The morning times., 1897-02-05

Peltvan Pelt rested her handsome head
In her hands and wept.
But after She had taken time to think the
matter over she came to the conclusion
that things were not nearly so bad as
they might have been after ALL She
had uhwittingiy thwarted their plans in
regard to the ball dress, and having done
that much, she carefully formulated plot
for foiling them altogether. There was
great satisfaction in the contemplation OF
revenge, and she set to work with vim
to conccct scheme through which she
might ultimately reyel in the inglorious
defeat of her rival and her husband.
The Templars' ball, when was referred
To in the note was to be held on the
evening OF December %, two DAYS after
Mrs. Pelt-Van Pelt's unique experience
in HooperS store. She had received no
invitation, for that was an event from
which she had hitherto held contemptuOusly
aioof, but knowing that her prestige was
an open sesame TO any social assembly in
the land she determined to put her pride
IN her pocket and go without being asked.
Mr.. Pelt-Van Peit was away but she
felt sure he would be back in time for tht.
ball for he had expressed q sincere de-
sire TO see his Darling Laura" there,
and it was the intention OF his wife to
make her vengeance complete by sur
prising them together. Mr. Pelt-Van
Pet came home Just as she wGs ready to
go down TO her carriage on the evening OF
the Templars ball. She regarded him
keeniy when they met on the stairway, but
not trace OF surprise was visible in his
goOd-looking face; nothing but admiration
for his wife and her gorgeous costume
could be detected, and she turned away
in disappointment.
"By George, Victoria" said he, proudly,
"what a stunning dress that is Where
did you get it?''
''At HoOper's" she replied, coldly. II
am going TO the Templars' ball Get
ready and come with me-"
Il don't know whether l ought to go or
not" he said, hesltatingly. I'm so
tired. But / suppose I may as well. III
go If you'll promise 10 come home early"
Mrs. Petty and Pelt smiled to hide the
contemptuous curling OF her lip.
''Ob, yes" she said, '.IlI come home
any time you like"
She watched all evening for the woman
who looked like her but it was after mid
night beforeshe found her. She was dressed
in some kind OF white, gauZy stuff, and al
though she was partially concealed by
marble pillar near one OF the doors, it was
quite plain that she was very beautiful.
Mr.. Pelt-Van Pelt looked in the same
direction at the same time and saw her,
too. He started visibly and commenced
to make some remark about wonderful re-
Fut
down like a wise, on his arm, and cut him
short in his little speech.
Il think we had better go home" she
said
The next morning, directly after break
fast, Mrs. Pelt-Van Pelt had n caller
Mi Arthur Robertson was the name on
the card, and in one corner he had written
with pencil: Urgent business The
name was that of a stranger, but as the
business was Important she decided TO give
him a hearing.
II was d good thing he had told her
his name was Arthur Robertson, other
wise she would have been willing to testify
that it was Robertson Pelt-Van PeIt. so
striking was the resemblance between the
two men. Indeed, even With the card be
fore her, and his verbal assurance ring
ing in her ears, she could with difficulty
persuade herself that it was not her
husband who was standing before her.
'Madam, lie said, Il have called on a.
mission Of great deIicacy. Somebody las
made sad mistake in regard TO a dress
OF old rose satin which friend Of mine
was to have worn 10 the Templars' ban
last night Understand, madam, neither
my friend, Laura Adams, nor myself at
tach any blame to YOU. We wish TO have
the matter Strengthened out, that is all
Wien my friend called at HOopers for the
dress last Wednesday evening tie fore
woman told her some sort of an impr0 babIe
story about its having been taken away
by woman whom they supposed to be
size. We went TO the ball last night and
when we saw you there with that dress on
we We're naturally greatly mystified.
We do not care for tile value of the dress
you came to have it
Mrs. Pelt-Van Pelt's grandeur had be-
come as lowly as the proverbial grain Of
mustard seed and she sat before him look
ing blankly into his fair, honest face.
Presently she arose and left the room, and
when she returned she handed him the
letter that had been found in the folds of
the satin dress.
did you write this?'' she asked.
Yes, yes he said, impaticntly Where
did you find it? / was afraid / wouldn't
get back in time for the ball.
Mrs. PeItyan Pelt had gotten into a
whole ocean of humiliation by that time,
but she resolutely kept her head above
water, and then. for the first time in her
life, She confessed TO having fallen into
| one OF those pitfalls of error which DER
petually menace the safety of less exalted
persons.
Il thought my husband wrote it" she
said. Il was jealous Of the woman and I
hated him. / could have forgiven him for
fancying someone who was unlike me. but
but when he chose woman W no was the
very image of myself couldn't stand it,.
| took the dress because | wanted to have
revenge. But ! don't care for il now
since am convinced he is innocent Your
friend may have it,
In the afternoon Mrs. Pelt-Van Pelt sent
the dress 10 its rightful owner.
Victoria" said Mr. Pelt-Van Pelt one
evening about month later. '.what has
become of that satin dress YOU Wore tn
the Templars' ball? 1t was an elegant
| thing"
Mrs. Peit-Van Pelt smiled graciousIv.
did you think so?" she said. carelesslr
Somehow never liked it"
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