Evening times-Republican., 1903-12-30
i Copyright. 1908, bv A. S. Rtchardson
4n+qs.a+ss4ts.s.s.s.ss I. I. ssas-a+a+H+H+a

the house / wore my watch on this
chain over my jacket. 1t was tucked
in here. We went into florists to
get some violets, and when we came
out I thought we'd better be turning
toward home and started to see what
time 1t 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. was aw-
fully fond of that little watch. IA
ther," the girl finished.
/ Lets see," said the Judge, drawing
sheet Of paper toward him. ut was
/, small, plain gold one, wasn't 1t, La
/ lite?"
! with my monogram on It,"
with your monogram on it. And
think l have the number Of it in my
old diary"
i The methodical man hunted out his
book Of the previous year. He never
forgot the date of his daughters birth
day. 1t was day Of double memories
to him. 1t had given him Lalite and
I taken away her mother.
Here 1t is" he read in murmur.
/ Feb. 2. gave Latte her watch. Jan.
30. %. q, 49, How thoughtless Of me.
Lalite! didn't keep the number after
all. Never mind. The monogram
ought to be suficient to trace 1t. Now
Lalite, In case it's been lost we'll ad-
vertise 1t, and in case it's been stolen
we'll quietly notify the police bureau
! to send word to all the pawn shops and
the big jewelers.
He wrote few lines quickly, inter
rupting himself to ask. NO other
marks Of Identification about 1t any
where, were there, daughter"
The girl flushed deeply and went
around behind his chair.
"There were the monogram and the
make and the plain gold case" she re-
peated, with some embarrassment.
"Yes, yes; I've put them down al
ready" he said. little testify.
"What else could there be, fatherY
asked Latte.
"Oh. dents or scratches or other
marks" he answered carelessly.
Lalite laughed aloud, almost with re-
lief, It seemed.
Daddy, dear" she said, II haven't
bitten or scratched or bumped my
things since l was baby. No: the
little watch has no scars on it. At
least" she added wfstfully. ut didn't
have any when had It last
"There, there" said the judge. pat
ting her face gently. II hope you'll
get 1t back again all snfe and sound.
I'll send these messages OF right away,
and them
II forgot" said Lalite as he reached
for the bell Howard Is waiting
downstairs to see whether there is
anything he can do about It. He'll send
these for me. Do let him, for he feels
almost as sorry as do. father"
For three days afterward Lalite was
on tiptoe with nervous expectancy.
She vibrated between the windows and
the stairs. She watched the street in
tently and jumped at each ring OF the
door bell. She refused to leave the
house for any length Of time.
"If some one brings back my watch"
she said, II want to see him myself"
Daughter" demonstrated the judge
one morning as she helped him into
his fur lined coat, ''it isn't worth while
to lose your color and your watch too.
I'll get you another timepiece IL this
one doesn't turn up. Don't worry So"
"But, father" said Lalite hesitating-
IL, "you don't know She changed
her mind. II wonder whether How
ard really sent those messages" she
said.
"I'll stop in his Office on the way
down and ask him." replied the judge
cheerily. I'VE might have him up to
dinner tonight, eh, Lalite? Think he'd
like to Gomez
Maybe" said Lalite indifferently.
"Bless her sweet hearth said the
Judge to himself as he went down the
steps. "She's like her mother In the
way she grows attached to her little
personal possessions"
OF course the various messages had
been sent AS il there was ever re-
quest Of Lalite's which Howard Wash
burn had not promptly honored at
sight! More than that. he had tried in
dozen other ways to trace Lalite's
lost property. He gave them full ac-
count Of his efforts as they drank their
after dinner coffee that evening in the
library, talking with his eyes on La
lite's face and thrilling with the quick,
grateful glances she gave him.
"a boy from Pennock's to see Judge
Hollister," announced servant in the
midst of their conversation.
"Pennock's! instantly exclaimed La
lite. "That's the florists where
"Show him up here. said the judge: