Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-10-07
In IVORY AND BLACK.

4NtNIt%C@A
prising, that Eda Norris could not
answer it. She had been displaying
her birthday gifts to an old school
friend. reserving till the last the
present received from her betrothed,
when Mamie's sharp black eyes had
fallen upon it, and brief. very brief
scrutiny evoked the above exclama-
tion.
Il do not know what you mean. I"
said Eda. little stiffly. when the in
quiry was repeated. 81 have not
seen Miss Mitchenson half-a-dozen
times since left school; my mother
did not wish me to keep up the ac-
quaintance.
'.And no wonder, for Polly is an
awful flirt; makes herself notorious
with the number of her lovers. But
she is an attractive little thing. no
one can help liking her; and she was
always fond OF you, Eda; that's why
she remembered your birthday"
'.But she did not remember it, :"
was the response. ''Nor should l
have accepted present from her if
she had. The fan you are looking
at was given to me by Laurie. 1t is
very pretty is it not?"
VERY. said Mamie. picking it up
and laying it down again, with such
a peculiar smile upon her face. that
provoked Eda to ask the cause.
why do you look at me so oddly?
And what made you think this fan
had ever belonged to Polly Alitchen-
son? Laurie bought it for me at
Blanks, in Regent street; you can
see their name upon the box.
"Oh.. yes, l know it came from
Blanks, replied her friend, in the
same curt manner land then she would
have launched into raptures over a
dainty little lady's companion. if an
noyed Eda had not prevented it.
81 wish you would speak out plain
ly, Mamie. What is it you know, or
fancy You know, about this fan?"
My dear, | would not, for worlds,
make mischief between two fond
lovers, so don't catechise me. 1 wish
had not recognized the thing. And,
after all. what matters? 1t was
Poliy's. but it is yours and it proves
hlAttN big - AOH do uu5EEupulOu5 DIS
she is represented
"Explain yourself / am as much
in the dark as ever,n cried Eda, now
growing red and angry. What wa:
Polly Mitchenson to her, or, rather
to her intended husband the clever
rising young fellow, of whose abilI
ties and affections she was so proud
'Nonsense, Eda; you know, ant
everyone knows, it is reported tina
she accepts everything that is offered
at her shrine, and never returns tn,
gifts of her votaries. A foolish
cousin of mine, who fancied she
meant to marry him, presented he
with a very valuable ring. Sh,
almost broke his heart, and he wen
abroad, but she still wears the ring
Isn't it heartless of her?"
Sand do you mean to imply tina
this fan was originally given to he
by--by Laurence Hayward? Re
turned to him, and then presented t,
me?" queried Eda, very slowly
Mamie hemmed. hesitated, and fin
ally said:
"Well, really, dear, it looks like it
doesn't it?"
''No9' was the passionate response
at is false! it is cruel SANDER
Laurie is incapable of such mean
ness. What! deliberately offer Il
me, his promised wife, gift tina
had been bestowed on such a girl a
Polly Mitchenson? / never, neve
will believe it, f"
Eda burst into angry tears, an
Mamie ran for water and salts, an
did her best to soothe the weeper.
"Pray drink this, dear, and thin
no more about my foolish revela
tions. How could I be so silly
Mother often says talk too fast, an
so l do; but indeed and indeed
hadn't thought of making mischief
and | couldn't help recognizing tn
fan. could i? You see it was Away
in Polly's hands at one time, and sh
never would say who gave it to hel
though / was very curious to know
because she made such a mystery {
it
Eda sat for some minutes with he
face buried in her handkerchief, the
started up and dashed away he
tears.
"You are goose, Mamie, and | az
a greater one for listening to yor
OF course you are deceived by far
cied resem blance. There are plent
of ivory and black ostrich feathe
fans imported from China and Japa
every year, and the one you saw i
that girls possession was, daresay
broken and spoiled long ago
"Polly did break one Of the sticks,
Mamie admitted; ''but she took it I
Blanks, and they mended it so neatly
that it was only by the most carefl
examination that you could deteC
the haw.n
aThen here. " cried Eda, snatchin
up the pretty toy and unfurling it
a.here you have convincing proof {
-four mistake. Look for yourself an
acknowledge that you have don
Laurie the greatest injustice