The Forrest City times., 1891-03-06
THE EBONY BOX.

had no idea of doing her any harm when l came to her fine mansion to spend a summer month with her.
 She told me that she was engaged to be married and wanted me to meet her betrothed husband, It was all her own doing,
 came, we saw each other, and he gave me his heart on the instant.
 He had never given her that; her money had won him, but now his pas sion for me made him feel that it was worthless.
 One day he told her all. I had fled back to my home in terror, thinking tnA when she knew the truth she Sak < hate rle.
 < Hhr..,d so treacherous to come as h0 R' st and rob her of her lover. fc.~ TAt if she struck me, or even kill ed .W. she would only do what was just and right. But shortly Edwin wrote to me:
 My darling Bella-Miss Ellen Win throp is the best and sweetest of wom- en; an angel could not have been kinder.
 '' Bella is much better suited to you than l am' she said. Give her my love and tell her hope you will be happy. l have long felt that, though we may always be friends, we were never meant for lovers. y
 The letter had much more in 1t, but nothing that need to write here.
 was so glad that she had forgiven me, so thankful for now could be gin to forgive myself a little; and yet had done nothing but what Heaven had made me, and the sort of woman Edwin Hunt liked
 had not made an effort to win his love, only when it came to me, like dew to the roses in the summer eve, could not refuse it. We were lovers now, We were happy.
 l tried to make myself believe that Esther Winthrop was happy also, but she looked pale and worn.
 When 1 met her in the street her eyes had q sunken look and she seemed lost in reverie yet when she saw me she smiled and took my hand, and told mo that l must ask her 0 my wedding.
 At least, however. she would have been 4 strange bride for handsome young Edwin Hunt. Strangers might havetaken her for his mother. She was one of those women who, as soon as early girlhood spassed, look hard and wlthered Yet knowing that sine had been so kind and digniiied, so iorgiving to me, isaid tomysef that Iwould new CT judge any woman by her face again, for Esther Winthrop deserved to be the lovliest of living women.
 Oh, what q blind idiot was r Saint ly forgiveness never gave such cold, evil look Go a woman's eye, or wrote such tigress lines abont u woman < mouth
 But believed in her then---I almost worshipped her When she bade me come to see her, went tnnidly, won dering at her sweetness and courtesy, which never seemed to fail her
 She came to my wedding. she gave me the handsomest of all lmy presents. She won golden opinions of all who met her.
 The night of our wedding We spent at a hotel in the city; on the following day we were to takean ocean steamer. There would be a large party to see us of, and Esther had promised to be one oi them
 'To-morrow" How lightly We ut ter the word. never thinking what it may bring forth or that We may never live to see it.
 That night a messenger brought a letter to Edwin. He read it with n smile and took up his hat.
 "lou must suffer from curiosity un- til return" he said. laughing, as he kissed me, "As they say in novels. the secret is not mine but another's ?
 Then he ran gaily down the stairs, whistllngas he went. All night I wait ed his return. In the morning he was still absent. He never came again. Where he went, why he went, what fate had beiallen him, remained n mystery.
 Those werenot wanting who nodded and shook their heads. and said that murder could not be hid so complete ly. That any accident must have been known. and that he who had jilted one woman might be untrue to another.
 He had broken his engagement with Esther Winthrop to marry me. And q tale was told oi how he had been seen with beautiful Spanish girl the day before, and that both seemed agi- tated.
 'Lies!" cried. False tales that have no foundations. whatever may have happened, he was never false to me"
 But the days passed on, and the months and years, and nothing was heard of him, and surprise gave way tohopeless misery.
 had impoverished myself in fruit less fleeing of detectives, in useless journeys to and fro. My parents were dead, was quite alone in the world, and theu it was that Esther Winthrop came to me.
 My big house is a very desolate place, she said; perhaps two forlorn women can make each other happier Will you come to mel ask it as a favor to myself"
 For while deliberated, then I ae. cepted the invitation.
 Everything was Ut my command No one could have guessed which of Us was the mistress of that elegant abode
 Esther was unutterable generous, but soon found that she believed the tales they told of my husband. Itax-