The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-01-31

herself wondering what she would do
about II. Was she going to sir 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 red rose in her
hand; aud IL 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
10 help IL. Let him blunder IL he liked;
she didn't care.
Her mind once made up. she looked
10 see where the note was dated. Ii
was written the day before she found
IL. so that the masquerade was TO bc
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 Il. Now
she saw his decision in different light
HE didn't want me TO 60. she muir
INJURED To herself, land he thought he
could make some excuse 10 be away
this evening. SO that | needn't know
he went. But wen see how his plans
turn out. I'm very much afraid he'll
be disappointed Wen see." and the
red lips were compressed firmly. and
the little hands were tightly clcnchcd.
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 10 greet him when he
entered. She was too angry. aud she
waved him back haughtily when he
stopped 10 kiss her.
Why, pet. what's the matterP" he
said. anazedly. as he stepped back.
his hand on the table beside him.
She sat still. with dropping eyes and
ayerted face. II do not wish TO talk To
you" was oil she said
He stared. bewildered.
But. Lottie. darling. Idon't under.
stand--what has come over you so
suddenly What have / doneP"
And he could stand there aud ask
her that SO cooliyl Lotto was almost
frantic. And then the dnner-bell rang
and saved them from scene for that
time.
Ross Dcane 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
smoke and 10 think it over. Lottie
went upstairs 10 wait for him 20 leave
the house before she began 10 dress.
She sat where she could watch the
garden gate. and there she waited with
nervous Impotence for him TO 90 out
that she might follow and the first act
Of the tragi-comedy be ready for per-
Torrance.
Eight o'clock struck. and in 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. and still she sat there aud
wondered what DELAYED him so.
Nine o'clock struck; then 10. and no.
body had passed out at the front gate
she watched SO jealously. What could
IL mean? Had he been SO cowardly as
TO slip out by the back way for fear she
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; quarter Of eleven.
She couldn't bear this any longer; but
would Just find out what 1t meant
Just us the clock struck III. 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! Rossl Wake up. Don't you
know that it's III o'clock and YOU are
not dressed for the masquerade"
Who IL whatp' muttered Ross.
stretching lazily. Eleven O'clock!
Well what of il. dearieP"
The masquerade. Ross; don't you
remember IL is this evening and you
are not dressedP"
The masquerade. Lottie? Why, l
thought we had decided not to 60"
so we did" she answered. bitterly;
"but supposed Miss Preston had per-
suaded you To change your mind"
Miss Prcstonp What has she TO do
with our going. one way or the otherP
Oh. | begin To smell n rat" he cried
exultantly. now fully wide awake.
See here. puss; what did you mean
by having the suiks tonight. aud re-
fnsino IN kiss vour lego lord or even
be civil 10 him. eh?'
''0h. Ross. thought"
Yes l know what YOU thought"
He had her in hrs 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