Dodge City times., 1888-12-27
BY HENRY L. BLACK.

m MS bright eyes. and kissed him instead
tney were n rare couple. and members o
a rare family. Outsiders had callci the
statel. home OF the Danforths. located on
one Of the most fashionable boulevards oi
the great city. the house OF good cheer, and
If the royal preparations for Ck ristmas going
on in kitchen and parlor alike were any in
dication. the coming holidays were no,
likely tc be far behind cherished. happy eel
chrations in the past.
Mrs. Panforth had reason to chide her son
on the present occasion. He had called her
aside with a shade OF charming secrecy and
intrigue IN his manner as he glanced at his
pretty sister, Blanche. and had shown her
the present he designed for her.
No wonder his mother stared and admired
and then looked dismayed. In a satin
lined case nestled set of diamond iewelry
such as even she-social leader as she had
been where gems wero sometimes worn
that represented = fortune-had never seen
elualed.
Brooch, necklace. pendants. solitaire,
ci.ster and bracelets set was COM
pie'e marvel of flashing beauty, all tho
more beautiful because of the severely
simple gold setting
Sidney. Sidney!- she gasped. they must
have COST
Never mind. mother. No Gift can make
can be too good for Blanche. You know
the fortune l inherited from your sister
should have been equally divided between
Bianche and myself, instead of coming en-.
trely TO me. 1t has always given me n
sense OF unTairness. Well. l have simpIv
Invested her share in these gems. They
eayc value she some day may need to use
ana III her own right: SO don't lisp hint of
IT. She will be delightedly surprised. All.
Grace-Miss Vernon, l did not know xo,
were here
rustling curtain had BETRAYED an auditor
10 the domestic colloquy. A dark-eyed
rather handsome woman. u few years older
than Sidney. came into view. with a flush n,
apology upon her face.
Il was half asleep in the window she
murmured. -and could not escape. You
will pardon me?"
On, We can have no secrets from you,-
SAID Sidney, brightly. And then another
Fair OF feminine eyes glowed over tho be-
Witch'ns array OF gems. only their DEPTHS
betrayed slight tinge of envy.
OF course it's secret from Blanche ro
marked Sidney. -Good-by. mother: good
by. Grace. Father isn't home, is he. moth.
cr?" he asked abruptly.
No. Sidney
And he has the key to the library safe 7
don't care TO lug a fortune around n r,i,-
road depot. Miss Vernon, will Won be rn-
sronsible for this little bundle OF radi,nc.
until this EVENING"
A bright. eager look flashed into tho -d,rt
face. as if its possessor felt happv Mt tho
confidence reposed in her by handsome
1mpetuous Sidney. Mrs. Danforth looked n
little anxious. as if some suggestion OF love
might actuate the sentiments of her CON
and hor guest. 1t was not in her br;cb,
nature TO allow trifies to annoy her however.
ana she smiled an adieu to Sidney, with the
vsrds: >--o
Don't miss the train. You know Captain
iarole Is stranger in the city. and h, will
be expecting you: and then she went to af-
tend to some domestic duty. with a pleasant
Jest to Grace Vernon to look out for h,rr-.
lars and her precious charge.
Inc eyes 6f me latter dIlaf1d. and Ksr
bosom heaved. once alone In every feature
OF her dusky face the siren showed envy .e
she opened the jewelcass and e!oated over
the gems 1t held. and seemed TO ponde,
moodily. fcrccly. intently. Then she started
a sudden impulse seemed to seize her and
She went to her room. dressed herself for m.
street. and half an hour later, heavily ve;,ed
reached the store of an obscure iewe,er IN
retired business street.
Mamma. Blanche Danforth asked that
afternoon. is Miss Vernon going to remain
with US for the holidays?-
have invited her. dear. Whv, you
look displeasedl' A~'
L am q little. must confess ,.,,,.s
Blanche. slight frown on her pretty facc
6istrust haes' :"