The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-23


and the busy man went busting about.
putting for breath.
Accordingly. Bessie went to the
Winthrop mansion, her wayWard mind
going astray. after the very elegant
Stanhope who was indeed a Don Juan
and whose ring Of gold. with a milky
ehangeable opal. for a setting, was
upon her finger. as a troth plight.
Stanhope had made ardent owe to
Bessie-causing her TO think that she
alone, was the one woman in all the
world for him-and she was happy in
her blissful ignorance.
Arush Of pride and self-congratula-
ton swept over her, this was the high
ideal she had longed for, dreamed Of
all her life. Visions Of carriages and
horses, passed before her mind, for
stanhope was the soul Of honor; she
believed, he was deeply in love with
her.
My sweet wildwood violet, have
wanted you ever since I first saw your
face behind Old Drexers window, the
fairest flower in the whole collection.
he had said, and it was nice to listen
to all the sweet nothings he could say.
When she arrived at her destination,
her thoughts were SO much upon Stan
hope, that her round cheeks were like
tpe reflection of the azaleas at her
belt
The Winthrop mansion was a big
magnificent palace-like the castle
with golden towers, in the fairy tale.
Bessie thoughts she went up the
marble steps to the Imposing entrance.
Her ring was answered by a pomp-
Gus footman. who ushered her through
vestibule, paved with black and yell
low tiles, then along a hall into a
ooudoir, where she was shown into the
august present Of Mrs. Winthrop. She
looked up at the announcement, and
said:
All, yes, you are from the florists.
Well, ! know nothing whatever about
the matter, except I want the rooms
done in some novel manner-some-
thing quite out Of the ordinary-and
be artistic. presume / can rely upon
your taste-as We have heard what ex-
qnisite taste you display in decora-
tions; this led us to try Drexel. Ger
aldine-that is my daughter--has been
hearing much Of your praises, so she
set her heart upon having you do the
work. It is for an Easter dinner party,
an occasion Of some rejoicing, have a
great plenty Of white carnations, and
tea roses in the faintest shades. It is
2 very informal affair, only near rela-
tiyes being invited a dinner given in
honor Of the betrOthal Of my .daugh-
ter It is out of the ordinary know
--at this season Of the year, but the
young man, would have il so, ana OF
course, / consented. Mr. Stanhope is
a very ardent lover, he wishes the en-
gagement to be made public, at once
Now have given you an idea, /
leave the rest TO you but I ask you
70 have choice ferns and trailing ar
0utus, or ground laurel. near the pier
glass. Spare no expense, and use your
taste, it will be to your advantage"
said the fair delicate creature, toying
with her fan.
Bessie only nodded assent to all the /
orders, for after Stanhope's name was
her head was in a whiri.
She went out. as she passed along the
hall, she went In the wrong direction,
and came to a door. partly aiar She
glanced Ia, 1t was a dainty nest in
blue and gold. and a yellow haired
woman was seated there, and there
beside her stood Percy Stanhope.
A poisoned arrow shot through Bes-
iie's heart. and lay burning there like
! hot ember
But the wound after all was only
he sting Of wounded pride, a sudden
weakening to the deceit OF man.
.'"l see the way now, he has been
lmusing himself with me-" she mutt
cred, as she sped back again towards
he front door AS she came again
% Mrs. Winthrop's room, that lady
allied to her. and began long string
Il orders but Bessie kept on, hearing
he names Of white and pink rose buds.
or the table. and lilies Of the valley
n the urns, but she needed them not,
md in her mad rush she came to the
'estibule door, and ran spank against
he august footman, who in surprise
sasped out:
Are you clean crazy. Miss?"
II want out she said. "Out Of this
.wful dungeon"
She is gone crazy. sure as fate"
lie said, locking after her. as she
ushed down the walk.
As she neared Drexers. her eyes
we're filled with tears Of seif-mortifca-
ion, and a sudden home sickness SELF
d hold Of her. a desire to spend East
r Sunday, at her Aunt Marys. at her
I'D home farm.
The past came before her mind. the
imple life, the quiet Sundays in the
title ivy draped church. and Jack
Yard, her old. old friend. who had SO
pposed her going to the city to work.
As she entered the store Drexef came
ustling forward. asking if she had