Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-09-24
CiCely's Ordeal.
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alive, full of glitter and noise. This
room was quiet, the silence only.
broken by occasional EXPLANATIONS.
There were two or three parties at
different tables. Looking around,
Cicely soon caught sight of Mrs.
Arundel. AS usual, she was playing
with an old lady, the countess of
Carlyon, and some others who were al
ways of her party. Cicely knew them
all we'll now, as they constantly
lunched at Mrs. Arundels house.
All were absorbed in their play,
too absorbed to notice anything els.
Only Mrs. Arundel glanced up with
feverish anxiety and beckoned Cice!y
to her. Cicely thought to herself as
she approached them that she tardly
believed if the house were burning. or
there was a revolution III the country,
or the plague had burst out in the
town, that they would look up from
their game.
The old countess's deformed little
figure was dressed in beautiful pompa-
dour silk and all glittering with jew
els. AS usual, on her chair, hung a
silken sacque to match her gown, AMI
into this, as before, went Mrs. Arun-
ders bundle of notes. Cicely looked at
the witchlike old lady with a certain
horror She began to realize what
this meant-that the countess was an
inveterate gambler, and a successful
one, too. Mrs. Arundel's face began
to look worn and haggard when, as
now, she had been doing battle with
the countess and had been we'll beaten
Cicely began to understand it all
and stood gazing at the unholy group,
Mortified yet fascinated. One of her
partners, Capt. Curtis, must have kept
watch on her movements; at all
events, he came now to look for her in
the cardroom, which looked as if DE
had done so. He came to ask her to
dance with him again.
Eyes, child, CO." said Mrs. Arundel
Il shall not be leaving yet"
So Cicely went back to the ballroom
and danced again and again, first with
Capt. Curtis and then with other part
rerS whom her hostess brought to her.
She did not know how tired she was,
or how far into the morning she had
danced, until Mrs. Arundel came to
her. Something in the feverish face
startled her, and all the gayety of the
scene vanished like dream out of tn :
Il ght. She felt herself to be standing
sad and weary amid Pickering lights
I'D faded flowers.
Come said Mrs. Arundel, and they
vent down to the carriage.
The daylight was strong when they
vent out to the door and the air was
radiant with the beauty of the dawn
i Eyen Cicely's young face looked pale
aid tired in this change of light; but
she was startled and shocked at the
| lcok on Mrs. Arundel's. A gray
| shadow seemed to rest on it, and new
lines appeared to have come in the
last few hours round eyes and mouth.
She leaned back with closed eyes. her
mouth drawn in till it was but a hard
line on her face.
And this is called plcasurei'
thought Cicely, sadly. She already
ielt weary of gayety, and would gladly
have put off her beautiful dress if size
might have crept to her old place in
her once peaceful home.
Once in bed, and the sunlight shut
out by dark blinds, Cicely slept the
sleep of tired youth. Perhaps she
hou G oil
was she, but a consciousness that
some one was standing by her side
reused her. She opened her eyes and
saw one of the housemaids holding a
little breakfast tray.
I've brought you some tea, miss, >
said the girl. DO have it. You'll
want it, for you must rouse up. 1t
seems a shame to wake you out of
such a beautiful sleep, but it can't be
helped"
What has happened?" exclaimed
! Cicely, broad awake in an instant.
She saw that the girl was pale AMI
trembling.
80, miss, it's dreadful-do drink
your tea! And then get up and dress,
for | shouldn't wonder if them mel
come here without waiting!"
What men? Do tell me, Bessie!
What are you talking about.
The mistress diamond necklace
has been stolen, and the police have
/ been sent for and are in the house
low. And there's no knowing who
they will suspect or what will be
done o, miss, what's to become of
us ALL" and the girl burst cut into
sobs. She was simply in abject terror.
But how can it have been stolen?"
demanded Cicely. Mrs. Arundel did
not wear it last night, so it could not
have been lost. 1t was locked up an
: the safe"
/ Somebody has taken it from the
safe, then, miss" said the girl.
! She stopped sobbing and looked
away. Her manner brought an awful
/ thought into Cicely's mind. She
turned white to the lips. After a mo
ment she spoke, quietly:
/ Go, now, Bessie, and will get