Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-05-09

"And not at all fatherly? I under
stand. How long was it since yon had
metz"
Nine or ten years; but he was just the
same as ever; so good-nntured and pleas
ant, though he treats me like a great
BABY, and never speaks a reasonable
word to me- said Nora. smiling, and col
orlng at the tone in which Mrs. Ruthyen
had uttered her last words.
well, he must be Il charming rela tive"
remarked Mrs. Ruthven, with slight
sigh, and for a short while they talked
pleasantly Of Eyesleigh and country life;
the various places both had visited on
the continent, and the delights of the
past season in London
1t was rather ominous, was it not
that you should express such wish last
night to see all my jewels:' said Mrs.
Ruthven. IF you like | will show you
what is left of them. Unfortunately
put on the best possessed to do honor
to the Evesleigh revels.'
Thank you very much. I am exceed
lnsly fond of seeing pretty things"
Come, then" said Mrs Ruthven, and
led the way into her bedroom, where
her maid was kneeling beside a huge
dress-basket which she was packing Va
rious garments were scattered about, and
the beautiful ball dress of the previous
night lay over sofa.
Are you going away, then?" exclaimed
Nora, seeing these preparations.
Yes; leave tomorrow. I feel I can
lot shake off the nervous terror which
Expresses me while l stay here; besides,
l want to be in London. Give me my
jewel case, Virginie, and you need not
watt
Mrs. Ruthven walked across to the bay
window, in which long, low, cushioned
seat gave room both for herself and her
visitor, and drawing a work table near
her, placed the large square case upon it.
MY poor lost rubies and diamonds had
a case of their own" she said, as she
unlocked the one before her with a little
golden key which hung round her neck.
''These are mere whims and Oddities"
she continued, as she displayed variety
OF costly artistic trifes on the first tray,
and then proceeded to lift the others con-
tanning opals and diamonds, pearls tur-
Quoises, quaint, richly barbaric pieces
of Indian jeWelry enough for two greedy
women.
IF you have all these left, you are
not so much to be pitied," said Nora
laughing.
my dear Miss L'Estrange, my rubies
are worth more than all those put togeth-
err. Besides, my poor father collected
them for me, and had them set for we'd
ding present. I we'll remember Mr.. Mars
den Che was at my wedding, You know,
my husband was relation of his) telling
me that the Queen had scarcely anything
to surpass them. It is a dreadful blow
losing them, assure YOU"
eyes, can quite understand it, said
Nora, land I think you bear the loss
with wonderful equanimity."
Mrs. Ruthven smiled, and looked
dreamily out of the window.
Marsden's ardent sympathy, his eager
ness to accompany her to Lcndon, to
comfort her in every possible way, had
been an immense consolation. AS she
did not speak for moment or two, Nora
rose and went to look at the ball Dress
"What lovely gown. You were like
picture as you came into the ballroom.
Why, Mrs. Ruthven," STOPPING and gently
moving the lace drapery on the body
with her fingers, 'you drop your abundant
jewels about like the possessor of a fairy
mine! Here is u diamond among your
lace"
sic lclu 1t OUT DIS Sic SpOhV.
Mrs Ruthyen came forward with an air
of surprise, and stood gazing at it as if
stupetied.
"How could it have come there?" she
exclaimed and stopped short.
'It is a stud! Is it not like one Capt.
Shirley, or some one, wore last night"
asked Nora.
''Shirleyv repeated Mrs. Ruthven slow
". "He never had a stone like that"
She paused again, then, taking and plac-
ing it in her jewel case, she added: ut
is mine 1t is the center OF one of my
earrings, which takes out to torm a stud.
1t belongs to some I seldom wear. Vir-
ginie is really too careless. She must
have dropped it, By the way" shutting
her Jewel case sharply, ''the only part
Of my parure that wretch spared were
the butterflies on my sleeves. [ suspect
he had not time to tear them off," She
shiycred els it not horrible thought?
That wretch STOPPING over me, touching
me while I was insensible! Pray ring
the bell, dear Miss L'Estrange. l do
so want cup of tea. You will stay and
have one with me, will you not? You
cheer me-"
II shall be very glad
"Come into the next room them" said
Mrs Ruthyen, adding, Il shall not scold
Virgnie before you, it might hurt her
feelings, and she is clever maid, but
she must have been handling my things
carelessly to let that diamond drop"
(To be continued)