The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-03-17
had once made bright the low. wide


That night the judges home was bril-
liant with many lights, for Miss Law.
renee had organized amateur theatricals
to enliven her timein Cloverdale, and the
elite of the place was to assist in them.
To John Stratton had been given a part
with the beauty herself, and he was full
of pride and pleasure with never a
thought Of the pathetic face that had
looked into his that snowy evening. In
late, with her thoughts far away at that
bright scene in which she had no share,
picturing Miss Lawrence more beauti-
full than ever, and in Johns blue eyes
that look of devotion that had stolen he1
W heart away. The old people nod
ded before the fire, and at last Mlysie
could stand it no longer, but throwing
on her long brown cloak with it's close
hood made her way to the hill On whicl
stood the judges mansion.
Her only thought was to see for her
self what John was doing and to pierce
her heart with the sight of her rivals
charms. So she never saw the figure
that followed her, amazed to see her out
in the cold night. On she went, and
reaching the house took her place close
to one of the long windows opening on
to the snow covered lawn, there to press
her small, pale face close to the glass
and peer in at the busy figures who, the
theatricals over, were dancing to the
music of the band, the notes of which
Maysie never will forget to the end of
her life. Once she came heal being de-
tected, for Miss Lawrence, leaning on
John Stratton's arm, opened the window
by which she c%rouched, saying aloud
that the air of the room was oppressive
for all it was so cold outside. But, hid
ing under a rose tree that gripped her
with its thorns, Maysie was unseen in
the brief moment it pleased the capricious
belle to stand in the icy air.
They went away after that, and the
poor girl saw John, who did not dance.
leaning against the wall looking after
Miss Lawrence, Waiting with another
man, with his heart in his eyes. But all
at once the unseen watcher saw the lady
clasp her hand suddenly about her
throat, with the gesture of one who had
missed something, and then the dance
came to an end, while every one joined
in the search for the lost object. Miss
Lawrence went hastily to the window,
and throwing it open said in her high,
clear voice, 81 must have dropped it
when I stood here" And then before
Maysie could spring away-a movement
all the company saw-she was seized by
the arm, her rivals fingers closing on the
tender flesh with a strength that held
her fast.
"You havemy diamond cross, girl, and
are now trying to run away with it,
and dragged the terror stricken child
into the midst Of the gayly dressed as
sembly.
"Give it to me at once, and you can go
free for all 1 care" said Miss Lawrence,
plying in spite Of herself the whitefaced
little creature whom she had often seen
gazing after her with such wistful eyes
that could not, however, touch her into
leaving her lover. Maysie turned her
face to John, who stood amazed and be-
wildered, looking from one to the other,
for he thought that Miss Lawrence must
have some grounds for her accusation,
but never darling to Maysie's side, as she
half expected him to do. The poor girl
turned sick and blind and would have
fallen to the floor, but at that moment
an indignant voice behind caused herano
all the company to give their attention
to Trueman Ellis.
Chow dare you accuse that younglady
of theft! Do you not know who this is:
This is Miss Maysie Bruce, who is as i'll
capable of the act as an angel in heaven.
And look. Is not that your cross caught
in the lace of your bosom?"
Miss Lawrence looked down and flush
ing all over her face disengaged the
jewel from the torn place in the lave.
then stammered out an apology to faint
ing Maysie, but Trueman Ellis paid no
heed, but passing his arm about his poor
little love led her from the room. John
Stratton followed and would have taken
her from him with tender words of con
triton, for in that moment he had found
out that he loved Maysie and that the
glamour thrown over him by Miss Law
renee was but for an hour, but Trueman
sternly put him aside, and Maysie, bury
ing her face in her true lovers breast,
would not look at him, but, clinging to
Trueman, let him lead her home.
Miss Lawrence found to her chagrin
that she had lost her whilom lover and
went home in a few days carrying a
memory with her that did not fade soon.
John sought Maysie the next day and
pleaded with her 10 give him back the
love he had sighted, but though she for
gave him readily enough, for her nature
was too sweet to bear resentment, the
recollection of his averted face in her
hour of need was too fresh for her to
ever restore him to his old place in her
heart, and in the spring she married
Trueman Ellis, who had won her that
dreadful night.-Willa Lloyd jackson in
Philadelphia Times.
Why New York Women Feel Weary.
When In old lady like the English
L. e IT,