The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-27

More than an hour Of suspense passed
by. Mrs. Wilson was anxously pacing
up and down her room when Miss
Brooke came in.
"Well!" Mrs. Wilson exclaimed
breathlessly, have you seen Maria?"
Yes, 1 have had a long talk with
Mrs. Raymond"
"And you have bad news. ! see It in
your face. Tell me at once, anything
is better than suspense. Has she the
diamond necklace?"
Miss Brooke shook her head sadly.
she knew nothing about 1t. And
though l was ever so diplomatic in APP
preaching the subject, she was quite
annoyed--insulted, even-at the merest
suggestion of diamonds in connection
with her"
II knew it! ] was sure of it," cried
Mrs. Wilson, throwing herself on
sofa which stood near, and bursting
into a passion of tears.
1t was some time before she could
tell the story of the occurrence at the
Broughton ball to Miss Brooke. At last
it was told, with many falterings and
| emotional Interruptions. followed by
the terrible narration of all the cir
| cumstances in connection with the
Mr.. Wilson in such a deadly way. Miss
| Brooke could not but admit that the
| evidence was very damning. 1t might
have astonished her. as an experienced
woman of the world, to discover saint
| amongst the husbands of her friends,
! but no so the contrary case. Her at
| tempts a consolation were very feeble;
! unconvinced and unconvincing. Mrs.
| Wilson cut them short. "There is no
! good i'm pretence, Julia. The whole
| thing is clear as day. ] was fool, but
! am not going to be one any longer.
| Oh. the horrible ingenuity Of the
| scheme / was! Ana to think that
| George did all. How l fell into every
| trap set for me! Why did not the let
| ter from Monte Carlo, enjoining silence
| about the necklace. make me suspect
| nothing Fool. fool, fool that this to
deceive me! Oh, Julia, my heart is
broken"
After a fresh outburst of despairng
sobs a revulsion of feeling came. Mrs.
| Wilson's tears were checked; indigna-
tion and anger began to rise within
her. The nineteenth century produces
few wives of the patient Grselda type
perhaps no century did but only the
| poets imagination. Mrs. Wilson was
not disposed to bow her head meekly
before her husbands i'll treatment of
her. Miss Brooke found her powers
taxed to 'he utmost in moderating the
outraged wifes desire to separate from
| her husband at once, not to remain an
other night under his roof.
II don't care if every one knows
she cried recklessly. 81 want every
one to know. The sooner that shame
less woman is exposed the better The
irreproachable Miss Spencer" The
wicked hyprocrite! She shall soon be
unmasked before the whole world
Finally. after great persuasion, Mrs.
Wilson agreed to talk the matter over
with Mrs. Raymond, and to write and
ask Mr.. Wilson for an explanation be-
fore doing anything. She forthwith sat
down and dashed off hasty and We
hement letter TO her husband; the visit
to Mrs. Raymond sh" nut off to an
early hour the next morning.
The change in Mrs. Wilson's appear
anCe, the distressed state in which she
pre- sented herself to her sister-in-law,
after another night of misery, shocked
| and surprised that lady. ON hearing
the story she was appalled,.
He did visit me that afternoon, ,"
she exclaimed. And now | know the
meaning of that box of chocolate
Creams!"
Chocolate creams?"
Yes, he gave me a box Of sweets,
although he knew, or ought to have
known. that Sir Gordon Jones had
strictly forbidden all saccharine in my
diet" The memory of the insult to
her sensbility as an invalid on diet,
| iplionufiT,, In,
mond:S breast
Gould lre have made a mistake? Did
he confuse the packages and mean to
give the bonbons to that girl?"
The sudden hope which had seized
Mrs. Wilson was soon dispelled by Mrs.
| Raymond
unfortunately, there was no mis-
take. He told me himself that they
We're chocolate creams. | was greatly
wounded, even angry, with George
bur l had no opportunity of express
ing my feelings, as several visitors
came in just at the moment. ] did not
see him alone afterwards. You are
quite certain that the girl has the
necklace you saw with George-that
1t is the same?"
Absolutely certain. Had you ever seen
it you would know that there could ne
no mistake. Beside, is it not a perfect
certainty that you have not got it?
Mrs. Raymond shook her head sadly.
ut is dreadful business! And | al
ways thought that girl so superior; so
nice and good"
81 never did," said Mrs. Wilson vicious
lY. Il always knew well what she really
was. Every one else will soon know
also"
hrs. Wilson's letter to her husband was
promptly answered by a telegram
Yours just received. Quite unable 10
understand it, Am leaving by next train
Expect me tomorrow night"
The interview between the husband
and wife took place in the latter's bou-
| doir Mr.. Wilson, on rushing into the
room, still in his travelling dress, had been
motioned back as he advanced toward mis-
wife.
What has happened? What is it," he
exclaimed, in deep alarm. Edith, dar-
ling, tell me at once"'
There is no longer any need for act
ing" Mrs. Wilson'S voice was cold and
hard, Ike her pale face. II saw the neck
lace as ! told you on that woman"
"YOur letter was incomprehcnsible.
am utterly in the dark. What necklacei
! What woman?
1.-THE surprise necklace you gave Ma.
, ria" Mrs. Wilson smiled scornfuAy. i
, had the pleasure of seeing 1t on Mis-:
Spencer The brazen creature dared lC
haunt it before my eyes at the Brough,
ton ball. Now, are you still in the DARK? ??
Absolutely! Utterlyw
"What heartlessness! What acting! But
you will never again succeed in. decoiv'
ing me-"
'You will succeed in driving me mad
Mr.. Wilson exclaimed. "If Maria gave
, away the necklace-what id bad tas tt
hut bat 1,aU | 10 Il Wit I.