Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-29

Dul uer eyes sought nSf nuSDhhuS llS-
ure he was waltzing with Daurar-it
seemed to- her that he was always
Waiting with Laura. But, then, per-
haps Eric mightibe thinking tho same
thing of her, for she had certainly
danced a great many times with this
Mr.. Decentralization was not at
all sure of his name, and she really
did not care at all who was her part
ner. The Darshire hunt ball was not
amusing, she thought, and it was a.
little embarrassing that so many peoA-
pie noticed and admired her bangles
she touched 1t doubtfully, twisting 1t
ON her arm So that the diamonds.
flashed in her eyes. 1t was very pref
tyy but
Maggie seems, to be- putting in a
very good tire tonight" observed
Lady Oarew as she strolled into the
conservatory with Eric Fawcett "she
appears to be enjoying herself ire
mendously"
Not half as much as / am" replied
Eric, with a laugh. 1T is quite like
old times, isn't it?" he added, draw
Ing a low seat forward for his COM
paniony
20, my dear Eric, don't try to- be
sentimental! But, really, l begin to-
think my warning to Maggie was not
uncalled-"
"Eh! what warning?"
WELL 1t 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."
lis that a challenger"
Not at all; besides, Maggie is my,
cousin and my friend, and 1 think it's,
right to warn her."
Are you in fun or in earnest? What
do you mean by warning herr"
Lady Carew broke into laugh.
only that I told her to bOware Of
husbands presents-that a magni-
ticent diamond and emerald bracelet
often meant more than met the eye
when 1t was bestowed a propos do
bottes."
Really, haven't the smallest idea
of what you meant"
Mean? Why, the lovely bangle you
gave her yesterday"
Il gave Maggie bangle yesterday%
Certainly. She is wearing 1t 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.
II am afraid I have been indiscreet;
but how was I 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 mistakeI 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 wifes.
and Maggie. might have presumed on
that.
But Maggle!-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
Ab ldNI IhO AhuSAN oCAuCh up, anu |
Lady Carew led off the intruder, hay
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.
"No; stay here. 1 want to speak to
you"
II 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?"
81 wish to know who gave you this
bangle"
The color flew over Maggie's throat
and face, and her lips trembled.
IL can't tell you"
$50 I suppose, or you wouldn't have
led 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
A whole world of thoughts