Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-04-27

| ueT UOJ very dDtTuSc TeIUdThS Iue-
chanically. 1t was doubtless bad form,
| but her eyes sought her husbands fig
| ure; he was waltzing with Laura-it
seemed to her that he was always
waltzing with Laura. But, then, per-
maps Eric might be thinking the same
thing OF her, for she had certainly
danced a great many times with this
MI. Observation-Disclosures was not at
all sure of his name, and she really
| dld not care at all who was her part
ner. The Darshire hunt ball was not
amusing, she thought, and it was
little embarrassing that so many peo-
pie noticed and admired her bangle;
she touched it doubtfully, twisting 1t
on her arm so that the diamonds
flashed in her eyes. 1t was very pref
ty, but
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 ire
mendously'
Not half as much as I am" replied
Eric, with a laugh. 1T is quite like
old times, isn't it," he added, draw
ing low seat forward for his COM
! panion.
20, my dear Eric, don't try to be
| sentimental But. really, l begin TO
think my warning 10 Maggie was not
| uncalled-"
Eth! what warning?"
well, it rather seems to me that the
Old Adam is returning, my friend
| that domestic joys are palling, and for
| hidden fruit is becoming terribly at
| tractive."
us that challenger"
mot at all; besides, Maggie is my
cousin and my friend, and l think it's
right to warn her."
Are you in fun or in earnest? What
do you mean by warning her?'
Lady Carew broke into a laugh.
only that l told her to beware Of
husbands presents-that a magni-
| ficent diamond and emerald bracelet
often meant more than met the eye
when it was bestowed a propos de
bottes.''
Really. 1 haven't the smallest idea
of what you meant"
Mean? Why, the lovely bangle you
gave her yesterday"
Il gave Maggie a bangle yesterday"
Certainly. She is wearing it to-
night"
You must be dreaming"
Lady Carew looked into her COM
panion's face with frank establishment.
Il am very sorry" she said quietly.
81 am afraid / have been indiscreet;
but how was l to guess? o, what are
you going to do?"
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, it is some
absurd mistake! I'll take that man
away. Speak to Maggie, but for heav-
ems sake don't look like that,'
But, in spite of Lady Carew's efforts.
it was not so easy to take that man
away" and while the futile. frivolous
conversation rippled on, Eric stood by,
bewildered and stunned. Maggie, the
soul of truth and simplicity, had told
| lie. There was not the faintest doubt
that Laura had spoken the truth, and
spoken it without arriere-pensee. The
stones of the mysterious bracelet gilt
tered maliciously 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
love 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 the 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.
mo; stay here. | want to speak to
you"
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?"
Il wish to know who gave you this
bangle"
The color flew over Maggie's throat
and face, and her lips trembled.
II can't tell YOU
80 1 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 so 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. Maggie, DEAR" he said gently, Il
Il -