Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-01-28
CHAPTER IL

Ouc dlIcIuOOu Ill early ouLILuC1, I'LL &C
years later, John stood at the window
of his trim, professional-loolling house,
md looked out on the green garden
Of the square in which the trees nodded
and rustled in the breeze and remind
ed him of Elsa.
As he stood there, modify reviewing
the past, he saw Mrs. Ponder labor
slowly up the street, her dotted veil
pushed up on her forehead, her face
red and shiny with exertion or excite
ment. Being admitted, she entered his
room and sat down without ceremony.
Il know look u guy, but I couldn't
wait minute" she painted. 81 had to
come to tel you. o! dear, the diamond
has been found. Poor Elsa-poor, poor,
dear, innocent lamb!"
John turned pale and graspcd the
back Of his chair. go on" he said,
Eoarsely.'
I'm so bewildered, I don't know
where to begin. A friend Of mine came
10 see me about the little upholstress
/ had recommended to her. She said
she had missed things and traced them
to the woman's lodgings, and then the
place was searched, and among other
stolen things a diamond was found.
She broke down and confessed that she
had taken it, but was too frightened to
offer it for sale, and was waiting for
her husband-a well-known thief--to
come out of prison and get rid of it for
her. 1t appears that when she came to
measure for the chintz-covers for Elsa's
bedroom dear, dear, how the poor girl
went on about them!) she saw the ring
on the dressing-table, and, turning it
about while l was out of the room for
minute, the diamond fell out on the
floor. She had just time to drop the set
ting into half-opened drawer when
came in, but having, as she said, no OPP
portunity to replace the diamond, she
was tempted to keep it."
what about the false diamond?"
asked John.
"Ahl I have only just discovered
that" said Mrs. Ponder, opening the
shabby bag in which she carried her
purse and handkerchief. 1.-THE
wretched thief swore she knew nothing
about it, and that is quite likely, since
have found this in the same drawer
where Elsa found the ring. left her
things just as they were when she went
away, thinking she might come back
some day." She held up the brooch she
had given Elsa for birthday present
pne of the bogus stones was missing.
at was tangled in an old veil-Im sure
| don't know why Elsa wouldn't wear
tho wonder she thought the stone
she picked up was the diamond, they're
Just as good as real" added Mrs. Pom
der, eying the brooch with admiration.
"a mere coincidence! What fools we
have been!" said John, savagely strid-
ing up and down in his agitation. Il
wish to heaven you had not told me
about her father that day!"
"Why?" calculated Mrs. Ponder, in
dignantly. "You said it made no diff
ference, and when told Elsa she said
she had meant to tell you herself"
John stopped short, selling the as
tonished woman by the wrists.
"You let Miss Elsa know that you had
told me that afternoon?"
"Let me go. How dare you? Yes, OF
course did. We had few words after
you had gone, and that cropped up
srnoug other things"
There is no day so lonely as birth
day, If It be not spent with those one
cares for best--or, failing the lovea
presence, with the memory of some ten
der message to haunt one through the
day. John missed both bitterly, and
determined to seek in music peace of
mind, since forgetfulness was impos-
Eible.
lie paid extra7agantly for his seat
in ST. James hall, and took possession
of it just as some one began the Moon
light Sonata" Dreamily he enjoyed
the wonderful mesmeric melody; listen
ing, with closed eyes, he heard its ten
der human voice tell of Elsa, Of their be-
trothal and the storminess of their
parting. AS it ended, he awoke, sigh
ing, from his reverie, to o conscious
ness of Elsa's presence. He could not
account for tit seemed part of the
dream-yet there she sat, next to him,
studying the programme, her sweet,
oval face shaded by large black hat
that cunningly revealed the waves and
coils of her chestnut hair. She was
dressed faultleasly and looked at ease
with the world and herself. John had
pictured their meeting so differently
he had had visions of need and dis
tress bringing her back to him, Of love
conqu,ring pride, and he missed the
pathetic, downward curve OF her red
lips. =
Unconscious of his scrutiny, she read
on to the end of the page, when she
looked up and their eyes met. She
started little, then held out her hand
with gracious movement.
GLOW do you do? You are the last
person in the world expected to find
herel 1 hoped to be in time for the
sonata, but 1 see have just missed it."
lie did not hear word of the song
that followed-he was wondering what
to say to this strange, cold, but ever
fascinating Elsa. She turned to him in
the interval and said:
"My conscience has often pricked
me about not writing to Mrs. Ponder.
Have you seen her lateIy?'
Eyes, I saw her last week." he an
swered, hurriedly, "and she told me
something you have right to know"
Elsa held up her little gleyed hand
with a deprecating gesture.
"oh, please-please-nothing about
that unfortunate diamond! I suppose
it has turned up somewhere. meant
to save up and send you another, but
afterwards L thought it would be bet
ter to forget 1t all"