The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-07-02
you dOn,t know the number?o asked

the 10Y.
Unfortunately" said the Judge, at
neglected TO keep Il when bought the
watch. l suppose by sending to Tiff
fany L could get ii very easy, but 1
thought the monogram would be iden-
tification enough"
Yes, SIR said the boy. But there
might be two people with the same ini-
tlals. There wasn't anything else par
ticular about the watch you lost?" he
persisted curiously.
mo; was there. Lalite?" asked the
Judge. II distinctly remember your
saying So"
We'll, there was in the one I found"
said the boy.
Lalite got up suddenly and walked
down the long room to one of the deep
windows. She disappeared between
the curtains. The Judge looked after
her with feeling of pity for her dis
appointment.
"Oh, boy" he said suddenly, "show
me the watch you found and l will tell
you the truth about its belonging to
us. You are right to be careful and
make no mistakes in returning 1t. but
surely my reputation will clear me
from any suspicion of dishonesty. You
know who l am, and 1 think YOU can
trust me, can't you?"
The little chap promptly unbuttoned
his gray overcoat and pulled out a
small watch.
Yes, sir" he said. Here it is. sir"
Judge Hollister examined the case
closely.
1t seems to me-" he said after this
scrutiny, that this is the watch we
are looking for. But what is there
about it that we haven't described to
you?'
The boy opened the back of the case
silently
Il guess it's all right" he said, jerk
ing his thumb toward Washburn. II
recognized him as soon as l come in"
"Lalite! Bless my soulp' said Judge
HOLSTER. He stood n moment with
the watch in his hand, then he walked
over to the fireplace and thrust II al
most fiercely toward his guest.
"Washburn. did you know that pic
ture was in there?" he demanded.
The young man looked at the open
case, and such an expression of amaze,
ment grew upon his face that his for
mer innocence could not be doubted.
1t was an oldlikeness Of himself that
he saw uncovered before him. He re-
called with fash of memory how, the
first summer he had known Lalite.
they were together in a sailing party
and some one had taken a snapshot of
the group. He had kept his picture in
tact, though for him there was but one
face in it. But Lalite-Lalite had cut
his out! Had put it in her watch! Had
carried it about thus without his
knowledge while he was starving for
one sign of hope and encouragement
from her!
My photograph" he said slowly,
staring at the Judge in n daze of as
constituent. What does it mean"
"Humph" said the old man with n
twinkle in his eye and glance toward
the curtained window at the other end
of the room. II should think it was
about time you found out"'
He went back to the florists boy.
IF you'll come with me to my
study" he said, IN give you your re-
ward. The watch belongs to my
daughter"
There was an abashed heap of femin-
Unity on the window seat behind the
heavy curtains with its face buried
deep in the cushions, so deep that
nothing but the tip of one pink ear
showed for kissing place. Little by
little and very gently Howard disin-
tered the rest of Lalite's big blush.
Sweetheart" he whispered. IF I
had only guessed 1t before. Think of
the time you have made me wastew-