The Ladies’ Magazine.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2080, 4 January 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Ladies’ Magazine.

water. She stepped hack, surveying her arrangement with approval. She was indeed pleased with this novel tribute of Rodney’s, and seeretly curious to know bow such a whim had entered his mind. Never before bad bo showed a symptom of deviating from the beaten track custom had laid down, but the carnations proved that ho could he original, and to Frances that was the most interesting characteristic a person could show. Sho awaited him that evening with an interest which, for the first time since she had met him, was in him personally, ami not in what she could do with hint. lie came late, and she was immediately struck with his flurried manner. lie met her. and made a motion a- if he would take her in his arms, lnit then his impulse seemed to veer and lie' only shook hands constrainedly. She noticed that while she was speaking his eyes strayed about the room and it occurred to her that lie might fear that his tribute bad not pleased her. Mischievously, she bade him pick out his oll'ering trout the others, and as he looked about, embarrassed by the profusion, she led liitn to the artificial cluster. "Yell see they have the place of honor." she said. He gave her a quick glance, surprised and dubious. "You like them?” "Oli. better (ban all the rest ! They are delight ltd.” "All" lie said, with a tailing inflect ion as if lie were disappointed. "Didn't you think 1 would like them?"

"I didn't know. I'm glad you are pleased." Rut Ins words left- her with the impression that he was not. She did not pursue the subject, since it seemed to annoy him, and was not used to having men turn difficult on her hands. Usually they were too easy to manage, and certainly she had had no idea that Rodney had moods. Night before last lie bad been such ail ardent lover, and to-night he did not even try to kiss the tip of her finger. She had been deeding the thought of having to be made love to. but now that he was refraining she found herself more piqued than pleased. Her instinct prompted her to decoy him out of hi.- sullen mood, anil she led him into the more sober atmosphere of the library, and tried one subject and then another to make him forget his uneasy irritation. She as'ked him if the "slag" last night had been amusing, and lie replied that lie had not gone. He intended to join her at the opera, but something had prevented. In desperation she spoke of books and called his attention to two volumes lying on the table, a favorite edition of tiers. lie remarked that there should be three volumes —one was missing.

"Yes,” she said with a sigh, “it was loaned and lost, and I regret it particularly.” “That’s a pity,” he said, idly turning the leaves. Then, as if an idea suddenly came to him, lie looked at her keenly. What piercing dark eyelie had. How could she ever have thought him dull. He looked carefully at the book again, gave a little nod, as if he had setleil something within himself, and rose. He was going, and it seemed to her that he- was "going too soon. He shook hands with her amlask ed if he might drop in to ten the following afternoon.

After lie had gone Frances went upstairs much perplexed. What in the world ailed the man? Perhaps he wasn’t so much in love as she supposed, but he was a stie’h a great, stubborn tiling, it was imjiossible to suppose that even she could have made him propose if lie hadn’t wanted her. “Falling in love’” How silly! Yet it was suitable enough, people in love were aljvays silty! Hut she had not found Rodney silly—certainly not to-night, when she had not been able to make him out.

l/ite the following afternoon she returned from a luncheon, mindful of her appointment with Rodney, to find a package awaiting her. It was a book, and as the wrapping fell away she recognised the. third volume of that broken edition slie had sliuwu him the evening before. His card dropped out of the leaves. “How thoughtful lie is,” she murmured. “1 scarcely mentioned it. hut lie remembered, and I did so want the edition complete.” She turned over a few pages and frowned. Then she hastily fluttered over all the leaves of the book, amazement and incredulity growing in her face. The leaves of the book were all blank. From the title page to the last cover not one word was printed upon them. How—what in the world ” A soft knock at the door diverted her silentiou. The maid announced Mr. Stone in the reeeption-room.

With a little more dignity than usual, the volume in her hand. Frances swept in upon him. She met him graciously. “It was delightful of \).m to send me the third volume of my ‘Clarisn,’ ” she said, when they were seated; “but, you know, there lias been such an odd mistake. Instead ol the hook the publishers must have sent me a printer's dummy hv mistake.”

Hi.s face did not express the surprise that she had expected as he took th(> book and skimmed over its blank pages. ‘Well, isn’t that all right?” he inquired. She gazed at him in astonishment. “Do you liieann to say that you sent me this—this thing?” “Certainly. Don't von like it?”

