The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-06
THE COLONEL'S BRACELET.

vas a cndnueller OF Dresden CHINA, ana
tne cancelabra and dinner service
matched its roses and lilies. Against
me closed door were massed some
oraperies embroidered in gold thread
and seed pearls. and from one end Of
the side wall to the other ran a great
carved buffet, loaded with cut glass and
gold plate
The master of all this splendor sat at
the head OF the table-a thin dyspeptic.
His wife stout and fiorid and folly
faced him. On her right was the guest
Of hOnOr-a man Of As. with an order
In his buttonhole. On her left sat d
young officer OF some Is years. keen Of
face. with bright. interesting eyes. Next
to him was girl of most unusual
beauty, the daughter of the house
Facing her was a woman who was at
once much older and of much greater
beauty.
These six people were the nucleus Of
house party. which was gathering 10
celebrate the betrothal OF the girl and
the man of 45. Incidentally, the men
or the party would destroy many hun
dreds OF beautiful crimson and red
brown birds which were then whirring
through the bushes of the mighty game
preserve five miles away, prepare tory
70 their nightly slumbers.
To the man with the order pheasants
would be tame sport, since he was used
TO hunting even men themselves, and
was renowned for his imperial success
as such a sportsman. So great a hunt
er was he that the girl who was to be
his, and whose eyes riValed any faWn'S
both for gentleness and for beauty, was
quite overcome by the honor which he
paid her by his choosing, and adored
him with an alteration at which he him
self almost marVeled.
She looked toward him continually,
and each love-bearing glance was noted
by the great. starry-blue eyes of the
woman who faced her. There was
curious undertone in that waylaying
md err1f1 9 NJ rrRh OK -rrr
ance curved the exquisite mouth of the
locker that one was forced to wonder,
and wonder, and wonder again.
And when the glances of these two
women crossed there was third glance
that mingled with them perpetually,
and that one few forth from the eyes
of the colonel. and on his face there
settled an expression. the assurance of
beautys mouth.
Do YOU think that all this was hidden
from the younger man Not al all He
was the colonefs friend, and he saw as
eyes except the thin father and the
stout mother.
After dinner the party walked in the
garden, and the lovers strolled down
toward the waters edge
How did you come to know the bar
onessT the lover asked. Il knew her
at Trieste, on the Adriatic, some years
ago. l had quite forgotten her until l
met ner mere tonight. When did you
meet her2"
I'VE met in Nice" said the girl. rs
she not charming-delightful 1 never
tire OF her I was so happy when she
could be with us this month"
She is not a good friend" said the
man. Il ought to tell you that truth
about her. She is insincere and treach-
erous. I have reason to know"
The girl turned her face up toward
him in the moonlight.
"A nd what har Oh
the=2"
mo harm" he said, IF you are fore
warned! Much if you are not. No
harm If you do not love mel Much if
'Ohr she exclaimed, clasping her two
hands about his arm. Il think you do
not know how much / love you, OF you
would not say that"
on the contrary" he said THE
more you love me, the easier the seeds
or distrust take root. Indifference is
careless and forgets; love remembers
foreverW
The girl laid her face against his arm
as they stood looking across the bay
You shall see" she murmured
rejoined
Then they returned to the others;
and because the wind from the water
was blowing chill. with the fall of night
they all went indoors shortly after.
The baroness drew Enid down beside
utE Wnlle the gentlemen went to NAV
billiards, and they fell into a CONVEX
satiOn of condolences
What bracelet you have there, my
dear, she said presently, touching the
coil on the girls wrist. L did not sup
pose that two such had ever been
found"
You have one like it?" Enid asked.
had one like it once" she replied
smiling; but I gave it back. There was
q story with it you know, and 1 was to
be married. 1 thought it wiser to re-
turn it to its giver"
Mine locks with a secret spring" the
girl said. Il don't know where it is.
The colonel fastened it upon NV wrist
yesterday. It was one Of my betrothal
gifts" 0'''''A
Mine had a secret spring. too" the
baroness said. and engraved within ran
verse about true heart and eternity -
asked INT s"i
I had it filed off. and then very
quickly saw how 1t fastened. You must
Will Slide within the wreath"
oh Enid cried sharply, why did
you tell me that? l had no desire to
know where the spring was. 1 should
never wish to unclasp it."
No, 1 suppose not" said the baron
ess, touching the jewel lightly with her
dainty fingers. But YOU are going IN
marry the giver Of your gift, not the
siot true, 1 discovered"
The girl laughed. untroubled
i like IT so much" she said ut is
so exquisite, so quaint, and so an
tique"
Very antique" the baroness reioined
You know. do you not. that it is out
Of some Egyptian tomb?"
How strange that there should be
twoi' Enid exclaimed
The baroness smiled again.
80 I remarked at first" she said
And then she added. laughing: DO
ask the colonel where he bought this
one"
IL
Enid started violently. Her perfect
faith had up to that instant absolutely
blinded her to the meaning underlying
her companions speech. Now she under
stood.
All, to be sure!' she exclaimed, her