The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-06-29
4 LOST ILLUSION.

turned over and over dainty sheet
OF note paper on which a few words
We're written in bold, decided char
acters. Its altogether the rummiest
so I've ever come across. An an
onymous letter. The note ran thus
1T will be worth your while to watch
your wife this afternoon; she Is max
ing call at the Hotel Metropole You
may not find your visit altogether
amusing. but you will certainly find it
inSuuCJiYe.
"By Jovew said the captain, show
absurd. Some woman, suppose.
jealous of Lily's good looks. It's al
ways woman who does that sort of
thing poor little Llly-perhaps she
may make a guess at the writer, she's
long-headed little woman"
And picking up the mysterious COM
muuication, Capt. Clitheroe was about
to make his way to his wife's room,
when that charming young lady fut-
tered into the breakfast room. in the
freshest and most fascinating of morn
ing gowns.
"Have l kept you waiting, Hugh?
I'm so sorry! and she took her place
serenely behind her urn
ANY news" she asked, glanclng at
the pile of letters beside her husbands
plate
None at all; everything is as dull
as can be-
Somehow 1t seemed ridiculous to tell
lily about the note. And then wo-
men are such extraordinary creatures,
thcre was no knowing how she might
take it.
THAT was charming dance at the
&hilisters last night" volunteered
Lily after pause, during which she
had opened several of her letters.
You certainly seemed to enjoy your
self"
II did. I-oh! here is card from
Lota Jardyne. She wants us to dine
there on the twentieth to meet the
Maharaja of Kaputhala. How that
woman gets people to go to her I
don't know. Besides why does she
ask us? We are not in that fast set,
thank goodness, and besides, she hates
me-"
Hates you! My dear Lily, what
nonsense. Why, last night she was
singing your praises to me for ever
50 long
"Oh yes. know-en tete-a -tete in
the conservatory.
Capt. Clltheroe laughed.
You are too hard on her. Lily. She
Is not so bad. though of course. I
sAould not care to have you her bosom
mend. But, really, she talked of no
tlilng but you, how graceful you were,
how charming-in fact, when she pass
ed from your hair to your teeth, | be-
san 10 leei little uneasy. l was
afraid full catalogue of your charms
was to follow"
Mrs. Clitheroe had flushed to the
roots of her golden hair.
hat
did you do?"
well, her partner came and claim
ed her for the next dance and so |
escaped. But why on earth should
you think the woman hates your"
why, you dear old simpleton! Don't
you know she will never forgive me
for being Mrs. Clitheroe? Don't you
know she wanted you to play Lancelot
to her Guiuevere?"
"Lilyw
Hugh. But never mind her. By
the way. oDar, don't think I ever
knew any one to waltz like your friend
Graham. 1t makes one think of all
those delfdOusly wicked little French
love poems that one mayn't read till
ones married"
Really, my dear Lily" laughed
Hugh.
wen, you KNOW, nehr, so lew men
DO dance nowadays that one may lie
permitted 10 enthuse q little over one
who does; and besides, Capt Graham
is altogether delightful in every way."
Yes. he's one Of the best fellows |
know I'm glad you like him
1T was 40 strange. | felt sure !
had seen him before, and we made out
we had met at Aentone when | was
travelling with uncle, years ago"
Really! Lady Jardyne said she
knew you at Mentone"
''Oh, bother Lady Jardyne! You
must ask Capt. Graham TO dine; / hike
TO know your bachelor friends"
With pleasure, darling; but he has
only just arrived, you know, and /
don't know where he has put up. How
ever, he's sure TO look In at the club"
"Oh, he told me last night he was
staying at the MeGopole"
The Metropole" and Capt Clitheroe
set down his coffee cup with jerk.
Yes; what's the natter"
"Nothing" he answered smiling:
but, glancing at his wife after mo-
menf, he fancied she looked little
disturbed and she broke the seal of an
other letter
1t was most extraordinary co.
incidence, and certainly Graham had
been particularly attentive to Lily last
night, and but it was altogether too
Impossible, yet
Mrs Clitheroe broke into his
thoughts.
"Do you know. Hugh, that Capt
Graham"
MY dear LILY, you seem TO have
Captain Graham ON the brainw .px-
claimed her husband, rising abruptly.
Mra (1ifhapOa lnnlah n Ia Inn,
slight Hugh was given to assuming
Othello-like moods at times, and they
were rather amusing to his fair Des
ieInona than otherwise.
Meantime, Hugh was gazing rather
blankly at the trees OF Grosvenor
square. and trying hard 20 dispel the
doubt that had arisen i'll his mind.
People. he reflected, who write anony-