The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-07-31
THE FACE IN :
THE WATCH ;
BY Nancy Vincent
McClelIand
Copyright, 1908, by d. S. Richardson
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tremendously and some papers
on his desk blew out of place, but his
face relaxed a little when he saw that
it was only Lalite.
Father" she exclaimed in an anx-
ious voice, what do you think has
happened? I've lost my watchv'
"Ah!" said the judge quietly. "Have
you, my dear? What sort Of watch
was it?"
"Why, father" she said, "you ought
to know. You gave it to me yourself
for my birthday"
ITO be sure, to be sure; so l did,"
answered the judge, smiling. Il had
forgotten about that. You see, you
took me somewhat by surprise"
II did rush in rather like whirl-
wind in petticoats, didn't I?' confessed
Lalite penitently. "Please forgive me,
but l 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 l 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 | thought we'd better be turning
toward home and started to see what
time it 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 it had dropped in there, but
he said they hadn't seen it. I was aw-
fully fond of that little watch, IA
ther," the girl finished.
lets see" said the judge, drawing
a sheet of paper toward him. 1T was
a small, plain gold one, wasn't it, La
lite?"
with my monogram on it"
with your monogram on it. And 1
think l have the number of it in my
old diary"
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
taken away her mother.
Here it is" he read in a murmur.
Feb ., gave Lalite her watch. Jan.
so, %, 81, 2G' How thoughtless of me,
Laltc. l didn't keep the number after
all. Never mind. The monogram
ought to be sufficient to trace it. Now
Lalite, in case it's been lost We'll ad=
vertise it, 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 a few lines quickly, inter
rupting himself to ask, "No other
marks of identification about it any
where, were there, daughter?"
The girl flushed deeply and went
around behind his chair.
There We're 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, fatherF"
asked Lalite.
ooh, dents or scratches or other
marks" he answered carelessly.
Lalite laughed aloud, almost with re-
lief, it seemed.
Daddy, DEAR" she said, 81 haven't
bitten or scratched or bumped my
things since 1 was q baby. No; the
| little watch has no sears ON it, At
least" she added wistfully, 'it didn't
| have any when had it last"
There, 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 off right away,
! and them
Il 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, Il want to see him myself"
Daughter" demonstrated the judge
one morning as she helped him into
his fur lined coat, sit isn't worth while
to lose your color and your watch too
! I'll 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. 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 heart" 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 ha6
been sent. AS If there was ever re
quest of Lalite's which Howard Wash
burn had not promptly honored al
sight! More than that, he had tried Ii
a dozen other ways to trace Lalite's
lost property. lie gave them full ac
count of his efforts as they drank theil
after dinner coffee that evening in thu