The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-07-02
r UDGE HOLLISTER looked up


with frown of annoyance when
his study door opened uncere-
moniously and some papers on
us desk blew out of place. But his
race relaxed little when he saw that
il was only Lalite.
rather! she exclaimed in an anx-
ious voice, what do you think has
happened? I've lost my watch"
"Ah?' said the Judge quietly. Have
you, nay dear: What sort of watch
was it,"
Lalite turned on him with a ripple of
laughter
why. father" she said, you ought
to know. You gave it to me yourself
for my birthday"
To be sure, to be sure. so did" an
swered the Judge smiling. Il had for
gotten about that You see. you took
me somewhat by surprise"
II did rush in rather like q wbirI.
wind in petticoats, didn't Il" confessed
Lalite penitently. please forgive me-
but was so worried that 1 couldn 4,
think of anything else but getting
here. What shall l do about it.
Daddy"
How did it happen" asked the
Judge.
Il was out walking" she said with
Howard Washburn, and when we left
the house l wore my watch on this
chain over my jacket 1t was tucked
in here. We went into Il florists to get
some violets, and when we came out 1
thought we'd better be turning toward
home, and started TO see what time it
was. But the watch was gone and the
chain was broken, like this. Howard
went back into the shop, and asked the
man who waited on us whether it had
dropped in there. but he said they
hadn't seen it. 1 was awfully fond of
that little watch. father" the girl
finished almost tearfuny.
Let's see" said the Judge. drawing
n sheet of paper toward him. 1T was
a small, plain gold one wasn't it, La
litef"
With my monogram on it,
With your monogram on IT, And I
think ! have the number OF it in my
old diary"
The methOdical man hunted out n.
book Of the previous year He never
forgot the date of his daughters birth
day. 1t was a day OF double memories
10 him. 1t had given him Lalite and
taken away her mother in the same
breath.
"Here it is" lac read in a murmur
February second, Gave Lalite her
watchY January 3O-2Sth. 27th. 2Gth.
How thoughtless of me, Lalite! I did
not keep the number after all Never
ind: 81 was a Tiffany watch and the
monogram ought TO be sufficient to
trace It. Now. Lallte. i'm case it's been
lost Wen advertise IT, and I'm case it's
been stolen wen quietly notify the po-
lice bureau 90 send word TO all the
Pawnshops and the big jewellers"
He wrote few lines quickly, inter
rupting himself to ask NO other
marks OF Identification about it any
where were there daughter"
The girl flushed deeply ana went
around behind his chair to look over
bis shoulder
There was the monogram and the
make and the plain gold case Sue re-.
peated with some embarrassment
eyes yes, I've put those down al
rendy," he said q little testify.
what else could there be. father?"
asked Lalitc.
"Oh. dents or scratches or other
marks" he answered carelcssly
Lalitc laughed aloud almost with re-
JIG. 30 seemed
Daddy dear" She said. OF haven't
bitten or scratched or bumped my
things since 7 was q baby 80. the lit
tie watch has mo- scars on it. at least"
she added. wistful.y "it didn't have
any when Sc was last n my hands"
There. there" said the Judge. pat.
ting Ter face gently "I hope you'll
get it back again al safe and sound