The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1901-12-17

she looked anxiously toward the con-
fusing mass of hotels. II forget where
1t is" she said plaintively The next
moment she exclaimed with sudden in
spiration:
you can find 1t, can't your"
II hope so, Rose" Jack responded
cheerfully, taking the small hand in
his and turning from the beach; Il
shall try very hard anyhow"
There it is now See mamma on the
porch?" and mite of finger tried
to point out in the crowd on the We
randa of the large hotel a certain slen-.
der black-clad figure with face like the
lily and hair like its heart.
The book Mrs. Waters held in her
hand was suddenly jostled and CLAN
cling down for the cause, she found her
child leaning across her lap looking
up at her with a roguish smile.
where have you been, you naughty
child? Mother has been worried nearly
to death about you" But the placid
face and tone belied her words.
Little Rose replied by slightly open
ing one of her tightly closed little fists,
disclosing sparkling gem. Mrs. Wa
ters promptly snatched 1t.
Mind. / am going to punish you,
Rose, for taking this" she said in a
low. arm voice. Rose only continued
to smile and gently Enclosed the other
fist, showing the other earring. AS
the mother seized this also, she looked
at her little daughter with a startled
expression Rose stole glance side-
wise. The mother followed 1t to the
tanned, bearded face of a stranger
whose dark eyes met hers with look
that for moment affected her as the
sight of the second earring had done.
But in a moment her face resumed it's
natural expression. She smiled conde-
scendingly.
you are the jeweler at the corner
of the avenue and the beach, l be-
lieve," she said. Something suddenly
faded from the strangers eyes.
This is very good match for mine,
apparently" Mrs. Waters continued,
1.-The best I've ever seen. / should like
to have a connoisseur compare them.
Mr.. Cameron" turning to gentleman
near her and holding out the earrings
to him, what do you think of these?"
why, they are magnificent, Mrs.
Waters" after moments scrutiny.
This one is. know"
why, they are matched"
Oh, mol The mate of this one is in
South Africa" Then to his look OF
inquiry she replied coouettishly:
II gave it to an old lover of mine
ten years ago. He was going away
poor fellow, to seek his fortune anC
mine, and l wanted him to have some
reminder of me, so / gave him one o.
my priceless earrings 70 shirt stud
"And he never came back?"
What was the use?"
ION, yes! l understand: womanlike
you wereathe one to forget"
"And he went off to South Africa
poor old Jack, to bury his disappoint
ment, they say. | have often wishe,
he had been thoughtful enough to sen,
my earring back to me-"
"You can certainly get a perfect sub
stitute for it in that one"
"But 1 expect it is beyond my mean
IL it is genuine" she said looking a
the diamond longingly. However,
am going to ask him to put it aside fo
awhile, anyhow, wouldn't your
81 certainly should If l wanted I
match the one you have"
} Turning to the owner of the gen
! whose stony eyes were riveted on ht
) face, Mrs. Waters said graciously:
IF you will lay it aside for me
: few days"
Keep it yourself, madam" he II
terrupted. hastily; keep it until I cs