The Portland daily press., 1900-01-18

yawn Of prospective boredom-there was
nothing before her but dull tete-a-tete
dinner with Jim, who would probably
tell her little trivialities about the law
courts and with pride would retail his
dull remarks-remarks which II required
an expert in legal wit to comprehend
were intended to be an amusing rspartee.
But Jim was distrait tonight His
usual bright happiness was clouded. He
had no stories to recount. and he seemed
generally parsimonious Of ideas. IL was
absurd. Yet Lalage almost thought that
once or twice she encountered critical
look in his eyes which was strange to
her. 1t was imagination, Of course, for
she could always manage Jim-Jim,
whose loyal blindness was proyerbial.
With an effort she forced the CONVERSE
ton during soup, fish and entree. which
were In turn marshaled by Mallory.
Even the compiacency which had been
left from her interview with Captain
Dalrymple-the aftermath Of fiattered
vanity-had deserted her; courtesy, the
fruit of cultivation from the seed policy,
alone supplying the place of the usual
dinner RESPONSIVENESS. A feeling of ten
sion was in the air. the atmospheric
heaviness which precedes thunder
storm. When the servants had left the
room and coffee WAS upon the table, Jim
passed Lalage cigarette In silence.
He watched her light 1t; then he said
sternly:
"Lalage, as l came In tonight the post
man gave me a registered letter. As 1t
is directed 10 you In Captain Dalrymple's
writing | felt II would be better for me to
see you open II now"
"a thousand thanks, Jim, for your con-
sideration," she said In sarcasm. Then,
with that self love which sharpens peo-
pies wits and induces spurious clever
ness. she calmly put out her hand for the
package. She almost overreached her OBJ
ject by showing too great an indifference,
but Jim couldn't see the terror of expo
sure which clutched at her heart and
drove the color from her face, and the
electric light was too becomingly shaded
for her to dread its betrayal.
"You silly Jim,' she said, with nerv-
GUS laugh. Il believe you're jealous"
Her mind was weaving impossible
schemes OF escape. The parcel was
small, square box, well wrapped in brown
paper, with seals so carefully and admi-
rably formed that the Dalrymple crest
was impossible TO mistake. With reluc-
tant fingers she broke the seals. The
brown paper gave place to n wooden box,
which, upon being opened. revealed u
small velvet case holding half hoop dia-
mond ring. Thank God, no letter was
there She gave n sob of thankfulness
The rest was now easy. Light flashed
upon her as upon the diamonds.
How absolutely delightful OF Sophie"
she said, calmly putting the ring upon
her finger.
"Of Sophie?" said Jim incredulously.
"Of course" with a hysterical laugh.
"Sophie Dalrymple has often given me
birthday presents. Weren't we school
fellows"
"But surely not such presents MS this y
"How like a man to appraise the val
uer
"Are you going to accept it? 1t must
have cost about 200"
Certainly" she said haughtily, now
secure In her position.
"Will you write and thank her"
"Of courser' rapturously.
at would pleese me IL you wrote at
once. / will get you pen and Ink here,
said Jim, still anxiously watching his
wife. How pretty she was as she sat and
wrote! How pleased with the new toy!
What fool he had been to doubt her!
Don't 20 out, dear boy; Mallory can
post this" she said. Il will give it to
him." going to the door.
mo, Lalage, would rather take 1t
myself. l shall feel happier in knowing
1t has gone" he said. taking the letter.
Lalage was a gambler, as are most wo-
men. The deed was done. The IF
perish, PERISH" feeling was not strong
enough to disturb her further. When
- n h. nd 70 hA nil l.
lar box, he found his wife in an entranc-
ing mood, and Nine. Cerise by the next
mornings post received very fair sized
check, with an order for the cream tea
gown
The sun was shining into the breakfast
room. Jim was immersed in The Morn
ing Post, while Lalage was deep in her
letters.
She glanced at him. Surely he was
very i'll or the glare was curiously unbe-
coming, for he appeared positively ashen.
He looked up. His eyes met those of his
wife.
WHIST n magnificent actress the stage
has lost in you" he said bitterly. This
should interest you" (rcading from the
paper:
1--WE regret to announce the death
through an accident in the hunting field
which occurred yesterday morning Of the
Hon. Mrs. Dalrymple.'
$50 Sophie died yesterday morning,
yet posted you ring In the afternoon.
There's nothing you need trouble to say"
Lalage watched him leave the room.
Some time after she heard the front door
slam. Then she went unsteadily to the
place he had vacated. She picked up the
newspaper AS she did SO the sunshine
sent across II a shower of living sparks
from the ring upon her finger. What
was It Jim had said about Sophie? That
she was dead?
She laughed Historically. Sophie
could always be relied upon to do the
right thing, only sometimes at the wrong
time.
GauRh Groomed Like a Race H0raA.