The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-07-13

and calling 10 the pug Zone aiong'
dearest; it isn't here" departed
Bertran laid down the paper and look
ed after her. she appeared 10 him to
have a singular amount Of sang troid also
8 very graceful back
Mr.. Lamar was not bored that after
noon. He Was consumed with perplexi-
~ How could he return the lost treas
ure TO the owner without causing heren-
bsrrassnent, without making her his
enemy for life? Fit had been anything
else how delightfully."- he could have
broken the ice with it But te break
the ice with that historic emblem-im-
possible!
aI must give It to her this evening, he
thought. an wrap II up in paper and
tie one ofthe ribbons round it that are
on that handkerchief case Millyga gave me.
Then. If she asks meas Of course she
wiIl-Ehat is it, III say earelessly: "Oh,
nothing Just trife think belongs
TO Won. Don't hurry to open It. Have
YOU noticed what beautiful night it is !?
And 50 III engage her in absorbing con-
yersation. But ifthe conversation is not
sufficiently absorbing and she begins to
openit must fee from the wrath to come
And when next meet her, dying to
speak or even bow 10 her, there viii be q
wall Of ice raised between US She viii
turn her profile toward me and become
enqrossed in the beauties ofthe land
scape. Such is the irony Of fate"
ATT O'Clock Mr.. Lsrmer come slowly
down the broad stairs, looking as hand
some as a young Dionysins, in his dress
suit, his shining shirt bosom and a
white pink in his buttonhole. The hall
was full Of moving figures and a blaze of
light and color.
Mr.. lamar was too peTturbed to mingle
with the gay, loud voiced, laughing
crowd. He wished for solitude and di-
rected his steps toward the little writing
room. He had not wrapped the treas
ure in paper, nor tied it with ribbon
from his handkerchief case. He had not
done anything with it. lie had not done
anything with II. he did not dare. The
sight Of its owner might inspire him TO
the desperate pitch of boldly offering it
to her; OF suggest to him some cunning
way Of returning It without betraying the
identity Of the finder. With these ideas
in his mind he carried il still in his poek-
ct in company with his keys.
The gas in the writing room was not
lit Mr.. Lamar went to the open wind
oE. Just outside II on the balcony was
the young lady who had worn the yellow
shoes. She was reading and rOoking, her
pug in her lap, and if she was pretty in
her flannel morning dress words cannot
describe her in a mist Of fine black gauze
cut square around her neck, and showing
her arms to the elbow. Her skin was as
white and fswless as a blanehed almond.
There was the CLEAN of a gold pin from
the shadow of her dark hair, and jewel
hanging around her neck rose and fell
with her quiet breath. AS she read she
absently pulled the pug's ears, which lay
with its eyes half open and its head
against her head.
lamar looked around. She turned the
page. The pug, disturbed, rose to its fore
paws, gazed at her with an expression Of
idiotic fondness, and tried to lick her
chin. She avoided this demonstration
of affection by moving her chin from
side to side. keeping her eyes still on the
book. The pug continuing, she struck il
gently, observing.
Don't, you bad, little, abominable
dogw
Il beg your pardon said lamar sud-
denly from the window.
The lady looked mp with raised eye
brows of polite inquiry.
q have something of yours, said the
yo1ng man desperately and in low
tone.
"Yes? What is it?"
IL don't quite know. Or rather
Well-But-Umi I didn't like to leave
it at the Office. I thought"-He leaned
out of the window with his closed hand
extended. Here it is"
She held out her hand, and he drop
ped it in. She looked and gave an ex-
elamation Of JOY that caused the pug to
jump to the ground.
"Oh, how glad ann Thanks so much
Thanks awfully. I was afraid it was lost.
Isn't that lucky? and she look affection
ately at the returned treasure with her
head on one side.
There was light enough to see her face
distinctly. She did not exhibit a sign Of
embarrassment, not the ghost of a blush.
Lamar felt sudden chill of disappoint-
ment
%You found it there p she said, indi-
eating the writing room, and looked al
him with frank, candid eyes. "Yes,
there's where it was lost"
IL suppose 50" said lamar, with a
wan smile.
q looked for it myself this morning all
over" she continued, under everything,
but it was gone"
"Yes." said the young man, with a
fAtuously inquiring air. "If she knew I
was behind the paper she'd ask me why
/ didn't give it to her then and there and
what the deuce would l say?"
q value this very much" she went on,
turning it over in her hand.
81 should imagine So"
"Tou see, there is only one like it.
There is not single duplicate any
where"
She looked smilingly into his face.
Lamar stared at her in stupefed horror.
"oaly one-did you say" he man
aged to artieulate in faint voice.
"Only one" she repeated, nodding her
head. at was made to order"
There'was q moment of silence. Lamar
made no comment but continued to
stare vacantly at her. He was think
ing: at must have been an accident.
She can't be veteran of war"
"When you have only one, and that
such & pet" she continued, not notice
ing his silence, you ike to have every
thing as pretty as possible
Yes, yes OF course, of course, ejacu-
lated Lamar, laughing idiotically. "If
you have only one, / expect it must be