Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-04-03

Sne really ala not care NJ al WHO whs
her partner. The Darshre Hunt Ball
was not amusing, she thought, and it
was n little embarrassing that SO many
people noticed aad admired her ban.
gle; she touched it doubtfully, twist.
ing it on her arm so that the diamonds
flashed in her eyes. 1t was very
pretty, bnt--
"Maggie seems to be putting in a
very good time tonight" observed
Lady Carew as she strolled into the
conservatory with Eric Fawcett; ;
"she appears to be enjoying herself
tremendously"
"Not half as much as am, :" replied
Eric, with laugh. SIT is quite like
old times, isn't it?" he added, draw
ing low seat forward for his com.
panion.
"Oh, my dear Eric, don't try to be
sentimental! But really, l begin to
think my warning to Maggie was not
uncalled"-
"Ehl what warning?'
swell, it rather seems to mo that
the old Adam is returning, my friend; !;
that domestic joys are pailing. and
forbidden fruit is becoming terribly
attractive"
ISIS that challenger"
"Not at all; besides, Maggie is my
cousin and my friend, and L think it
right to warn her."
"Are you in fun or in earnest?
What do you mean by warning her?"
Lady Carew broke into n laugh.
"Only that told her to beware OF
husbands presents-that magnif.
cent diamond and emerald bracelet
often meant more than met the eye" !"
"Really, I haven't the smallest idea
of what you mean!"
"Mean? Why, the lovely bangle
you gave her Yesterday"
81 gave Maggie bangle yester'
day?"
"Certainly. Sho is wearing it to-
night"
"You must be dreaming!"
Lady Carew looked into her com.
panion's face with frank astonishment.
"I am very sorry," she said quietly.
81 am afraid I have been indiscreet; /;
but how was I to guess?-oh, what are
you going to do?"
For Mt that moment Mrs. Fawcett
entered the conservatory on the arm
OF her partner. aud Eric Immediately
rose to his feet. Laura caught his
arm.
"Eric, don't be ridiculous, it is
some absurd mistake! I'll take that
man away. Speak to Maggie. but for
Heavens sake don't look like that!"
But, in spite of Lady Carew's ef-
forts, it was not SO easy to take that
man away" and while the futile, friv-
olous CONSERVATION rippled on, Eric
stood by, bewildered, and stunned.
Maggie, the soul of truth and SIM
plicity, had told lie. There was not
the faintest doubt that Laura had
spoken the truth, sad spoken it with.
out arriere.pensee. The stones of the
mysterious bracelet glittered mali
ciousiy before his eyes, and yet, had not
his attention been drawn to it, most
probably he would not have noticed it.
The details of any other woman's dress
were always more obvious to Eric
than those of his wife's, and Maggie
might have presumed on that.
But, Maggie !-he was very much in
loye with her when he married her,
but he was uncomfortably conscious
that he had paid very little attention
to her of late. But then, Maggie
who would have dreamed
At last tho music struck up, and
Lady Carew led off the intruder, hav.
ing succeeded in persuading him that
his calculations were out, and that it
was precisely this dance she had given
him.
Maggie rose, too, but her husband
laid his hand on her arm.
"No; stay here, I want to speak to
you"
"But-"
81 can't help engagements or any.
thing else. must speak to you
now"
"What is it?" asked Maggie, looking
up at him. "Why, Eric, what is the
matter?"
81 wish to know who gave you this
bangle"
The color flew over Maggie's throat
and face and her lips trembled.
ell can't tell you.
$50 suppose, or you wouldn't have
lied to Laura Carew about it"
"Eric!'
There was something so pathetic
about the girls expression as his name
burst from her lips-she looked so
childish, so helpless and 80 miserable
that the anger in Eric's heart died
suddenly. A whole world of thoughts
surged up in his mind. Why had he
left this child SO lonely? The fault
was his. "Magg,e, DEAR" he said
gently, II know I've not been as I
ought to the best little wife in the
world. I've set you bad example,
and you are so young you don't un.
derstand thines-you don't know what
men are; you've been little foolish,
perhaps, but that's all, I'm sure-do
you hear, dear?-I'm quite sure OF
that. But you must tell me the story
of that bangle"
"I-oh, Eric, I'm ashamed" and
she turned her face away.
"Tell me, dear"
There was moments pause.
"Well, then, bought it myselfp
"Maggie !"
"Yes. Oh, don't think I want to
blame you, Eric, but the other women
I know were always having present.
from their husbands flowers and
sweets and trinkets-and so as you
as YOU did not think of them, bought
them myself and said you'd given them
to me-"
Eric held her at arms length. She
raised her face suddenly and looked al
him.
II wanted people to think yor
spoilt me - that you were in love witt
me STILL"
Eric Fawcett did not return to the