The Red Cloud chief., 1901-05-24
r JUDGE HoLLIsTER looked UP

eNN, 'IF
with a frownof annoyance when
(S his study door opened uncere-
m%oniously and some papers on
ais desk blew out of place. But his
face relaxed Il little when he saw that
1t was only Lalite.
"Fatherl" she exclaimed In an anx-
lous voice, what do you think has
happened? I've lost my watch"
"Ah" said the Judge quietly. "Have
you. my dear? What sort of watch
was IT."
Lalite turned OF him with u ripple Of
laughter.
why. father" she said, you ought
to know. You gave II to Inc yourself
for my birthday"
"TO be sure. TO be sure. SO | did" an
swered the Judge smiling. II had for.
gotten about that. You see. you took
me somewhat by surprise"
IL did rush in rather like a whirl.
wind In petticoats, didn't II" confessed
Lalite penitently. "Please forgive me.
but l was 80 worried that l cOuldn t
think Of anything else but getting
here. What shall do about 1t,
Daddy?"
How did 1t happcn?" asked the
Judge.
II was out walking" she said, with
Howard Washburn, and when we left
the house l wore my watch on this
chain over my jacket. II was tucked
In here. We went into a florists to get
some ~vi0lets. and when we came out I
thought we'd better be turning toward
home, and started to see what time II
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 1t. I 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 1t, La
lite?"
with my monogram on It,"
with your monogram on 1t. Aud
think l have the number of it In my
old diary"
The methOdical man hunted out hi,
book OF the previous year. He never
forgot the date Of his daughters birth
day. 1t vas n day of double memories
to him. 1t had given him Lalite and
taken away her mother In the sam,
breath.
Here 1t Is" he read In a murmur
February second. Gave Lalite hel
watchT January 3O-2Sth, 9th, 28th
How th%Oughtless OF me, Lalite! l die
not keep the number, after all. Never
mind; 1t was "A Tiffany watch and tn,
monogram ought to he sufficient Il
trace II. Now, Lalite, in case it's beer
lost Wen advertise IL, and in ease IT,,
been stolen Wen quietly notify the po
lice bureau to send word To all tn,
pawnshops and the big jewelers."
He wrote n few lines quickly, inter
rupting himself to ask, NO othe'
marks of Identification about II any
where. We're there. daughter?"
The girl flushed deeply, and wen
around behind his chair to look owe
his shoulder.
There was the monogram and tn
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 L.alite.
"Oh, dents or scratches or othe
marks" he answered carelessly.
Lalite laughed aloud, almost with re
lief, 1t seemed.
Daddy, dear" she said, II haven
bitten or scratched or bumped III
things since l was a baby. No, the Iii
tie watch has no sears on II. At least,
she added. wistfully, 'it didn't hav
any when 1t was last IN my hands"
There. there" said the Judge, pa
ting her face gently. Il hope YOU
get it back again all safe ana SCUM,
I'll send these messages of right AVA
and then"
Il forgot" said Lalite as he reache
for the bell, Howard Is down stail
10 ,e whether there Is anything
can do about It. He'll lead these (,
me. Do let him! For he cells almoi
as sorry as | do, father"
"Oh, does heG" said the Judge.
"Yes, indeed" answered lite. "Yc
see, If he hadn't asked me u, 20 wal
ing, and II l hadn't gone, md IL
hadn't insisted upon gettin me tho
v%iolets, and II l hadn worn II
watch"