Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1899-04-06
Loves Decision.


"Fascinated?" said Mrs. Pendexter,
laughing lightly.
20, Dellait the young girl cried
breathlessly, without raising her eyes
at her friends approach, what is it?''
"A ball of japanese ock crystal, my
dear; very beautiful, $ it not? And
very costly! Forum .tely poor, dear
Mr.. Pendexter could afford to ride
his expensive hobbies. But what 40
you see in it? You seem enchanted
there-as If by magicl"
II see my own face in it,-mine,
only beautiful, and another face
distinctly-yet one which | have never
seen before! And years, Dells, bend
ing over my shoulder there-do
you see? that other face again-com-
ing between us! Della, don't you see
1t? What can it meant"
Imagination; and Mrs. Pendexter
laughed again, and putting her arm
about her friends waist she drew her
away from the ebony table whereon
rested the crystal ball on its quaint
bronze stand.
what will you be seeing next,
dear child?" she said indulgently.
but | cannot wonder at 1t. The hum
OF the city, the lights, the glitter,
have gone to your head like wine!
When | have had you with me for
month or two, you will not be imagin-
ing strange faces--or anything else
unusual-in my poor dear husbands
collection OF bric-a-brac"
While Mrs. Pendexter was speaking
\seither had noticed the ringing of
e bell, and now when visitor was
bounced both turned toward the
fway with a little movement of
prise.
hrs. PendeXter recovered herself in
stantly and greeted the newcomer
with charming grace, though it might
have been noticed that delicate
flush suffused her usually pallid face.
But as she turned to introduce Per-
cival Haven to her friend, the ex-
preston of the girl amazed her.
Florence had suddenly grown pale,
Z. her slender fingers were interlacing
nervously, and Mrs. Pendexter's quick
ear caught the rapidly muttered
words. ''rhat face-his face-in the
crystal ball!"
Della Sherman, when very young,
had married rich old Samuel Pendex-
ter, her fathers lifelong friend.
And contrary to the wiseacre's predlc-
lions she had been a happy. devoted
wife. She was her husbands idol or
las she was fond of telling him
his most precious, and most expen-
sive BIZ of brie-a-brac," and at his
death she had mourned him sincerely.
For two years she had lived in all
a most complete seclusion. Then one
= morning she awoke to the fact that
she was still young, possessed of a
fortune. aud more than passably good
Looking, and she resolved to re-enter
the world and see II life had not yet
some brightness in store for her.
she was casting about in her mind
for some suitable companion to share
y her anticipated pleasures when she
received letter from her young
friend, Florence Fielding. who lived in
Rverdell, the home OF Della's child
hood
~, Acting en- the impulse of the mo-
mem, she wrote and asked Florence TO
come to her for the autumn and win
ter And when she arrived soon after
ADella hurried her so about from
Iressmaker TO milliner and boot
maker that Florence was in a state OF
komic. vet half-delighted bewilder-
xuent, until Della was pleased to pro-
noupce her friend "presentable" at
last!
Tlley made n charming picture
standing there together, so Percival
Haven thought, as he looked with I'M
concealed admiration from Della Pen
dexter, tall and stately in her rich
livery silk gown, TO the smaller
Ser figure of her younger friend,
sazed up at him with such a
ed look in her beautiful express
'es.
was the first of series of re-
u given by Della, ostensibly to
k,her friend And though
xter had been In retire
5 long. society remembered
hg hospitality of old and
pay her homage once
were soon filled to over
Florence fprgot her I'M
first sensation at the
first strange face in the
Ieity OF NJ entrance into