The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-04-08
- end my friend, and think IT'S right to

warn her" 7"
"Are you in fun or al %arnests What do
you mean by warning herr"
Lady Carew broke into laugh.
"Only that l told her to beware of a
husbands presents; that magnificent
diamond and emerald bracelet often meant
more than met the eye when it was be-
slowed propos de bottes.''
Really, haven't the smallest IDEA of
what you meant
"McanY Why, the lovely bangle you gave
her Yesterday"
II gave Maggie bangle yesterday"
Certainly. She Is wearing it tonight" I"
"You must be dreaming
Lady Carcw looked into her companions s
face with frank astonishment.
81 am very sorry" she said quietly. 81
am afraid have been indiscreet But
how was to guess? oh, what are you go
ing to dor"
For at that moment Mrs. Fawcett en-.
tered the conservatory on the arm of her
partner, and Eric Immediately rose to his
feet. Laura caught his arm.
Eric, don't be ridiculous. 1t Is some
absurd mistake! I'll take that man away.
Speak to Maggie, but for heavens sake
don't look like thatp'
But, in spite of Lady Carew's efforts, II
was not so easy to "take that man way
and while the futile, frivolous converse
tion rippled on, Eric stood by, bewildered
and stunned. Maggie, the soul of. truth
and simplicity, had told lie. There was
not the faintcst doubt that Laura haG
spoken the truth, and spoken it without
arriere- e-pensee. The stones of the mysteri
Gus bracelet glittered maliciously befor.
his eyes, and yet, had not his attention
been drawn to it, most probably he would
not have noticed 1t. 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 love
with her when he married her, but he wa.
uncomfortably conscious that he had paid
very little attention to her Of late. But
then, Maggie-who would have dreamed
At last the music struck up and Lady
Carew led off the intruder, having sue
ceeded in persuading him that his calcula
tions were out and that it was precisely
this dance she had given him.
Maggie rose. too, but her husband lai0
his hand on her arm.
"No. Stay here. want to speak t.
you"
"But'-
Il can't help engagements or anything
else. must speak to you now"
"What is itp" asked Maggie, looking ny
at him. "Why, Eric, what Is the mattery''
"Iwish to know who gave you this ban
gle"
The color flew over Maggie's throat ano
face, and her lips trembled.
"I-I can't tell yOun ~
$50 ! suppose, or you wouldn't hav,
lied to Laura Carew about It,.
"Eric!"
There was something SD pathetic abou
tho girls expression as his name burs,
from her lips--she looked SO childish, sc
helpless, and SO miserable-that tho anger
in Eric's heart died suddenly. A whole
world Of thoughts surged up in his mind.
Why had he left this child so lonely9 Th.
fault was his. Maggie, DEAR" he said
gently, Il know I've not been as ! ought
to the best little wife in the world. I've
set you bad example, and you are sc
young you don't understand things. You
don't know what men are. You've been
a little foolish perhaps. But that's all,
I'm sure-dO you hear, dear-Im quit.
sure Of that. But you must tell me the
story of that bangle.
CT Oh, Eric, I'm ashamed!' and she
turned her face away.
Tell me, dear
There was moments pause.
"Well, then, bought il myself"
"Maggie!"
"Ycs. Oh, don't think want to blame
you, Eric, but the other women l know
were always having presents from their
husbands-aowers 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 at
him.
Il wanted people to think you spoiled
me; that you were in love with me still. y
Eric Fawcett did not return to the Della.
wares, and couple of days later the dia
mond and emerald bangle had compan.
ion, which was clasped OH Maggie's arm
nv har Inn . ha MI hiv,cof I npl,,, Would