A Struggle for a Ring — page 243: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“HE IS MY HUSBAND.” — 239 “Yes,” renal Alice, musingly. ‘* My maid,” continued Lady Ethel, ‘‘is very clever over jewels and artificial flowers, but natural ones always require the touch of a lady's white hand. Will you do it for me, Miss Derwent?” The pain deepened on the girl s face, but she answered bravely : ‘“T will do it with great pleasure, Lady Ethel.” ‘*Thank you,” said the heiress. ‘‘ You are very kind and good to me; I shall not forget it, Miss Derwent. I want to look nice to-night.” The blue eyes, with their vailed passion and vailed fire, were raised to hers. ‘‘Why to-night,’ asked Alice, ‘‘ more than at aay other time?” ‘« That is my secret,” laughed Lady Ethel. She blushed the loveliest crimson, and Alice felt again sick at heart as she gazed upon her. ‘Can it be that she wants to look charming in my hus- band’s eyes?” thought Alice, little dreaming that proud Lady Ethel would have given her whole life to have won one glance of real love and admiration from the dark eyes . of Vivian Carsdale. Then Lady Ethel went away, saying as she went : ‘You will come to my room; I will have the flowers brought there, I will tell Lady Waldrove that you are good enough to give me your assistance.” She went, leaving Alice once more alone; but that soli- tude was peopled now with strangely sad thoughts. Why was this beautiful woman anxious to look so well?) Why did she want crimson roses and delicate green ferns on her golden hair? , ‘©T will not help to make her beautiful, that she may (E(o) AA) G JOO S (E(@)