The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-01-15

while she scanned 1t inch by Inch. There
was no date visible in the postmark, and
both stamps, the more she peered at them
showed signs Of having been taml1ered
with. Turning the letter over, she studied
its fastening This, too, looked suspicious.
A smile crept between her lips, and she
slowly nodded All the trouble had gone
out of her gaze, but they who knew her
best could have seen there sly wickedness.
II knew that girl was in for some nasty
trick" she murmured TO herself. "Now
We shall sec what we shall see.
Flossie soon went down stairs into the
drawing room with the letter in her pocket.
She felt ALMOST certain what would hap
pen next. Five minutes later the hall bell
rang, and in came Leah Seymour full Of
eager inquiry.
"Oh, Flossie," she said, "I'm confident
that must have dropped one of my letters
here--one of those, you know, that ! took
out while talking with you. I missed it
after I'd got to cousin Amanda's. She
lives just here, you remember, in Madison
avenue-and, by the way, Pm SO glad to
tell you that she's ever so much better.
Let me think. This was the chair sat In,
was it not2'
Eyes" said FIossie, "that was the
chair"
But don't see any signs Of the letter
anywhere And Leah moved stoopingly
to left and right.
Perhaps you dropped IT somewhere
else"
Leah shot a quick, nervous glance at
Flossie. Was there game Of checkmate
hAf. nr,O ual 10 atko.
and resolved to do with i5odious, horrify-
ing things Had she opened 1t and discoy-
cred the piece Of white paper?
81 think, said Leah, THAT must have
let 1t fall when took 1t out with those
others"
Apparently you haven't" said Flossie
In her most innocent tones. Just then the
near hall bell sounded.
Thats Jack, very probably" continued
Flossie, glancing at the clock. "He's COM
ing to luncheon.
Leah paled. Luncheon At II O'Clock
in the morning." she faltered.
"He has way, dear old Jack, of COM
ing two hours earlier than he ought
Leah felt as If she were losing her head.
"Don't-don't mention to him, please,
anything about the lost letterp'
"NoP" said Flossis, lifting her brows In
meek wonderment "Why notf''~
Leah stifeda cry of wrath. She had an
impulse to rush from the room. AS Jack
presently entered, she stood lingering with
little feverish clutches the back of the
chair behind which she had almost braced
herself.
Jack gave his greetings to both girls.
HI naf LOT I'D H..
began Flossie. And then she ratified off in
her most ingenuous manner full explana-
ton.
Meantime she had moved toward table
full of brio-a. brac, and while leaning over
1t with an air Of search sudden little cry
escaped her.
"Why, hero 1t isl One of the servants
must have found it, and"-
"Giye it me!' cried Leah, slipping to-
ward her.
But Flossie, with an august frewn, put
1t behind her back. "No Leah" she said
sternly. "This letter ia directed to you in
Jacks handwriting. What does 1t mean2"
Then she turned toward her lover and
glared at him. "Jack, do you write Leah
such big letters as this? wasn't aware
that you correspondent with her at alp
She held the letter SO that jack could
clearly read its superscription.
Leah stood, colorless, yisibly trembling
"Flossie," she gasped, "giye me that let =
teri It's mine. The address is In hand
that may resemble Jack's-Mr. Trescott's
but still''-
ooh, 1t is my hand" said Jack, with
frightened look at Flossie. "There's no
denying that"
lyon admit 1t" mildly thundeTed Flos.
sic. Every we'll, Jack. Then open it
open it in my presence. And she thrust
the letter into his hands.
Leah's eyes flashed like knife blades.
She sprang toward Jack. "Mr. PRESCOTT"
she cried, "giye me that letter. AS gen.
tleman you mustH'
Jack held the letter tightly between both
hands. "I-I hope I'm gentleman, but
really in this case I think ! ought to find
out whether I've been writing to you in
my sleep or whether'-
Writing to her in your sleepp' walled
Flossie. ooh, do you suppose I'll stand
any such contemplate excuseS" And she
caught out her handkerchief and laughed
in it, though her laughter sounded like
sobs.
This was too much for Jack, sit Is my
handwriting, Flossie," he broke forth,
"but I'm ready to swear that haven't
written Leah-Miss Seymour-a line in
in six weeksr'
"Proye 1t, thenr' commanded Flossie,
snatching the handkerchief from her face
and towering before him with one arm up-
lifted, like tragedy queen. "Open the
letter."
Jack looked at her in dire alarm. He
tore the envelope apart, and in another seq
ond Flossie had grasped its contents-a
large, close folded sheet of blank white pa
Leah darted to one Of the DOORS AT Its
thresholu, WIN STRAINED lace ana stfan-