Evening star., 1903-07-01

boys scampered away as If mad. shouting
in joyous echo of the boy al their head:
It's to be chicken, heaping plates of ice
cream and sponge cake
By which token she knew that the ring
had been found
When they brought this ring to me 1
would net have exchanged places with any
man onesarth. As Jimmy herself was curl
Gus enough to stroll along about this time
l held 1t out where we both could see it and
draw our conclusions.
1twas plain gold circlet set with single
small ruby. 1t was cut through and twisted
out of shape just as / had anticipated;
and as / examined it / wondered what part
1t had played and was yet destined to play
In the drama Of Veronica Jeffrey's mysteri-
Gus life and still more mysterious death.
That it was 4 factor of some Importance,
arguing some early schoolgirl love, 1 could
but gather from the fact that its removal
from her finger was effected in secrecy and
under circumstances Of such pressing haste.
How could l learn the story of that ring
and the possible connection between 1t anI
Mr. JenreyS prOfessed jealousy of his wife
and the disappointing honeymoon which
had followed their marriage? That this
feeling on his part had antedated the am
bassador's ball no one could question: but
that it had started far back as the we'd
ding day was a new idea to me- and one
which suggested many possibilities Could
this idea be established, and, If so, how?
But one avenue of inquiry offered itself.
The waiter who had been spirited away 50
curiously Immediately after the wedding,
might be able to give some information
on this interesting point. He had been the
medium of the messages which had passed
between her and Mr.. Jeffrey just prior to
the ceremony. afteTward he had been seen
talking earnestly to that gentleman and
later with her. Certainly. it would add TO
our understanding OF the situation to know
what reply she had sent to the peremptory
nd nadn IA- Nrsff faal
ume-an Understanding so desirable that
the very prospect of it was almost enough
TO warrant journey to Tampa Yet, say
that the results were disappointing. how
much time lost and what sum of money
I felt the need of advice in this crisis. yet
hesitated to ask it. My cursed pride and
my no less cursed jealousy of Duf bin stood
very much in my way at this tims.
week had now passed since the in
quest, and, while Miss Tuttle still remained
at liberty, 1t was a circumscribed liberty
which must have been very CALLING to one
of her temperament and habits. She rode
and she walked, but she entered no house
unattended nor was she allowed any COM
munication with Mr.. Jeffrey. Nevertheless
she saw him, or at least gave him the OPP
portunfty of seeing her. Each day at .
o'clock she rode through K street, and the
detective who watched Mr.. Jeffrey's house
said that she never passed 1t without turn
ing her face to the second-story window,
where he invariably stood. No signs passed
between them: indeed, they scarcely nod
ded; but her face. she lifted 1T to meet
his eye. showed 50 marked a serenity and
was SO altogether beautiful that this same
detective had a desire to see IL IL MAIN
tained like characteristics when she was
not within reach OF her brother-fn-law.
Accordingly, the next day he delegated his
place to another and took his stand farther
down the street Alas! 1t was not the same
woman's face he saw. but far different
and sadder one. She wore that look OF
courage and brave hope only In passing
Mr.. Jeffreys house. Was II simply an ex-
preston of her secret devotion to him or
the signal of some compact which had been
entered into between them?
Whichever 1t was. It touched my heart,
even in his description of 1t. After advising
with jimmy / approached the superintendent.
to whom, without further reserve. i opened
my heart.
The next day found myself on the train
bound for Tampa, with full authority To
follow Curly Jim until found him.
CTo be continued tomorrow)