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Show "And do you think the woman would believe On the oath of a dying man? I think so. Dont you? I think she would Sbo nodded. like to, at any rate. 1 gave Evans my roleran promise. Why did he wait go long to set (Cop) right, 150 j, t Daily Ftory Tub. Co.) Russell had made no mistake. There like that In the was but one l whole world, lie had made sure of that before ho botiKht it for his wife--ten years before. Curious It was; a solid diamond heart, Ranked by a score of tiny ruby ones, held In idace by the finest thread of gold that was quite Invisible at tho distance of a few feet. she was wearltg It in a new place as a sole ornament to the hair that, gleaming pile of corn-golItus-seNannie made have alone, might Hut besides this, there were eyes of a matchless amber-gray- , a richly pale, perfect skin, and fine, scarlet Ups that were gravely sweet. Russell gradually let his eyes away from the jewel to a furtive contemplation of his wifes familiar features. No; seven years had made slow progress in ageing a woman of this Indestructible type. If anything,- she had grown more splendid in her thirties than she had ever been In the old girlhood days of their first love. She was conversing spiritedly with an ambassador, and Russell thanked Heaven that he had been allotted a seat at the other end of the table. She would hardly bestow more than a casunLglanee In that direction, and be short beard and eye.JXUcqi ujkrtl-hto protect him from recogniglasses tion. The dinner progressed tiresomely, and the running fire of small talk Russell found himself obliged to keep up with the lady on bis right, was about the hardest work the young broker had ever done In his life. Presently there was a lull, and he became conscious that all eyes were turned upon the man who sat directly opposite to him. Hurlbut was saying, it Yes, I am seems hero on a very absurd quest, considering the fact that I dont even know the fellows name or address or that of any of his friends. All I have to go on is that he lived on Fifth avenue seven years ago was with tall and dark and smooth-faced- , jt-e- To-nigh- t d ll beauty-famous- . - is matters straight? He never knew of the estrangement till a year ago. He went to In- skidd him from it, and that I must move Heaven and earth to locate him and make matti rs right between him and his wife, who. it appears, left him because of this thing. Russell shifted his ga re transiently to his wifes face. From pale, it had grown all at onco bloodless, and she was leaning forward with parted Ups and wide, tense eyes. A remark from her dinner partner recalled her to herself, and sent the crimson to her cheeks. She made some hurried response, laughing In a half hysterical little way to conceal her agitation. Then she looked hack at Hurlbut again; he had stopped talking, and Russell almost Jumped at the sound of his wifes clear, controlled tones. I)o tell us all about It, Mr. Hurl-hut- , she was sajlng, "a romance like that Is too rare not to he Interesting' "There Isnt really much more to tell, he answered, smiling, "thats where the trouble comes In. Evans was always more or less gloomy, almost melancholy except at times; then he was unpleasantly hilarious. One day. he got confidential and told me all about his trouble, but withholding the names of the parties. A month later, he was stricken with a fever, and they sent for mo at his request. In some way. he made it known to me that 1 must look up these people and make things right, now that he was going. Rnt he was too far gone to talk distinctly, and I never could get at the names. The story, In brief, however, is this: He was staying with some friends In town two weeks prior to his wedding. A young lady was there, at :ho found house, and Evans man-lik- e himself making love to her In spite of himself. One night, ho kissed her in In some way, it has the never been discovered how, the fact came to the ears of his fiancee. She wrote an immediate letter, dissolving their relationship. Kvans replied, asseverating his innocence. He could not do otherwise. Rut the girl refused to budge. He confided in his friend, who, like a brave Don Quixote, took the affair into his own hands and went to see the girl, and, in order to prove to her that Evans was innocent, himself took the blame of the whole thing, and swore that he it was who kissed the young Lldy in the rose garden. And in turn, the young lady who was kissed, betrayed the man to his wife, and the wife took French leave. But did the girl the one who was kissed did she uphold the husband in his deception, to protect the other girls fiancee? Just exactly. Then I should have thought that the husband would have explained everything to his wife! to pleadings He tried were vain. I dont much blame her, do you? Well I hardly know'. A mans reply. Were there any thirties. the prettiest wife in New York, and spent his work hours on Wall street. Russell started. Luckily no one was looking at him, and the ridiculous red that poured over his face went unnoticed. After all, how many thousand people there were to whom this (description might apply as well as to himself! He sincerely hoped he was mot growing egotistic. "The man was dying, you see it was out in India and all I could get out of him was that