New-York tribune., 1910-12-18
BY MARGARET HEATHER

Going to the window she peered through the heavy lace
curtains The glare from the hall chandelier lighted UP
the coat of arms emblazoned the splendid coupe.
The Count gallanty assisted Lady Gainslegh to enter
and then followed, the gong sounded twice, and the
stately eq11ipage glided noiseessly down the
Gwenith returned to her nest among the cushions on
the couch Dear me- she said aloud, spanking a
puffy blue pillow preparatory to placing 1t under her
head. Dear me- Aunty has almost told me the secret
OF her life"
THE bells in Westminster Abbey chimed the hour of
one past midnight, as Lady Ganseigh dismissed
her maid and sat the freight envelOped negllgee
of silk and lace her splendid hair falling in two heavy
brads below her waist and the white hands lying idly
IN her lap.
How strange she rnused, that should have been
thinking of him all day-and then to have that child
mention him tonight Sly little elf; She seemed to
read my very thoughts Heaven guide her footsteps IN
a happier path than mine.
The door opened and Gwenith entered, clad Just as
she had appeared early in the evening.
WHY Cwenie dear! Why YOU not in bed? Are YOU
i'll? cried Lady GainSleigh starting to her feet IN alarm
No, you dear sweet aunty am not Ill; never telt
better in all my life replied the girl playtuly forcing
her aunt back into the low chair from which she had
risen and seating herself stool at her feet Not the
least bit i'll: but lust could go to bed until had
asked YOU little mite of question. want to know
and want YOU TO tell me- 1t wasn't that hOrr1d old
Frenchman about whom Lord Gainsleigh used to tease
YOU was it? and she looked up coaxngy into the elder
WOInan'S eyes.
Lady Gainsleigh caught her breath and then laughed
Mercy, child! No! He was beyond endurance DIS
liked him and his attentions very much hat was the
But the other the real one3 persisted the girl rs
the story very romantic Aunty dear? Is it long to tell:
Not very long Gwenth Love stories real ones,
never are she replied looking past the girl into the blue
blazes of the fire And the romance II there was any
is dead. Heartaches and romance never flourish to-
gether It begins much like other such affairs
A T the age of nineteen very much in love with
"A Young gentleman in Boston, who was handsome
cultured and heir to a vast fortune. was always am
bilious, and the prospect OF 50 much wealth pleased me
not a little. As engagement was assured
and before II had been publicly announced the fatntr
of nv prospective husband presented me with peculiar
bracelet of Jade The trnket, he informed me- was an
heirloom secured by his father while sOJOurnng India
1t endowed with certain Eastern magic IN that 1t
was capable of changing color
Bv virtue of my fathers will, he said should its
color change within twelve hours after the bracelet has
been placed upon your your future husband will be
dsnherted. The fortune IS his only on condition that
the arrnet retain its original color.
put the thing ont peculiar Snakellke green
and laughed at such folly. My lover had laughed too
and said that the charms of fifty bracelets and all the
gold of Gocond could not Outbaance the weight OF our
love Ali How confident he wasi
But of course It did not change: exclaimed CIWen-
it'll incredulOuSly.
Lady Gainslegh had risen and walked slowly to
the fireplace where she stood looking down with hands
ciaSDed behind her. Yes she said almost IN Whls-
per glancing up half urvely, 1t did Before the lapse
of SIX hours that bracelet beautiful rose pink!
The girls startled exclamation was followed by long
silence But surely that did alter your love! she
said quickly, rising and going to her aunt side You
would have married him. woudn you, even Ii he was
poor"
ing ewes "No" she replied voice scarcely audible
That was my besetting sim could never endure
poverty. Then Lord Gainsleigh came and Iad both
fortune and title At my feet.
But the other, Aunty dear! pleaded the girl
What became Of him;
I'VE parted, Gwenith and we have never met since
suppose he has lived his life and have tired to i've