“L'ke it!” she echoed indigently; “do you think me the sort of person who likes the binding of books?” “Yes, that i- what I thought,” he said, looking at her. Rosy with anger she returned his glance. Was the man stupid, or, what was worse, a clumsy tease? But a gleam in his eyes gave her the maddening feeling that somehow it was she who was stupid. “I’m sorry,” he went on, “that I can't stoj) to tea. I came, to tell you that I'm obliged to be out of town for a day or two. 1 sha'll be

“Very well,” he said; hut turned again on the threshold. "Ry-the-way, how about the ring? I have the measure, but what stones do you prefer ?" His olfhand manner put her on her dignity more than ever. Site answered, indifferently, that she li'keil rubies. "1 have noticed that, ’ be said, "but you own as fine a one as can bo bought." He look lip the hand that- wore the jewel, and a curiously exhilarating little thrill passed over her at his touch. He looked at the stone, which was oblong. “Do you prefer that shape?" he asked. She said she did “What is your hirthstone?” She told him an emerald. It was costing her a struggle to keep back the tears, and it with relief that sho saw hint go.

Nothing so exasperating as that hook episode had ever happened to her: ami his manner throughout their meeting had not made it easier. Ho had offered her a gratuitous affront, and had not been ashamed of himself, not even embarrassed. Had he become engaged to her only to ridicule her? Wet!, she could pay him hack in his own coin. She didn’t care a pin what he thought

By the next day she put down the episode of the book as a freak of some sort—only, bow in the world had Rodney happened to indulge in freaks? By Tuesday she had begun to wonder how long site bad better wait betore writing to him. On Wednesday came a box.

She found it in bet: place at breakfast—a box an inch square, and at the thought of what it contained her heart beat faster. A girl who can count her jewels—“one”—must necessarily be excited as the thought of an engagement ring which is the .selection of a millionaire. But before she opened the box she read the note that accompanied it.

“You said you would like ;"i oblong stone,” ho wrote. “I think that diamonds are hotter than pearls, as you see they do not put the emcralld out.” A moment later she saw that Jio was right. Nothing could have put out that great eye of light. But in spite- of its beauty she felt dissatisfied. for his note seemed dry and stiff, not at- all the sort of thing a man madly in love ought to write. Her mother looked over her shoulder at the ring, and then at her daughter. "You don’t look as happy as von .should,” sht; said.

*■ I have great responsibilities,” Frances replied. She looked at the ring and tried to forget the letter. After breakfast she telephoned Dora: “Come in to tea, and I’ll show you something wonderful;” then went immediately to acknowledge ring and note. But her pen dallied while site tried to adapt the tone of her note to the tone of liis. Site had never seen anything quite so beautiful as that emerald. “You have a rival, now, poor dear,” site murmured, addressing the ruby. She put the two stones side by side ; they were of equal size and beauty, hut the diamonds gave the emerald an added lustre. As she put tin- engagement ring on her finger again something fell into her pen-tray. One of the diamonds had dropped out of the setting. ‘Oh, dear!” site thought, “how horrid !" Everything seemed to go wrong. Now she would have to hurry and have the gem reset before Dora came in to see it. "Without waiting to finish her note she set out for the jeweller’s, whose name was inscribed on the box. It was the largest and most- famous house in the city. She went to the head of the jewelry department, explained the nature of the accident, and asked to have the ring as soon as possible.

Slie would have it, lie said, that afternoon. They would send if. But she replied that would stop for it herself. She spent the inuring shopping, and when she returned to the jeweler’s the sight of the ring, restored, gave her spirits a little upward leap, hut after she had declared her satisfaction the clerk hesitated. “It’s a curious tiling,” ho said, “but that setting looked as if bad been tam pored with. Have you ever sent it anywhere before?” She looked at him in surprise. “Why, no—it was only given to mo this morning.”

It was hi.s turn to be astonished. “And has it never been out of your bands?”

“No,” she declared. “It came from this store to me, and hasn't been out of my sight.” “Ob, no it never came from this store,” lie said. “What makes von sav that?”

