Charlevoix county herald., 1913-11-01

will be told by you to a living
soul. Are you prepared to promise
that?"
On receiving an affirmative an
swer she laid before her pledge
in which the signer solemnly
swore by the most binding and
terrible oath that she would never
divulge the secret of this pledge
that in all things pertaining to it
she would yield to Madam's orders,
and finally that she would accept
the first offer Of marriage made
her.
"This last clause" said Madam,
in explanation, "is necessary for
my protection, since / pledge my
self to have you married within a
year or forfeit my fee"
Placing writing materials before
her she babe her sign and after a
moments hesitation she signed the
name of Mildred Hazleton.
"There remains but one thing
more" said Madam, "the badge of
your membership"
So saying, she brought from a
cabinet a beautiful inlaid box
which she unlocked with tiny
silver key hanging from her cha
telaine, and drew forth a yellow
silk garter.
at is we'll known" said she, "that
a yellow garter worn day and
night for q year insures marriage
to the wearer in that time | have,
therefore. taken it as our badge"
She then. and still with her SOL
emn manner. dropped on her knees
before the young lady and with
her own hands fastened on the
garter.
"And now" said Madam on their
return to the other room which
seemed to bring return of her
former manner, 81 believe that is
all. | shall, of course, have to see
YOU frequently, and / may find II
best to take you away. In that case
I should, of course, be your guest.
But we will talk of that when next
we meet. You will find the car
riage waiting. Goodnight
The next day Sydney sent a mes
senger to redeem her ring and a
note to Madam saving she would
not be able to see her for a week,
as she was going on a visit for
that length oil TIME.
Julia Armstrong was an old
friend of Sydney's and though
deemed peculiar by the majority of
people, by her she was dearly
loved. They had not met for some
time, and therefore had much TO
talk of, but Sydney soon noticed
a change in her friend. She was at
times unnaturally gay and then
silent and moody, but she made no
comment, thinking that in good
time her friend would give her
her confidence. The two girls
rComed together and that night as
they were preparing for bed Sgd
ney made the discovery that Julia
was wearing yellow garter.
After the first shock she did not
feel surprised, for under her plain
and unattractive exterior was hid
an extremely sentimental and ro-
mantle nature. All the next day
Julia seemed feverish and unhap-
Ply, and at night complained OF
headache and announced her inten-
ton of rooming alone. To this
Sydney made no objections for
since the nights mail had brought
her business letters of some
what disturbing nature she pre-
ferred being alone.
She sat up writing until late
hour, and even after retiring was
not able at once to go to sleep.
She had been lying there about
half an hour when there came
gentle, a very gentle tap at her
door, and the next moment voice
spoke her name softly. Not being
in a humor to be disturbed she
made no reply, but if she thought
thus to be rid of her midnight WIS.,
itor she failed, for the door was
carefully opened and someone
glided to the side of her bed. She
instinctively closed her eyes and
the intruder stood for moment
looking down on her, then voice,
Julia's voice, whispered Goodbye,
Sydney and tear dropped on
her face
In a moment she was alone a
gain. She sat up in bed, all
thoughts of sleep vanished by this !
strange behavior. Goodbye, Sgd
ney"-what had she meant by those
strange words and why did she |
seek her at midnight to bid her
farewell?
Gould il be that the unhappy girl
contemplated suicide? Was this |
the meaning of her evident mental
trouble her farewell visit tonight?
AZ the thought, she sprang cut of
bed and slipping on her DRESSING
gown, hurried down the hall to
the room her friend was occuvy .ng.
At the door she paused il was
unlatchco and putting her hand n
gainst 1t she gently pushed it a
Jar. Through the opening thus
made she could look into the room
and there with her back toward