The Lamar register., 1892-11-26
WHO WAS IT?

white shawl OF Shetland wool iato a
kettle OF seething scarlet dye and
pressed it down with the broom
handle.
Her pretty face was flushed from
bending over the hot stove and all
her shining dark hair had fallen
down about her shoulders
Heavens Cleo what spectacle
you are" exclaimed her cousin. Doris
Linden. entering tho kitchen with an
ecru Northfolk Jacket thrown over
her arm. What do you suppose Marc
Vareouyer would say If he saw you
now' He is so very iastidiouS you
knos.
Is hep SAID Cleo unconcernedly.
You know he is answered Doris
impatiently. Only see how you are
shining your dress and your hands
will not be fit TO be seen for a month. y
'is that all you have to say cousin a'
asked Cleo screnely rinsing the now
scarlet shawl.
no, Cleo" After slight pause
tell me was there really anything be-
tween YOU and Hamer Wyldc last sea,
SOAP
Cleo flushed to the tips of her cars
and bent over the riusing tub
j was engaged TO Mr. Wylde
Doris # that is what you mean
'.Eugagedr' A dead white pallor
shut down over Doris Linden's beau
tiiul brunette face and one daiutily
gloved hand clutched spasmodicalIy
at the region OF her heart
Don't look like that dear and
| C1an To har sfda atarf,,aI Il
was nothing-uothinC but a mistake.
Hamer fancied he loved me l be-
lieyed his affection was rociprocated-
We discovered the mistake in time
thank God TO avoid lifetime OF
misery. am engaged to Marc Van
couver now. Doris
Are you surc-sure Hamer never
really loved you?' demanded Doris
her brilliant burning eyes fixed upon
her cousins face
Haven / told you 1t was a mis-
take on both sides?" said Cleo. eva
sively.
| Doris gazed steadily Mt the averted
brown eyes Then turned and loft
the kitchen without further words
Cleo mechanically rinsed and hung
out the shawl removed the kettle OF
dye from the stove took of her
checked apron. fastened up her hair
and went up stairs in brown study
to change her dross but a caller
coming in at that moment prevented
her from carrying out her design ana
it was so late after that that she de-
cided TO wear the same dress the re-
mainder OF the evening.
| Doris came in from her walk about
tea time and went to her room. plead
ing a sick hea1ache Cleo noticed
how white she was and pltied ner
most sincerely.
Ought l to have told her alp she
asked herself uueasily. Somehow
she looked so white and strange
when l mentioned the old engage.
ment | really could not bring myself
to give her another shock. or course
if she has really fallen in love with
or later But not to night-no. not
to- might"
An hour later as Cleo was seated nj
the piano allowing her fingers to
wander dreamily over the keys the
door opened and handsome blond
gentleman stood before her white
and grave.
'Marcr' she cried reading an un-
detinable something in his face that
caused her blood to turn to ice In her
veins 'Oh. Marc what has hap
penod?"
The gaslight fell upon her fright
| ened, upturned face and slender
| figure in the dark blue merlno dress.
Marc Vancouver turned shade
paler and starting forward pointed
to some splashes OF scarlet On her
sleeve,
on. Cleo Cleon' he groanod dis
pairingly Child. child. how could
you do it,"
Cleo flushed unnomfortably
80 he was fastid dious as Doris had
said and the knowledge that she had
been dyeing shocked this handsomc
lover OF hers
1T had to be done Marc" she
said. looking at him dehautly. Il
could not endure it any longer
Poor Cleo
He dropped his haggard face into
his hands while she stood there in
astonishmeut
Had Marc gone mad?
Presently he raised his head and
looked at her.
Il never dreamed you loved him
still. " he said hollowly. i thought
your heart as well as your hand was
mine When you fed from the grove
an hour ago you never noticed that
you dropped your jacket picked it