“Because, to tell the truth, Mi.su Fay.” be answered, “I’m afraid your stone is not genuine.” Slie stared at him. “Jinpossibe,” she gasped. “It is extraordinary, after what you have told me,” lie agreed. “But the polisher remarked something odd about it, so L examined it myself, and was convinced that it was false. However. 1 took it to the expert, and he say:- there's no doubt about it.” What she said to him she was not sure, but she left the store, holding her head very high, and her body very straight. Outwardly she was pale but composed ; within she was oil fire. After she had got into the cab she looked at the box and saw that it had been crushed out of shape in her hand. She called to the driver to drive last. Anger and humiliation at the undeserved affront were choking her. "Oh, how could he? How dared he?” she repeated, between panting breaths. Reaching home she rushed upstairs, locked her door, and sat down at her writing-desk to write Stone. She stated the incident of the morning. “You have offered me an insult twice,” she wrote. “The first—the hook—l passed over, because I hoped the slight was not intentional. But this 1 cannot pretend to mistake. By what right do you send me such a thing? You cannot excuse such conduct. but you can explain it.” She signed the note boldly, and sent it bv messenger. 'mi a C 1... „-.,1l „.l mi

was nover to see again. In two hours and a half sho heard the maid’s stop pnuso at her door. After all ho had comol But instead, thoro was handed .ill a noto—a very small thin white note, nddrossod in ltodnoy’s hand. Sho toro it open. .Within was n single line of writing: “I give you a very good imitation,” Dora, dropping in to ton, found “something wonderful," indeed, as Francos had promised, though not what .Frances had intended—the lady herself in tears. Dora was startled. "My dear girl, what is the matter ?” "1 can’t tell you, it's too dreadful.” "Have you quarelleil with him?” “Oh, if it were only that, it might lie arranged. But as it is, how can ] ever see him again?” "Fanny, he hasn’t done something awful?” "Oh, yes, ho has I” Frances turned a pale, despairing lace upon her friend. “Remember what 1 fold you at the opera?” “What you said?” •‘You asked me if 1 loved him, and 1 said —1 said. T give him a very good imitation.’ Well, he overheard it!” ••Oh.” Dora gasped, “hut he wasn’t there!” “Yes he was!’ “flow do you know?” “T know 1 i seo it all now!” And in a stream of pnsionuto words sho poured out her story—the carnations, Ho- hook, the ring—and last of all, the letter with one line of writing which she could not forget. “Don’t you seo,” she cried, “ho was trying to show mo so delicately, without tol'ling me, that he had heard me, that ho knew! But I was so blind, so stupid, and T didn't- see!” “But isn’t it hotter that lie should know the truth?’ said Dora. “But does lie?” as'ked Frances, lifting her head. “Frances Fay! You don’t mean that you arc in love with him?” “Oh, I don't know,” Frances wailed; "I don’t see how I can be! But I can’t have him go away -and think of me as u eold-lilooded wretch all his life. II 1 could only make him understand ”

“Well, why don’t you see him and tell him?”

“See him! Don you think he wants to see me now? Why, lie must despise me!” “Nonsense!” said Dora, stoutly. “Men dont’ take so much trouble when they despise you. Besides, a man of his sort, once lie’s ill love—and ho was—doesn’t got over it in a minute!”

Frances opened her eyes. “Dora, you’ve getting practical!” “And you’re getting sentimental!” Frances blushed. “IM see him,” suggested Dora.

"T can never look him in the face again!”

"Well, write then.” “But what can I say that lie won’t think it imitation?” Frances shook her head despondently. “Oh. no, it’s impossible. The thing is ended here!”

Nevertheless, her air, when Dora left, was not that of one who has given up hope. Sho spent a sleepless night. It did not seem possible sho eoukl be in love without knowing it; yet the idea of never seeing him again was intolerable to her. ,Somewhere, in the pale hours of dawn, an idea came to her. At first it was a small idea, but she cherished it and coaxed it, until, by the time the sun was up it appeared to her not impossible. Her spirits went up a little, and after breakfast, before she eouhl have time to doubt the wisdom of her decision, she took the carnations from the drawing-room, and flic book from the library shelf, put both in the fire, and watched them burn. Then she took the paste ring, in its crushed box, and again set out, though this time not to the jeweler’s.

Twenty-four hours later Rodney Stout* was sitting in tlio bedroom of his bachelor apartment. The line between his brows was deep, and his dark, square face, grave enough at best, wore an expression of gloom. There was a knock at his door.

“Come in!” lie growled, and his valet apologetically handed him a box and note.

It was an absurd, small box, an inch square, blit at sight of it Rodney Stone quickly seized it. The box made him frown, tho letter gave his face a look of eagerness, lie seemed afraid to open either, hut at last he resolutely ripped the envelope.

