The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-11-09

pendant and wished that he had had il
ready
Who shall decide on the rights and
| wrongs in lovers quarrels? Whatever
Barclays view of the case may have
been, Mabel was firmly convinced that
ne had been in the wrong. and after
a year the conviction had grown tic
| goodly proportions. She thought the
| pretext to see her Why not say openly
that he had come for forgiveness? And
| if he had come for forgiveness. why
| that happy expression? 1t was indecent
under the circumstances. Therefore she
| coldly asked him:
| why have you Gomez"
The happy smile, which shone so I'M
seasonably on his face, broadened as he
| produced the pendant.
So he had found the pendant, and had
not come to be forgiven at ALL A little
| disappointment was but natural.
''Oh. you found the pendant?" she
said, interrogatively.
An answer was needed. He was vex-
| ed that it had, from the circumstances
| to be a falsehood-
| Yes"
THANK you so much It was most good
of you to bring it, Mr. Barrallay, al
| though his soul was in ferment, could
! thing of nothing else to say but
Not at ALL
She put the pendant carelessly upon
the table. Considering all things, his
satisfied smile, succeeded by the utter
ance of such banalities as Not at ALL"
argued a want of feeling that demand
ed resentment. She could agree now
with those who told her what kind of
creatures men were.
1T is really most odd that you should
have found it, she said. Il had for
gotten all about it."
Forgotteni How the colors of his pic
ture were being painted out. Still, an
effort>was yet to be made
but l thought gathered that you
valued it," ne stammered.
'.Why?"
We'll, you advertised for it. and I
thought''-- The hating explanation
sank exhausted
''Oh. mamma seemed so anxious
should recover it. She is at home
Would you like to see her?"
Il do not think 1 will trouble her, he
said
Miss Liddiard marked the tone of dis
appointment and the absence now of
that happy, self-satisfied smile, and be-
gan to feel little remorse for her
mark She remembered also that her
mother had nothing to do with the
ward whatever, and so she paused. Pos
sibly he might have something else to
say, and just possibly he might find
willing ear.
Unfortunately the wounded Rarallay
took the pause to be Intentionally en-
barrassing-a signal to end an undesired
interview; so, mastering nonchalant
air. he said
Il merely came to return the pend
anti
Miss Iiddiard naturally answered:
Then l must not keep you. Perhaps
you have appointments"
Barallay muttered something gloomily
about going y-abroad-somewhere
anywhere, took up his gloves and
said:
Goodby,''' said Miss Liddiard, chilly.
1T keeps fine.
But cold for the time of year. Good
by"
Slowly down the stairs and out of the
front door went Mr. Barallay with his
heart in his boots, and his eyes on the
ground, and paused at the foot of the
steps undecided which was the neaA st
way to the devil. 1t was then that u
hand was clapped upon his shoulder,and
he looked round and perceived the
phlegmatic person he had seen from the
window and an attendant policeman
What the dickens do you want?" he
asked angrily.
Gently, gently" said the man, en-
phasizing the pressure of his massive
hand, best to come quiet.
What on earth do you mean?" said
THE matter of that pendant" said the
large man, with the air of setting all
uneasiness at rest.
What has the pendant got to do with
your fumed Barallay.
Don't argue. Don't argue" said the
would you like a cab?'
Look here said Barallay curling
his intense desire for combat. They
know me al that house Ring the bell
and ask them. who 1 am.
Know you. do they? Constable, ring
the bell"
The bell was rung and they waited.
Did you get your reward?" insinu-
ated the large man.
sponded Barailay. modify, and the
fOOtTnan opened the door.
who am I?'' asked Barallay.
The footman was too much aston
ished at the sight of a constable and
another, whose clothes were the clothes
of Philistia but whose boots We're the
answer.
"Who is he?" demanded the large
man.
why, it's Mr. Barallay, and he used
to be- responded the footman.
Yes. yes" broke in Barallay, hur-
troubles blurted from the housetops-
And this afternoon he come with the
pendant" volunteered the foOtInan.
Barallay wished the pendant at the
bottom of the sea.
For heavens sake don't let's stand
at the front door. There'll be a crowd.
Take us into the library" he said.
Deep as was the conviction of the
large man that the person who brought
back the pendant for the reward must
be thief, or his guilty receiver. some
vague doubts connected with Bar
allay's clothes and his knowledge Of
the interior of a house in Lowndes
Square, wormed themselves into his
mind as he, with the policeman,
WV MI