The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-26

| he loosed her fingers and laid the gift in
them.
That's right, then" he said, with low
sig Slgn, as II some heavy weight were suddenly
an easier mind. 1 don't want you to wear
them till you are married; Douglas can take
care Of them till then for you. Just put them
on for a minute though; I have a fancy for
seeing you in them. 1 always thought that
emeralds would suit you Yes, take off your
hat-thats right"
Cora clasped the necklace round her neck
over the plain black serge she was wearing
and, with natural, harmless, girlish van
ity, glanced for moment at herself in the
glass. .
| The sombre green certainly became her,
and smiling back at herself, Douglas watching
her, neither of them saw the sudden flicker
of savage admiration that sprang up in EVAN
Stewards eyes as he looked at her.
Yes, emeralds suit you, he said, in a con-
elusive tone ''Well, wear them in memory
of a man who could not help loving you"
I'VE shall both always value the gift, and
the kindly feeling that prompted it, immense
ly, old man." said Douglas, gravely. Cora,
shall I help you with the clasp"
|. ooh, no! have managed it, said she, and
taking it from her neck, she held it out to
him.
Here's the bag, put it in that said Evan,
from his sofa.
Douglas looked critically at the curious
embroidery of the leather
What queer work! 1t looks like charac-
tiers. How did you manage to get hold of it,
Ewan?"
"Oh, we travellers get hold of strange
things at times! I took a fancy to the neck
lace the first time it, and, you know, I
generally manage to get what 1 want said
Evan, smiling. Except once, and that, as
you know, was the most important thing in
the world to me; but now 1 can't ask you
to stay longer. Talking always does me up,
and 1 feel a hot attack coming on. 1 had
just got over shivering one when you came.
n
don't meet again, you won't forget me, will
you?'
The hand that held hers now was burning
hot, and the eyes seemed piercing her
through and through with their gaze.
The girl was glad when, farewells said, they
were out in the corridor again.
Poor old Evan, he does seem bad!" said
Douglas, sympath izngly: but am sure he
will pull through. 1t was awfuy nice of him
to give the necklace, and 1 am sure in
spite of all he may say, it is really very val
liable"
II did not say anything before Evan, but
[ am afraid 1 broke the clasp off in taking
it off," said Cora. ct got tangled in my hair"
Never mind, I will get it repaired before
you want to wear it. Indeed, a jewellers
strong room would not be a bad place for it
till we are married. said Douglas.
Yes. I shall have to start a jewel box in
its honor said Cora, smiling. "Oh, 1 beg
your pardon''
In her absorption she had brushed UP
dressed in correct, European costume, who
was passing by the Metropole, with the look
of who has not quite made up his
mind as to the hotel he shall patronize
Up in his room Evan Stewart was painting
and perspiring in the throes of a hot attack
but his lips were curled into an evil smile
I'm memory of a man who loved her! Ha
no! wonder how she will read that by-and-
by. 1t was gift Of gifts, the revenge of
revenges, nothing clumsy inartistic about
that. What a brilliant thought of mine, to
buy it from that recreant priest, who wished
to work vengeance on his superors; he
warned me it would be a dangerous play
thing, but I hardly thought they would be
the track quickly.
'The thing now, is to let them know it has
changed hands. I wonder through how many
it will pass before it finds its way back to the
goddess reck again, up in that lonely tenn
pie. They say there are members of that
wonderful society, wherever there are Hin
docs to be found. For moment 1 thought
Cora had her suspicious, she is a woman
with mind and an intelligence; but ouglas-
bah!-the great laundering fool-it is hardly
worth while to deceive him. and then sheer
physical anguish cut short his exultation.
and his man had to be summoned to admin
lister the ether, to help his aboring heart.
CHAPTER IL
Douglas Stewart, coming out of the