Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1900-09-06
Barclay leaned forward and took the

THE exact counterpart Of your own
signature, Miss Hawthorne" he said,
wonderingly, "and It is not hand so
readily to be counterfeited."
"It's an old accomplishment of Har-
ry's. He can copy anything that he
sees. The counterfeiters missed val
liable acquisition TO their number when
he was born an honest man."
when get hard up. Pussie, I'll put
that name on the bottom of a check.
You'll honor 1t when il comes in, won't
you? Even IL you recognize the diff
ference, you wont give me up to the
clutches of the law"
A strange eect this idle, careless,
laughing speech made on the little
group.
Helen, IL she had even heard, made
no movement, hut went on PLAYING
with the tiny boy. A dark-red flush
Dverspread Harvey Barclays face so
dark. so red. that he bent his head to
hide It. A singular, almost lurid light
srarkled in his eyes; his mouth
twitched nervously. his hand instinct
lively clenchAd. From Grace's face the
smile died. A momentary shock showed
itself on her features. and then she an
swered. half-laughingly, half-serious-
iy:
IT think, Harry" she said. you
would only have to ask for me to sign
my own name to the renunciation Of
my entire fortune If you needed it. No,
I would not give you up to the law"
Afterwards she remembered question:
and answer, the scene. the time, the
place. until IL seemed as IL that mo-
ment had fc-ever indelibly impress d
itself upon her memory.
Reaching over, Harry took the parer
Mr.. Barclay had restored to her, and
tore 1t into fragments.
80 renounce my fortune" he said
still laughing, and then the conversa-
ton changed to other themes.
A few moments later and only one
taken Place, and little he rocked who
so unwittingly had sown the seed. the
bitter harvest 1t shouly reap for him.
One of the most brilliant parties of
the season was to take place that
night. 1t was given by the wife of the
secretary of state, and the cards had
been out more than fortnight.
Peerlessly, regally beautiful looked
Helen Reynolds, as she turned from the
pier glass to meet her husbands fond,
admiring glance.
She wore a gown lone of worth's
creationsl which haC been Grace's gift
to her. 1t revealed the faultiess per-
fection Of her form. and disdained to
conceal the snowy neck and arms.
my beautiful darling," exclaimed
the young husband, rapturously; you
grow more beautiful every day."
'In your eyes, Harry" she an
swered, sweetly.
And just then knock sounded on
the door, and to the summons to enter.
Grace advanced into the room. Har-
ry's eyes dwelt on her wonderingly.
She seemed to him the butterfly burst
from the chrysalis in an hour. Even
beside Helen's brilliant loveliness. hers
demanded equal right of recognition.
She was feirer, less brilliant type.
Her skin was colorless as a lily's-col-
orless as the dress she wore Of crepe,
which glimmered over satin, likewise
of ivory whiteness; her eyes were blue
as the heart Of the iris: the light
on the red gold of her hair;
but there was change beyond all this.
beautiful child he had ever thought
her had gone to-night-forever van
ished! In her stead beautiful wo.
man stood. Long months ago, through
bitter throes, her soul had wakened;
but only tonight 1t burst upon him
like a revelation OF the moment.
A little murmur ran through the al
ready crowded rooms, as Harry Rey-
nolds entered them with his wife and
fathers ward. Instantly they were
surrounded by a little host of appli-
cants for coveted positions on their
cards. On Helen's, Harvey Barclay
wrote his name twice; then he took
that of Grace from her hand.
"Only one little place vacant?" he
said, reproachfully, "and that not a
waltz"
'I am sorry" she answered. "You
see, 1t is my loss missing 50 good
partner as Mr. Barclay; but, really.
have had very little to say about the
matter
He wrote his name upon the vacant
space.
"At least It will give me an opportu-
nifty for a few words" he murmured,
in a low, impressive tone: "and there
is something. Miss Hawthorne. must
say to you Tonight"
The girl glanced up with startled
eyes. and half-parted her lips 20 speak.
In that moment she remembered Har-
ry's warning to her. and part OF the
meaning which had escaped her now
returned to her; and her impulse died
hasty death. as the band. from its
hidden recess. clashed forth the sum-
mons to another dance. and its FORUM
ate possessor approached to assert his
claim.
"And what is II you have to say to
Grace tonight" whisered voice In
his ear.
He turped-Heien, standing directly
behind them, had heard all Without
answering. he slipped her hand within
his arm and led her through the bril-
Iiantly-ligiited rooms. across the spa
cious halls. through the apartments
opposite. until they reached the con-
servatory. whose cool shadow already
appeared a reiief-no weary dancers
having yet found their way there. For
the moment It was as deserted as some
tropical isle. The sound Of the music
was borne but family to their ears.