Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-05-28
come. hurry in now. Have you forgotten
i IL. L.

found Il : two girls in Esthcr's room.
lounging back in low chairs before the fire.
and talking as girls only can when they
have known each other for years. and
have been parted for Il while. a rosy
light from the west came in through the
wide window. and mingled with the red
glow of the fire.
Esther" Dulcic said presently. laying
her cup down and looking across at her
friend with smile in her eyes. what
about this lover of yoursr Is it quite true
that you are engaged
II believe so."
The girls face flushed so hotly as she
said il that the smile dccpcncd perccpu.
bly, in Dulcic's eyes.
"Wcll. tell me about him. dear
ooh. there Is nothing to tell. Dulcic!
I--rcally---" stammcrng.
"you are in love with him, hopcV
"Of course" with little stare of sur
prise and hotter blush than ever.
Then Esther rose. and going to little
fancy box on the dressing table. she took
from it large silver lockct attached to a
chain.
"That is his likeness" she said. softly.
coming back 10 the hearth. and laying the
lockct open on her friends hand.
As Dulcic leaned forward TO examine II.
Esther slipped down on the rug at her
feet. and with her elbows on her knees
looked mp at her. AS she looked at her.
n great surprise came TO her. Dc,ce's
face had changed at sight of that pictured
face, in it's plain silver setting. till Is.
tAer half wondered IL her own eyes were
not playing her some trick. IL could not
lie. she thought. that Dulcic's face had
really looked like that. II was some
shadow Of the freight that had deceived
her eyes for an instant
Surprisc--dismay- anguish swept over
the piuuant. blooming face. which the red
light showed out so plainly. The bloom
all died out Of II: the arch look faded. In
their place came stony pallor. a rigid
look that was woeful.
At last she looked up. and caught Is.
Tiers surprised eyes watching her. She
| smiled wanly. and held up her hand. as II
TO shield her face from the iirc.glow.
"IIc is good.looking. Etty. don't think
I ever saw q hands0mcr facc.'
But he 10 better than that Esther an
swcrcd, with fond shy pride in her lover.
"Iic is So noble and faithful, and-sEd-
| tender. bulcic.'
Dulcic shivrrcd n little.
| rs he. my darlingr l am very glad.
| He could hardly he too good for Queen
| Esther" softly smoothing the fair check
| so close to her own. And then, laughing
little harshly-'I only hope he Is no, a
ver'ablc King Ahasuerns 20 your Esther
| lie did not have another queen before
you. did he. Ettyf"
II don't understand you"
"You remember don't youi-that King
| Ahasucrus had put away one wife bc.
cause she had will Of her own before
| ever he took unto himself the fair Jewish
| maiden
| percy never had wife,
| "No"--with a hooking laugh: but he
may have had sweetheart, ETY."
IL think not. am sure not.'--a little
coldly. rising and putting her locket care
fully back into its case.
| Dulcic answered nothing to that. She
seemed suddenly to have grown quite
chilly. for she crouchcd forward nearer
the fire. with her elbows on her knees.
and her chin buried In her little pink
palms. Once or twice she closed her eyes
n If they smartcd. and II even seemed as
| IL there were n line of moisture on the
long frinccs. but that could scarcely
have been. for Dulcic had often boosted
| rUur SHt HUu trNu Us ll''it III ne rs
| "if she had been u boy"
| Presently Mrs. Ilardingr came back for
her tea. The Gas was lighted. aud the
talk went on again brisk,y: hut never one"
was Esthcr's lover mentioned.
| Dulcir's boxes had been taken into rs.
| Tiers roon and the two girls dressed to-
rcthcr. Mrs. liardingc own toilet
inadc-camc back to supcrnicnd theirs.
quiet as usual. hut critical.
"Whnt dress must I put on tonight.
Bcrta;" Esther asked. turning round-a
cleaning white vision, barc-urmcd and
arc.shoudcrcd-from the glass.
"iour blue cashmere. ! think. and III
lend you ruby fan; 1t win go nicely with
It,"
"Bluc and ruby" Esther laughed. "Iou
are determined ! shall not lack color to.
night. Bcr,a.'
Meanwhile little Dulcic was busy pick.
ing ont from III" wrl.packcd boxes the
dress she wanted. When II was laid out
on the bed Mrs. linrlingc's quick eye took
note of il. 1t did not please her. perhaps.
for a kind Of quicker came between her
dark. straight hrows.
| Yet II was n very pretty dress. II was
of Genoa velvet; the darkest tint Of green
| it looked almost black IN some lights
soft, rich, exquisite t. touch and sight.
The bodice was cut very low. with tight
sleeves reaching 90 the elbows. and there
were the prctticst lace trimmings about
the bosom. aud falling loose and light
about the dimplcd arms.
Esther called out In delight AZ sight Of
tor rather Dulcic In it-f0r II was the
girl that she admired more than the dress.
| "Nou are perfect picture, Dulcic. Even