The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-03
The Cameo Bracelet.

| Marion Demoine, looking with some scorn,
mingled with sort of indulgent admira-
ton. at her handsome brother, who had
| thrown himself, with every appearance
| of ennui, into a chair in her boudoir
And your advice is''-he said languid-
| ly, raising his eyes TO her face.
ITO marry that rich Jenny yalken-
| burgh. She's half in love with you now"
| Demoine groaned aloud and answered
| cynically:
And I'm wholly in love with her bank
| book. On, what bliss to have my debts
| paid and TO be able to look everybody in
| the face
do it tonight then" said Marion, with
| animation.
You don't want me to propose to
| girl at masquerade, do you, and when
don't even know her disguise?''
Marion unused a moment, her fine eyes
| bent to the floor. 1t was no use evading
| the question-her brother must marry
| money, and here was the chance. If she
could only get him to promise.
IF l give you a hint, will you give
me your promise TO do the right thing
tonight" she asked, with suppressed
| eagerness.
Jack Demoine hesitated Into his heart
there came a sudden, sweet throb-the
memory Of a face and voice that he
loved; but, as he had told. himself a hun
dred times, he could not afford to mar
ry'' Margaret Sears, and 1t was his bust
ness to forget her. Still he found the
forgetting very difficult work, though he
had succeeded in making donkey of
himself as he phrased it, in attentions
ito the heiress, Miss Valkenburgh. There
was a sting in the thought of Margaret
alsO-a sting which his sister had taken
care he should feel. 1t was the rumor
that she favored some one eise-that
young Garrett, the millionaire, doubtless
would take the girl, for of course he had
but to reach out his hand. He could
please himself, and marry woman with
out penny If he chose, and who would
refuse him?
1t was that thought that made Jack
Demoine's face suddenly harden as he
replied:
Yes, 1 promise you TIL ask her to-
night to be my wife. Now for the direc-
tions-be brief"
Marion knew her brothers temper too
well to trile with him now. He had pass
ed his word, and she could trust him.
You know the bracelet of cameo In
taglios that Miss Valkenburgh showed
US the otner day? She will wear that
on her left arm"
When the time came Demoine threw a
cloak over his dress, and with his Imask
in his hand he stepped into the carriage.
He was late. As ne entered the brilliant
drawingroom his eyes began their search
for the wearer of the cameo bracelet. He
was going to have his task over directly
He had come to offer his hand to Jenny
Valkenburgh, and the quicker it was
done the better.
He did not look st ladies' dresses; he
looked at their arms, and felt a sense Of
relief at each one he saw which did not
bear what to him was the fatal bracelet
He felt very mean, and he despised him
self. He was going to ask a woman whom
he did not love TO marry him-he wanted
her money
A waltz sounded from the band. Gilt
ter1ng couples gllded off down the room.
At that moment, as Demoine was lean |
ing against the wall, modify Watching
the forms that went past him, there came /
a graceful figure, clad u some diapha- |
nous blue robe. He could only tell that !
it was surprisingly lovely, and he did not /
know what character was to be repre- !
scented.
Simultaneously with the feeling of ad-
miration that stirred in his heart. he saw
on one fair, plump arm the coil of the
cameo intaglios. There was no mistak-
for one to forget them
He did not pause. Softly he made his
way after the blue mask, and the next
moment he had whispered to her:
Make this music still sweeter by waltz
ing with me?"
The mask paused in seeming resolu-
ton. Had she recognized him? He had
not tried in the least to disguise his
voice. He rather wished to be known by
her, but her tones were evidently dis
guised as she replied and placed her hand
IN his proffered arm.
In spite of his preoccupation Demoine
enjoyed that waltz, and owing to the
power that delicately appeals to the |
senses, the young man found himself
linking that 50 graceful woman could
lot be wholly a bore as a wife.
Now for it!' he said to himself. as he
swung her out Of the group, and bent
Town his tall head as he asked her to
90 out of the crowd-it was so warm.
He ccughed and stammered something
naudible. She begged his pardon-what
lid he say?
He plunged in.
Z don't know how to do the. thing
gracefully, Miss Valkenburgh. but I'll
make my words plain. Twill you be my
Wife,"
There. it was done, And Jack Demoine
'reathed a long sigh and waited.
He fancied she was agitated It was
| moment before she spoke, and Jack
fastened to say:
1T is not possible that you don't know
neg"
II know you she answered. and the
-oice. no longer disguised, was ike a
znife through Jack Demoines heart
He tore off his mask and revealed a
ie2thly white face. Now the woman was /
much more composed than he was She
emoved the bleu silk covering from her
'wp face. Yes, il was Margaret Sears
who looked at him. Her face also was
.olorless, but It showed no emotion other
wise.
You should not ask such vital cues
ions at a masquerade. Mr. Demoine, or /
gu should first take the precauticn 70 (
make sure Of the identity of the lady"
How calm her voice was,
As for Demoine. his blood was on FIRE |
lie uttered an inarticulate ejaculation. /
lie caught the girls hands in his own
nd held them to his heart; he poured
orth torrent Of passionate words: he
allied himself a dot, Jsckass, to have
% degraded himself as 10 offer his hand I
where he could not give his heart
He could never remember how ne ex-
lained matters, but Il was certain thai
&c was thankful for the mistake, and that
e loved her and no other.
Fifteen minutes later. when the two
avefuiIy masked again. re-entered the
q woman in gorgeous sixteenth
entCry dress swept By them. on the arm
( q Louis NIL nusketeer.
THAT Is my Cousin Jenny" whispered / !
iargaret- How curious that. al the (