Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-09-15
THE FACE IN
THE WATCH
BY Nancy Vincent
McCIeIlaud
Copyright, 1905, bv A. s. Rtchdrdson
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JUDGE HOLLIsTER looked up
with a frown of annoyance
when his study door opened un.
tremendously and some papers
on his desk blew out Of place, but his
face relaxed little when he saw that
1t was only Lalite.
Father" she exclaimed In an anx-
iOus voice, what do you think has
happened? I've lost my watch"
"Ahw said the judge quietly. Have
you, my dear? What sort Of watch
was itT
"Why, father" she said, you ought
to know. You gave 1t to me yourself
for my birthday"
ITO be sure, to be sure; 80 l did"
answered the judge, smiling. IL had
forgotten about that. You see, you
took me somewhat by surprise"
81 did rush in rather like whirl-
wind In petticoats, didn't L" confessed
Lalite penitently. "Please forgive me-
but | was so worried that l couldn't
think of anything else but getting
here. What shall do about it?"
"How did it happen" asked the
judge.
Lalite sat down on the arm Of the
leather chair and rested her elbows on
his desk.
81 was out walking" she said, with
Howard Washburn, and when we left
the house | wore my watch on this
chain over my jacket. 1t was tucked
I'm here. We went into florists to
get some violets, and when we came
out thought we'd better he 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 ana
asked the man who waited on US
whether 1t had dropped in there. but
he said they hadn't seen it. was aw-
fully fond of that little watch, IA
ther," the girl finished.
Lets see," said the judge, drawing
q sheet Of paper toward him. III was
a small, plain gold one, wasn't It, La
litcW
with my monogram on It."
with your monogram on 1t. And
think I have the number Of 1t In my
old diary"
The methodical man hunted cut 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
taken away her mother.
Here 1t is" he read in murmur.
Feb. Q. gave Lalite her watch. Jan.
80. 2S. 27, 2G.' How thoughtless OF me,
Lalite! didn't keep the number after
all. Never mind. The monogram
ought to be sufficient to trace 1t. Now
Lalite, In case it's been lost We'll ad-
yertise It. and in case it's been stolen
we'll quietly notify the police bureau
to send word to all the pawn shops ana
the big jewelers."
He wrote few lines quickly. inter
rupting himself to ask, mo other
marks Of Identification about 1t any
where, were there, daughterT
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.
hn fn
asked Lalite.
"Oh, dents or scratches or other
marks" he answered carclessly.
Lalite laughed aloud, almost with re-
lief, it seemed.
Daddy, DEAR" she said, II haven't
bitten or scratched or bumped my
things since | was baby. No; the
little watch has no scars on It, At
least" she added wistfully, 1T didn't
have any when had 1t last"
"Thcre, there" said the judge. pat
ting her face gently. Il hope you'll
get it back again all safe and sound.
I'll send these messages of right away.
and them
81 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. 81 want to see him myself"
Daughter" demonstrated the judge
one morning as she helped him into
his fur lined coat. 1T isn't worth while
to lose your color and your watch too.
III get you another timepiece If this
one doesn't turn up. Don't worry so."
"But. father" said Lalite hesitating-
ly "you don't know She changed
her mind 81 wonder whether How
ard really sent those messages" she
| said
"Ill stop In his Office on the way
down and ask him." replied the judge
checr!ly. wv" might have him up to
dinner tonight, oh. Lalite? Think he'd
ike to corl"?"
"A;avbo." said I.alitn indifferently.