Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-06-13
MRS. W|NTON'S MIST AXE.

do get it for me, Frank, won't
youP'
The young husband looked down at
the smiling, blonde face with wistful
sadness.
'Indeed would. dear" lie replied.
''but really it costs too much; / don't
see how i can afford 1t with that bill
coming due. and my affairs in such an
embarrassed condition.
The pretty wife pouted little as she
replaced the jewel in its case. 1t was
an exquisite little gem. A spray of
dew-drops, every blossom pearl.
holding n diamond dcw-drop in its
heart, aud every tiny green stem aud
leaf an emerald.
1T would be so nice for the bail"
she sighed, childishly; "and | haven't
any jewelry lit to wear"
Then select something less expen-
siyc. dear" suggested the husband, OBJ
ligingly.
The shopman strewed the counter
with pretty triilcs, but Mrs. Winton
shook he handsome head. She did
not wish TO purchase anything else; she
disliked common ornaments; II Mr..
Winton was ready. they would go.
Mr.. Wiuton expressed his willingness.
FRANK Winton followed his wife with
dissatisfied face.
Alice. nc said, joining her on the
steps. lit gives me more pain than
you think 20 deny You this; but my
affairs will not allow such cNtrava-
gance just now"
A day or two after she sat In her
pleasant bed-chambcr, utterly forget
ful OF this occurrence aud OF the baublc
that occasioned it. la pretty wicker
crib lay her six months babe, and on
lounge near ut hand. streaming
down ia lustrous folds. was the mauve
silk for her new dress. and while she
worked away on her dainty lace en-
broidery the young mother divided her
admiring glanccs between the two. al
most as much in love with the rustling
silk as with her cooing babe.
She was awaiting she coming of Miss
Tilcomb the expert drcssmakcr. who
was 10 supcriniend the cutting out OF
the new silk. In little while she ar
rived
You seem almost exhausted. Mrs.
w iuAOus nhC W.. So
Ting herself on an ottoman. II amt
had a nights sleep in n week. How
Im to get s.vcrybssdy ready fos tina
party is more than know. / was up
at Mr.. WalsiDgbam's this morning
Miss Edith Walsingham is decking her
self out like queen, | can tell you."
Alice flushed 10 the very roots Of her
golden hair. and gave her embroidery
s..,n.ttant shatA Sim had har fall
ings, as we have said. and her greatest
failing. perhaps. was vanity. or dis
like to be excelled. This Edith Wal
singham was her rival. and had been
from her girlhood. First In school,
then in the salons OF fashion. aud last
ly in the eyes of the man she loved.
Edith was beauty. and Frank Win
ton had ventured TO admire her before
he married Alice. and the silly thing
secure as she was In her husbands
love. could never quite forgive or for
get It.
''Oh, she's got the lovelicst dress you
ever set eyes on" continued tho little
dressmaker, warming to her subject.
"Green-no common green. though
the new sbade-arsenic green they
call IL; and some say it's rank poison;
but Miss Edith says she will wear it II
Il kills her. II makes her look like
queen. with her clear skin aud fine
hair-and then she's got such cx-
auisite lace, rs fine and white MS sea-
foam. She'll cut dash ut the party.
you may take my word. She went
down town yesterday to get some
iewelry, but she came back all In n
pucker-said your husband was be-
forehand with her. aud had got the
only thing fit to wear"
my husband?" echoed Alice. open
ing her eyes in surprise.
"Yes; she's been fretting about it all
day, and said ii wa, downright cxtrava-
gance for man of his means to give
so much for trinkei What was it,
Mrs. Winton, a broochy
Alice's eyes blazcd for an instant.
aud then. all at once. they iilled with
tears, aud warm flush oyerspresl her
face.
"Oh, yes; understand now" she
murmurcd. darling old Frank. he has
got IL for me, after ALL" Then. turn
ing to Mrs. Tilcomb. Not exactly
brooch, she continued but the
dearest little gem of a blossom you
ever saw. and immensely costly. Bat
I'll have Edith Walsingham to know
that my husband can afford to buy
costly jcwelry for his wife as well rs
other people"
The all-important evening came at
last, and having heard nothing from
her husband in regard to his purchase,
the young wife came to the conclusion
| that the whole story was false some
of Miss Tilcomb's idle gossip. She was
intensely disappointed. and the thought
that Edith Walsingham would possess
the little gem she SO coveted made her
cry like child from pure vexation.
Alice soon found i,crsclf the center
of an admiring circle. but for once
their homage wcaricd her. Gao lie
| sire possessed her--to iind l. lith Wal
singham aud see II she wore that snow
drop spray. She discngagcd herself
| from the admiring friends around her.
| and under some prctext wandered Oh
toward the conservatory. Halfway
down the passage she met the object OF
her senrch glorious as Cleopatra her
| SELF in her rustling robe OF wondrous
green. but tho foamy laccs on her
bosom were hell In pace. not by a
spray OF jewels. but by simple bunch
OF pansies. Alice drew quick breath
| of relief. 10 know that this young lady
| had been disappointed as well Us her
self.
She drew back In The shadow of tho
window. watching her beautiful rival
with n feeling Of bitter envy. Her
dress was SO woudcrously becoming.
hcr lace SO costly. her style and figure
so qucculy aud imposing. NO wonder
! Frank used TO admire her. Shc MAS
| indeed. very beautiful And poor.
simple little Alice smooihed down her
n,anve dress aud adjusted her golden
trcsscs. with a sharp pain at her heart.
aud a childish fear lest she should DO
totally ccIipsed. just nj that moment,
"a ~ <..sss tlsssS I'm.