The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-02-28

absurd. Yet Lalage almost thought that
once or twice she encountered a critica
look in his eyes which was strange tC
her. 1t was Imagination. Of course, fol
she could always manage Jim-Jim
whose loyal blindness was proverbial
With an effort she forced the converse
tion during soup, fish and entree, which
were in turn marshaled by Mallory
Even the complacency which had been
left from her interview with Captain
Dalrympie-the aftermath of fattered
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 a 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 it; then he said
sternly:
"Laage, as | came in tonight the post
man gave me registered letter. As it
is directed to you in Captain Dalrymple' S
writing | felt it would be better for me to
see you open il 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
jet 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 becomngly shaded
for her to dread its betrayal.
You silly Jim she said. with a nerv-
Gus laugh. Il believe you're jealous "
Her mind was weaving impossible
schemes of escape. The parcel was a
small, square box, well wrapped in brown
paper. with seals SO carefully and admi-
rably formed that the Dalrymple crest
was impossible 10 mistake. With reluc-
taut fingers she broke the seals The
brown paper gave place to wooden box.
which. upon being opened, revealed a
sma. velvet case holding q half hoop dia-
moui ring Thank God. no letter was
there. Size gave q sob of thankfulneSs.
The rest was now easy. Light flashed
upon Der as upon the diamonds.
How absolutely delightful Of Sophie"
she said. calmly putting the ring upon
heg finger.
''Qf Sophie| said Jim incredulously.
'Of course with a hySterical laugh.
sophie Dalrymple has often given me
birthday presents. Weren't we school
fellovs:"
But surely not such presents as this?'
How Ike q man to appraise the val
ne"
ro w, --,;r,. -, oc,ar+ 80 II ,,,us+
have cost about 600"
Certainly" She said haughtily, now
secure in her position.
''WiI you write and thank herr"
''Of course" rapturously.
at would please me if you wrote at
once. l 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 a fool he had been 10 doubt her.
Don't 60 ont, dear boy: Mallory can
post this she said. Il will give it to
him" going To the door.
NO, LalaCe. l would rather take it
myself. shall feel happier in knowing
it has gone he said, taking the letter.
Lalage was a gambler, as are most wo-
men. The deed was done. The IF I
perish, perish" feeling was not strong
enough TO disturb her further. When
Jim returned from the errand TO the pill
lar box, he found his wife in an entrsnc-
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.
What a magnificent actress the stage
has lost in you" he said bitterly. This
should interest you" Creading from the
paper:
I've 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 10 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 it 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 he relied upon to do the
right thing, only sometimes at the wrong
time "-EXchange.