carry q red rose In her
hand; aud II Ross Deane should happen
to mistake her for the fascinating Miss
Preston-why. how could she help IL?
Any way, she knew she wouldn't try
to help 1t. Let him blunder II he liked |;
she didn't care.
Her mind once made up, she looked
to see where the note was dated. 1t
was written the day before she found
1t, 30 that the masquerade was to be
that very evening. No time was to be
lost, evidently. II she wanted to attend.
They had received cards several days
before. but Ross had declared himself
averse to going. and SO Mrs. Deane
had thought no more about 1t. Now
she saw his decision in different light.
HE didn't want me to CO." she MUIR
INJURED to herself, land he thought he
could make some excuse to be away
this evening so that needn't know
he went. But we'll see how his plans
turn out. Tn very much afraid he'll
be disappointed. Well see." and the
red lips were compressed firmly. and
the little hands were tightly clenched.
When everything was finished she
sat down on the sofa in the pretty par
lor. There Ross found here. sitting
soberly. bending 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
stopped to kiss her.
why, pet. what's the matterp" he
said, amazedly, rs he stepped back.
his hand on the table beside him.
She sat still. with dropping eyes and
averted face. II 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 / doneP"
And he could stand there and ask
her that so coolly! Lottic was almost
frantic. And then the dinner-bell rang
unu SaNeu them iom " occuc ioE tnut
time.
Ross Deane followed his wife to the
dining-room. feeling very much as IL
he was dreaming. When the meal was
over he retired to the office to take a
smoke and to think it over. Lottie
went upstairs to wait for him to leave
the house before she began to dress.
She sat where she could watch the
garden gate, and there she waited with
nervous impatience for him to go out
that she might follow and the first act
Of the tragi-comedy be ready for per-
formance.
Eight o'clock struck, and in a 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
stairs?"
But Lottie would not answer. She
had no desire to receive his goodbye
kiss when she knew he was hurrying
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 long
silence, aud still she sat there aud
wondered what delayed him so.
Nine o'clock struck; then 10. and no
body had passed out ut the front gate
she watched so jealousy. What could
it meanp Had he been so cowardly rs
might see himp She couldn't believe
that of him; but she didn't understand
why he waited till so late before going
away.
Half past ten; q quarter Of eleven.
She couldn't bear this any longer; but
would just find out what it meant.
Just as the clock struck II, 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.
Ross! Ross! Wake up! Don't you
know that it's IL o'clock and you are
not dressed for the masquerade"
who - whatp" muttered Ross. I
stretching lazily. ELEVEN o'clockl
Well. what of it, deariep"
The masquerade, Ross; don't you
remember 1t is this evening and you
are not dressedp"
THE masquerade. Lottiep Why, !
thought we had decided not to CO."
so 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. l 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. thought"
Yes 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. and you thought
your husband could care enough for a