“I find I do not like imitations so much as I thought,” the noto read, “and so I’m sending back your ring.” Her name was signed beneath in a hand that had not faltered. That was all. With a jerk he tore the letter in two and flung it into the fire. Then the box—it poised in bis lingers, ready to follow, but something made him hesitate. Then ho took off the outside wrapping and saw that the pastboard shell had been crushed and was held together by an elastic band. Ho took this ofT and lifted the Lid. The box literally fell ‘to pieces in his hand, and leit lying there a ring. Tt was his ring as far as the setting and the wreath of diamonds went. Blit in the place where the emerald of glass had boon there glowed a ruby of surpassing lustre. He recognised it beyond a doubt. He steal holding the ring in hands that shook, and looking at what she had sent him—her ruby, ber only jewel—as if he could not believe bis eyes. At last bo said slowly: “It’s beautiful!” He jammed the ring upon bis little finger and looked at it a moment with a smile. “The witch!” he muttered, and then he seized his hat and coat, and whistling like a boy*, liurritd for tliajt bouse from which ail imitations had for ever vanished .

HINTS FOR THE HOME. AMOUNT OF SUKER NECESSARY. Sleep is unquestionably a beiutifiur. Eight or nine hours, and even ton several times a week, in the twonty-four should be given up to tho perfect relaxation of sleep, dust before going to sleep take a few deep breathing exorcises in fresh air. Then lie down on the right side perfectly relaxed. 11l litis attitude tlie action of the heart is not impeded and digestion is e isier, the opening from the stomach to the intestines being on the right side. One* often snores when lying on the hack. TO KEEP THE JIANDiS SOFT ,\ND WHITE. Keep at hand a jar of almond meal, or even oatmeal or coniineal, and after washing the hands with snip and warm water rub tlio meal thoroughly over the hands. A cake oT pumice stone will take off obstinate spots. If tho hands are wrinkled from long immersion in water dtp them into vinegar boforo washing them. Dry ovory part of tho hand carefully on a soft towel and rub ill anv healing lotion or cream that you find especially agrees with your skin. HOW MUCH SUGAR A GIRL MAY EAT. It. is said that an adult in good health may eat about ft quarter of a pound of sugar in twenty-four hours. Beyond this amount promises cannot be made as to effects. An authority on this subject says that there is no proof that sugar is harmful to the teeth or that it .pauses gout and like diseases.

Crocheted dishcloths will last longer than any other kind and will ho found easy to clean. Crochet them in nil open stitch about a foot square. Use a heavy white crochet cotton, or keep for ths purpose the string that comes around parcels, joining the ends and -rolling in a. ball.

A pincushion to woar on tho wrist will be a convenience to tho home dressmaker. It should bo a small, soft' pincushion, attached to an olastio band, just snug enough to wear on the left wrist. No slopping of work is necessary to look for a pin.

The bottom parts of small grapo-ba-skets "ill serve for many uses in the kitchen. They will be found convenient when cutting bread or vegetables, saving the table from marks; also as stands for bob dishes and kettles. "When polishing knives, a piece of wood about tlio size of the grape-basket is useful to rest the knives u;>on.

To prevout window-screens front rusting when they are put awav for tlio winter, brush them thoroughly, and wipe them on both sides with a soft cloth dipped in any good oil; or. after cleaning the screen:, apply only a little paint at a time, and spreading it right and left, up and down, on both sides of the screen. Painting the wire will preserve the screens for a long time. Jf they are oiled the work should he done each autumn before tliev are put away.

When putting awav white dresses wrap them in dark blue cambric to prevent them from turning yellow. Or a large sheet may be made very blue with ordinary bluing, dried, then rinsed again in bluing and thoroughly dried once more, and ties blue -dieet may he hung over white chit lies in the attic to keep" them from vellowing. Fine centn nieces and doilies, not in <•oinmon-u.se. .should he kept wrapped in blue ti. siio-panor.

To put on without licit) a blouse that buttons down the hack slip : t on with tlie hack at the front, tint do not put your arms in the sleeves. Fasten all the buttons and hook'repin the collar; then turn it around and insert your arms in the sleeves. This is a very easy way to button a tv list, but is possible only where the waist is made with no gatherings in front: t ipes being used at ;no hack to secure the front of the blouse.

