The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-18
PeneIOpe'S TranSgreSSiOn.

The night was SO warm. and I was
so lonelyi Everybody had gone away
and left me. and as sat in the draw
ing room window, looking Up and down
the hot, dusty street. [ thought how
foolish had been not to go toe. Still.
1t was by my own wish that had re-
manned behind. I did not care for the
hustle and annoyanceS of those prelim-
tnary trips to Newport, with the house
IN disorder and the servants at war
with themselves and everybody else
So I insisted on remaining behind this
time. With two maids in the house,
where could the harm be?
A single Jet of gas in the hail. turned
low threw faint Pickering light
through the arch from which the DOR
there's had been removed. The tall
chairs and sofas, ghostly in their
shrouds of yellow linen, were weird
and uncanny.
In an abstract sort of way. had no.
ticed man sauntering slowly up and
down on the opposite side of the street
paid little heed to him, as I thought
he was a servant airing dog. Pres
entity, however, he crossed over and
coming straight to my window, said:
You seem to be lonely"
Sr!' I exclaimed, haughtily.
He laughed The laugh Jared on my
nerves, though I could not help noting
its soft intonation.
You do not know me?" he said,
pleasantly.
L e.
"ObHge me by continuing your prone
made"
You see there I have the advantage
or you-Miss Penelope Pendleton," he
continued, ignoring my demand
SO far you have; but it is an advant-
age you had better not pursue"
1 met you al Mrs. PonSonby Elliott's
on the evening of the goth of December
peter than yours" Again the laugh
that puzzled and fascinated me against
my inclination He went on: You re-
member, you were in pale blue, and
admired the diamond star you wore in
your hair"
Mrs. Ponsonby Elliotts-the goth of
December! Yes, was there. I was
mond star. the curious Indian star. that
Uncle Jack gave me. But it was so
generally admired that to single out an
individual from the crowd that had paid
tribute to its sparkle was impossible
I do not recall you at all, ;" 1 said.
mo matter" he laughed; IT was
merely srolling to get the air. You see,
I am left in town and alone for the mo-
ment, ana seeing you in the window, I
crossed over to say good night
He turned away as if to go.
Why not give me the pleasure of
knowing the principal of this amusing.
encounter?" said I, weakening.
"Oh, that would spoil everything.
Good night
Was it the devil? Or was it merely
the eternal eontrariness of woman? I
called him back.
Don't you think this is rather fool
ish, - asked, mot to tell me who you
why not let me come in and talk it
over2 Then you may probably solve
the mystery for yourself"
hesitatsd. And yet, what harm
could possibly come of it? Besides, the
servants were within call, and with
just little final tremor I said:
'Oh. very Welf-if Won want IN
He ran up the steps, and I opened
the front door In the surer light of
The gas Jet in the hall l saw that he
was quite handsome and that his
clothes were smart. We chatted on
generalities. Presently he said:
SO you doubted that I knew your"
I still wonder
ct can describe the occasion on
which we met and exactly what Won
wore. and the diamond-its extraor-
binary size and oddness struck me-
Yes. That oddness has struck many
persons, but never before has it proved
enough to hang to it so extraordinary
an acquaintance.
II have never seen you wear it since
and yet have always looked for it.
Its unusualnesS so fascinated me-"
mo, I seldom wear it,
We'll, de SO at the Grigsbys' dinner
dance at Larchmont should like to
see it again.
My fears were completely claimed. If
he was to be at the Grigsbys he was
surely some one I had met and for
gotten. So said, laughingly, at which
he laughed too, the musical ripple that
felt quite familiar with now:
You needn't wait so long; you may
see it now"
I put my hand in my bosom, drew it
out and handed it to him.
He held it between his fingers and
walked to the door, examining it with
the critical eye of a connoisseur.
Beautiful, isn't it?' he said, hand
ing it back to me. Then, looking to-
ward-the open grand piano, he re-
marked:
do you play7"
"A little" replied. admiring the
Jewel myself
do you know Grieg's Scandinavian
wedding dancer
I went to the piano, and, instead of
putting my star back on the chain
round my neck, 7 laid Ii on the candle
rest and lighted the candles at the 9TH
er side. Then drew off my rings and
laid them beside the star-I never play
with them on. The rays of light struck
them, and they gave out flashing
sparks of variegated light. He leaned
over the music, turning the pages as
! played the fascinating melody softly.
We came to the end.
That was delightful. Many thanks, -
he said, and, drawing back a step or
two he picked up my jewels.
Pretty baubles, aren't they2"
He LAUGHED. but this time the Ts1yyzfc