New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-13

eighteen was married to him out or hand, and
taken away without even being given time to
communicate the news to her two old friends in
person.
Two distinct wedding presents-one from Miss
Varney and the other from Miss Leven-follOwed
her abroad and she was for the moment far too
happy and absorbed in her happiness TO notice
that Miss Varney's letter was dated from Lon
don, while Miss Levens gift bore the postmark
Of a town in the North Of England. When, later
on, she went pack to her Old home on visit TO
her mother she was told that the interesting
menage OF the little house on the D road
had been broken up and that the two ladies now
lived apart.
1t was not until long after, when she had
sought out and seen both Miss Leven and Miss
Varney separately, that she learned why, and
that I'VE did not quarrel, dear, but circum-
stances made it impossible that we should con-
tinue to live together any more
Among other "Samese habits Of the two-to
use Miss Varney's own fond, foolish phrase-was
this one: They carried each an absolutely dupli.
cate bunch of keys. These keys were OBJECTS "t
beauty chased and silvered, and depending from
silver chatelaines Of antique workmanship. on
the night that Lucy Gray left them the two
ladies sat while In front of the fire before re-
firing to their rooms for the night, and Miss
Varney's keys lay in her lap, catching the warm
rays OF the is ing freight on their many facets.
"How pretty gold light is on silver she said,
letting the keys play idly through her fingers.
THEY want rediIping. though, think
so do mine said the other, beginning 70
handle hers. Let US have them done. Shall |
send mine, will yOuT
1t doesn't matter which, Miss Narney SAID.
She began to ri up the keys and tell them
one By one The bookcase the linen press, the
storeroom. the bureau-I can't remember what
this key belongs to- she broke off suddenly
The face Of the woman sitting opposite 10 her
suddenly became blancLed and gray with fear
Alice" she said, helplessy. Il was Miss Var
ney's Christian name.
We'll, Alice said the other woman mpa-
tienuy staring at her Are you not well
NO. only an afraid that you have some
how or other got hold of M bunch Miss Leyen
said in a far away Kind Of voice.
There is key on my bunch-an extra
key
IAN extra key l don't understand you, or
your agitation. Kitty
no dear. 1t is the key Of a little desk that
I have"
i see" said the fiery Miss Varney. You
have a secret Kitty. Say no more"
she turned a proud profile 10 Miss Leven, ana
Put her hand on her heart
"p'aIcst Alice, don't please take IL so Sc
rious.y. II Is nothing-no secret merely the
key Of little old desk Of ny mothers where
Naturally. Papers that YOU DO not to
Lave me SEE" Miss Narn"y replied. haughtily.
There is no more To- be- said | should like the
subject dropped If you Do not mind" she was
quycruS all over
But can W. 20 on living together" asked the
ether gIyin- voice 10 her secret prcoccupation.
NO I don't see how We can" Miss Varney,
driven to bay. answered her Il am fool, 1
know, but II was not in the bond
"IH show You the papers, said Miss Leyen,
desperately.
oh no. no: please do not speak Of such a
hing Yes you have perfect right to have
secrets from me but | confess don't like it
II is 10 good Kitty. Look here, dear. don't
let us speak Of 1t any more. but 20 to bed, and
We will see how feel In the morning.
Heavens | never knew what a bad temper |
rad ill this moment" She put her hand to
her head.
could not rest. thinking that We had quarreled.
lou must
We have not quarreled II is only my tenn
per Good God. Kitty, WI you CO.
"No. Alice. ! would rather YOU would look AZ
the cont -nts of tn" desk. if You don't mind.
have night 10 demand II, after all YOU have
said What | wished So much 10 avoid cannot
b, worse than this. And now insist on your
looking at the contents OF the desk. | Will 90
and fetch IT."
Il have told you had SO much rather not"
All. but YOU spoke Of our parting That
was enough for me
She rose as ,he spoke. Her complexion was
now quite pale ana ashcn. while the sallow
Miss Narney's checks wore thu handsome flush
OF "A gypsy.
Miss Varncy cutched at her lost sclf-control
fut her handkerchief to her face. and able
to resume. almost in her own natural voice:
Il am an old fool Yes. bring the desk. Kitty
ana well have an end to this" She sat down.
laughing Historically.
Miss IeVen sooU returned. hearing with her
old rosewood desk that looked indeed as IL
it might have belonged to her mother.
Slowly and deliberately. with the solemn air
Of one accomplishing a long forgotten religious
rite she inserted the little silver key in the
worn kcyhole 1t was SO jagged that the key
Gid not go in easily and her face flushed and
her eyes filed 50 that tear betrayed her and
dropped on the polished surface OF the lid
She raised ii slowly. murmLring:
IL could have wished this had not happened;
but what must he must be-"