THE LOVE SHE GAVE HIM

Ti IK STORY OF AN ENGAGED GIRL'S STRANGE DILEMMA. • o>.v Lucia Chamberlain. ) "Well, it's all over!” "Oil. Fanny, you haven't refused l-.im!" "Reiuseil him? Alter all those months, while ho has been blowing hot ami colil, anil wondering if ho dared? My dear Dora, it’s to be announced to-morrow.” -iiut I thought ho was madly in love with you all along." "Why, so he was,” said the slim, blond beauty; “that was just the trouble. Ho hated to own up to it 1 Though when l finally made him I must say he did it handsomely. Dora squeezed her friend's arm. “He is magnificent! And then, what hick that iin* man you’ve fallen in love with happens to have money. "Morey. child, 1 couldn't, have allordcd to have been in love with him il lie hadn't. Don't shake you head at me. Dor:'.! You don't know how nasty it is to bo poor." She glanced from the opera box out o'er tiie glittering crowd and then down at her own unelaboratc dress. "! adore beautiful tilings,” she .sigh 'ii. "and yet I've never had any --tins is the only jewel 1 have owned." She held tip a (’-lender finger si: which glowed a single ruby like a drop "I bond. ••Rut non vo| will have Inis just as tine," said Dora lightly. "Rodney .Sion - is a lucky fellow! W here is he?" I'm dying to congratulate him." "Ho isn't, here. lie had another engagement." “Why dnlu't he break it?” "He threatened to, tint I made him keep it.” "Fan, you queer creature! H I were in love with a man 1 wouldn't be happy it he were out of my sight.” “Yes,my dear, you would take one last evening to tell your friend about To-morrow it will be out, and we will be asked everywhere together, and congratulated until we are bored to death, and all the old cats will tell me hot? lucky 1 am, anil wonder behind my bar'k what he can sec in me. Of course, lam lucky,” she v.-r-nt cn thoughtfully. "He is awfully gmcrou . I believe lie would give me the head off his shoulders if 1 asked lor : t. And I will give him as much as most women give. I give him b. :-uty—which is why ho loves me—and a proper figure for the foot of r.i.j tab!i t and a mainspring to the machinery of his menage ” "A:i<.l your love,” said Dora gently. .Fra.tec:, turned toward.- her friend with a peculiar expression on her handsome face. “Well. I give him a very good imitation,'’ she said A slight movement behind them startcul both. Frances looked hastily over her shoulder. There was no one else in the box, and the curtains in the hack hung motionle a. Rising, site drew them aside, but tin? little entry was empty. “It must have been the people coming into the next box," she thought, and forgot it.

Frances Fay invoke the next morning with an uneasy conscience. She wondered it' site had said too much to Dora last night. Since site was pretending to he in love with him it might have been hotter to pretend to everyone. Yet it had been a relief to tell some one the truth; and of course Dora was perfectly safe, Still she wished she had not been quite so flippant. “T give him a verv good imitation”—it sounded too coldblooded put into words. Yet it had not been intentionally cold-blooded. If she had been in love with some one else—but she had never been in love with anyone, and it had been exciting, capturing the big. obstinate man, so that site had been pledged to pretend for tin rest of her life before she fairly realised it. Yet underneath she was conscious that her" -r&ti&renztm was the knowledge that if she told Hod she did not love, him he wouldn’t have asked her to marry him. It was all very well for girls with money to think about love; but when you were so poor what were you to do? She read the announcement of her engagement in the morning papers, and the phrase ‘‘love match” irritated her. liy noon flowers, notes, telegrams and telephone messages began to arrive. She penned hasty acknowledgements, meaning to post them later, and then threw the notes into the waste-paper basket. The flowers she gave to her maid to arrange. the afternoon Dora came but before they could exchange questions oif explanations a huge florist’s box, viitli ltodney Stone’s card attached, wfts handed in. Frances frowned, lnit when she raised the lid with languid interest, she could not help an exclamation of surprise, the flower-; were so superb. They were earn anions, shaded from the palest to deepest rose. Frances bent over them with delight. ■•Magnificent!” she murmured, and took the bunch in both hands. Something in the texture surprised her. She looked quickly at them, ran her finger nil one of the stalks and touched a petal. “Why!” she cried, half-laughing, ‘‘it’s marvellous!” “What is it!-” “Tliev’re not real!"

Frances thrust them upon her friend. “Feel them!” It was. in truth, an astonishing copy of Nature. The stems and fine fringes of leaves were carried out in silk of a shade that deceived the eye and a texture that all but —lTieked touch, while the petals, a dedicate velvet, were cunningly shaded to cream-white at the calyx. “Oh!” said Dora, touching them with dubious finger-tips; and then ■ raising her eves to her friend, “artificial flowers! How queer!” “Queer?” Frances laughed. “It's perfectly delightful. 1 diiln t know he could lie so clever.” “]{ should bate to have siieh things ".sen 1 me,” sajd Dora quickly. ...... _