this friend of his had brought a lot of trouble and seeming disgrace upon himself in trying to After that, there was a silence, and soon the hum of general conversation was returned. Half an hour later, on emerging from tho smoking room, Russell found himself being presented to his wife. At the sound of his name, she looked up, startled, and the color faded swiftly from her face and lips. The name came InvoFrancis! a In luntarily, sharp whisper. The hostess, who Introduced them, had disappeared, and Russell drew his wifes arm within his and led her out Into the cool, shadowy moonlight. Nannie. he said, suddenly getting both her hands In his, "do you think that that woman would still like to believe that her husband had told her the truth. She im t his gaze for an Instant, Impassioned, pleading, compelling, and her ejes went down. I am afraid she has never ceased to believe, dear, since It was too I dont think so. That was lucky. So many women have to endure a continual flagellation of their souls if there are children. But the man think of him! He loved his wife; he must have suffered terribly when she turned on him. If he loved her so much, why did he place her in such a position? "He thought, he could explain; thought that she would trust and believe him. And he loved his friend, and couldnt bear to see his life wrecked all on account of a little nonsense. Mrs. Russell laughed then, the ten- sion had to give way somewhere, and when she looked up again, her eyes were calm, writh a new light in them. Quite a little drama, she remarked, and so it has fallen to your lot to arrange a climax? In a way, it has. said the plalaj will have hard, czar citizen, that the billlon-dolla- r Icdezn-- t work to raise that have an Idea city Most idiotic roan I ever saw reHo knows Itl sponded Mr. Tacker. has to he raid, bo Instead of getting aronnd and wondering where he's going to get money, why doesnt he get Detroit busy and organize a trust? Tribune. His Privilege. Creditor What do you mean by sending roe this draft? It has been protested you have no account. Foot My dear sir, I have a big account, hut Creditor Its purely Imaginary. Well, of all the what on earth Poet Be calm. Is It not a joeta privilege to draw on his imagination? He Was a Stockholder. Its said Newll a very nice place, wed, "hot the railroad fare Is very high. But surely, replied his bride, the railroad company will fix that when they know. When they know- - what? That you're the gentleman vrho bought that share of their stock. Do You Blame Him? late. He stooped and took her In his arms, but for only a moment. Some one was coming, and they moved off down the veranda. At the end of it they came face to face with Hurlbut. Russell held out his hand. First chance Ive had to speak to you. old man. I was very much interested in that little story of yours tonight. Meet me at the club at one, and I may be able to give you Smith cheats at cards. Jones Why, whats the matter? Brown Why, I detected him with a card I had thrown under the table. Chicago Journal. Brown rose-garde- children? She had grown more splendid in her dia, you see. Mr. Packer's View. I Undecided. Tess Jack Ilansum was very near proposing last night. I could see that by the way he fidgeted about the par- lor. Jess he had? What would you have done if Tess Well, I was undecided wheth er to turn him down or the light. An am afraid she has never ceaseu to a clue. He turned to his wife with a little half-laugand if youll condescend to dine with us at seven, there may be even a chance of meeting some of the dramatis personae. 1 Where Marston Law Was Good. In Exeter, Mass., acquaintances ot Gen. Gilman Marston say nothing ever amused him more than the following: A favorite niece living in the adjoining town of Brentwood bought a horse which, not coming up to requirements, she promptly took back and left in the sellers barn. Next day she found the horse back in her barn. Twice more she left it and twice was it returned Unbelievable Accusation. We're going to have hard work to find a jury, remarked the district attorney, that will convict this fellow. Are the natives of this region so corrupt as all that? You dont understand. Hes accused of having swindled the Standard Oil company. As to Miss Methusaleh. Methusaleh Just a word with you,-ypun- npan. His Daughters sir? Suitor What is it. Methusaleh You have been calling, on my daughter 100 years now, and ij want to know if you mean business. Puck. They Touch Him. After all, said the talkative man, politeness never costs anything. Think so, eh? replied Markley. I notice when Im rash enough to be polite to some people it encourages them to make it cost me a fiver or Then she called on the general. He told her to notify the owner that if there was any more trespassing in Deeper. Yet. Tom I suppose hes deep in loves her barn he would be fined $10, and to tell him that Gilman Marston said young dream. Dick No, hes past that stage. Hes so, and not bring that d d horse back with insomnia now. troubled again. The niece promptly tucked up on Conditional. her barn the following notice: "Any Getting mixed up with the law is trespassing in this barn by man or beast will be fined $10 by Gilman bad business, isnt it? "Yes, it is if you lose! The horse did not come Marston. Detroit;: Free Press. back |