The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-09
of Michigan, where they smelt copper, and
there he stayed all through the fall and win

u 0nlCnlSdn, Wnere they Smelt copper, anu
there he stayed all through the fall and win
ter that followed.
AND then. in the early spring of the follow
ing year, the same Cranborne alighted from
train that pulled in to big depot IN a
kentucky city. 1t was Saturday night, al
ready after 10 o'clock. Cranborne flung his
valise into a hack and, instead of going to a
hotel, directed the driver to a private resi-
dence some distance out in the suburbs OF
the city.
The house was in darkness when that mack
drew up before its front gate but that made
no dlfference to the new arrival. He rang
the bell in a way that showed unmlstakaply
his intention to be admitted.
Miss Efie, sir?" said a sleepy servant;
who at length answered. Miss Fife is gone
out to party, sir.
"Where?"
"At Mrs. Goodlin's. SIR
That was enough. Cranborne knew Mrs.
Goodlin. He had not been invited to the
party but that was not to be expected, when
he was supposed to be in Michigan. That ne
was unShaved and attired in rough and-ready
travelling dress made no difference in a case
of extreme urgency, as this was.
In the event, Mrs. Goodlin was very glad
to see Mr.. Cranborne, but that, too, was not
OF much Importance. He begged her to let
him speak in private with Miss Efie Stark.
AS a matter of fact, Miss Efle Stark was
just then speaking in private with another
man. But Mrs. Goodlin, after one moments
reflection, decided to break in upon that
tete-a-tete. She did it by saying: Excuse
me, won't you? Effie Mr.. Cranborne has just
appeared and wants to see you at once"
The other man bit his lip and inwardly
swore, while outwardly, he was giving his
arm to Mrs. Goodlin.
Don't think crazy, Effe.' That was
how Cranborne opened the conversation. 1t
is after IL o'clock now, and had to see you
before midnight l intended to start week
ago, but ever so many things delayed me in
Michigan. And then the train got stalled,
and we missed connection at Cincinnati"
Ellie, between one emotion and another,
made very pretty picture of a young lady
blushing. But she had nothing ready to say,
though her lips were parted as if to speak.
II had to see you today" Cranborne went
on. mot day sooner or a day later. This
is Easter Eve. Let M tell you what 1 am
driving at at once. There is an old belief in
Greece that have always wanted to test the
truth Of They say there that if a gem or
anything of that sort has a curse on it, you
can destroy the curse by giving it on Easter
Eve to "a girl who is very good indeed, and
who loves you
"Oh!" gasped Fife
Eyes, that was why I wanted to see you
before midnight" Cranborne went on. Then
he took that splendid trophy of emerald and
brilliants from a little deerskin bag. Now,
listen.' he said. 1.-The man from whom I
bought this told that it was cursed and
had brought him only misfortune ever since
he first got hold of it. So you see, if you
takeit and wear it, it will bring you misfor-
tune unless you love me- =, -
rs that ali?" said Effie. i
: Yes" -
down.
Five minutes later she was looking for her
escort and her wraps. Mrs. Goodin noticed
that she kept her left hand concealed under
glove which she had wrapped about it's
fingers
Cranborne left the city again in Easter
week. In the following summer he met
Fielding once more-at Chicago this time
"Hulo!' said Fielding. Here's my gallant
deliverer. What luck did you get out of that
blasted emerald. old chap? I'm on the top
wave myself
II congratulate YOU" said Cranborne.
That blasted emerald as you call it, has
brought me nothing but the best fortune.
"Ycu don't say! Well, L congratulate you,
then. But you didn't wear it,"
NO." said Cranborne. Il let someone else
do that. By the way, I'm going to be mar
ried in October. Congratulate me again. I
tried an experiment, that's all. I always did
like experiments"