The suburban citizen., 1901-05-25
= UDGE HOLLISTER looked up

with frownOf annoyance when
! G. his study door opened uncere-
moniously and some papers on
mis- desk blew out of place. But his
face relaxed little when he saw that
it was only Lalite.
Father" she exclaimed in an anx-
ious voice, what do you think has
happened? I've lost my watch"
"AhP' said the Judge quietly. "Have
you, my 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"
ITO be sure, TO be sure, so I did" an
swered the Judge smiling. 81 had for
gotten about that You see, you took
me somewhat by surprise
II did rush in rather like q whirl-
wind in petticoats, didn't I?' confessed
Lalite penitently. please forgive me,
but l was so worried that l couldn (
think of anything else but getting
here. What shall / do about it,
DaddyW
How did it happenT 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 a florists to get
some violets, and when we came out l
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 1t had
dropped in there, but he said they
hadn't seen it. l was awfully fond Of
that little watch, father the girl
finished almost tearfully.
Lets see" said the Judge, drawing
a sheet of paper toward him. 1T was
a small, plain gold one, wasn't IT,, La.
lite?
with my monogram on It,"
with your monogram on it. And
think have the number Of 1t in my
old diary"
The methodical man hunted out his
book Of the previous year. He never
forgot the date Of his daughters birth
day. 1t was a day Of double memories
to him. 1t had given him Lallte and
taken away her mother in the same
breath.
Here it is," he read in a murmur.
February second, Gave Lalite her
watchP January 3O-2Sth, 27th, 26th.
How thoughtless Of me- Lalite! l did
not keep the number, after all. Never
Ilind; 1t was a Tiffany watch and the
monogram ought to be sufficient to
trace it. Now, Lalite, in case it's been
lost well advertise it, and in case it's
been stolen Wen quietly notify the po-
lice bureau to send word to all the
pawnshops and the big jewelers.
He wrote a few lines quickly, inter-
rupting himself to ask, mo other
marks Of Identification about it any
where, were there, daughter?"
The girl flushed deeply and went
around behind his chair to look over
his shoulder
There was the monogram and the
make and the plain gold case" she re-
peated with some embarrassment.
"Yes, yes, I've put those down al
ready" he said a little testify.
What else could there be, father?"
asked Lalite.
"Oh, dents or scratches or other
marks" he answered carelessly.
Lalite laughed aloud, almost with re-
lief, it seemed.
Daddy, DEAR" she said, 81 haven't
bitten or scratched or bumped my
things since was a baby. No, the lit
tie watch has no scars on It, At least"
she added wistfully, "it didn't have
any when it was last IN my hands"
There, there" said the Judge pat
ting her face gently. 81 hope you'll
get it back again all safe and sound
I'll send these messages off right away
and then"
Il forgot" said Lallte as he reached
for the bell. Howard is down stairs
to re whether there is anything he
can do about it, He'll lend these for
me. DO let him! For he feels almost
as sorry as do, father"
"Oh, does hep said the Judge.
Eyes, indeed" answered Lalite. "You
see, If he hadn't asked me to 20 walk
ing, and If l hadn't gone, and II he
hadn't insisted upon getting me those
vlolets, and If l hadn't worn my
Watch--"