Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1904-01-28

Enc way she grows ass3G1C0 - aCk
little personal possessions.
OF course the various messages
had been sent. As ifthere was ever
q request Of Lalite's which Howard
Washburn had not promptly honor
ed at sight, More than that, no had
tried in dozen other ways 20 trace
LAlite's lost property. He gave
them full account OF his efforts as
they drank their after dinner coffee
that evening i'm the library. talking
with his eyes on LAlite's face and
thrilling with the quick. grateful
glance she gave him.
"A boy from Pennock's TO see
Judge Hollister, announced a SER
want in the midst OF their CONVERSE
ton.
"Pennock' 3 |" instantly exclaimed
Lalite. "That's the florists where
SHOW him mp here" said the
Judge. 'Lalite. perhaps he brings
you good luck.
Rather have my watch, thank
you, sir" retorted the saucy maid.
A small. uniformed boy was usher
ed in and stood respectfully, cap in
hand, to address them.
To-day, sir" he said, looking at
the Judge. II was moving lot Of
empty flower baskets ct Pennocks,
and some way down In the pile |
found gold watch like the one you
advertised for"
Lalite gave an exclamation, in
which delight. relief and excitement
were curiously blended.
"Oh, do give 10 TO me rightaway!'
she cried, impulsively.
The boy hesitated.
'Leastways,' he corrected himself,
1T isn't exactly like the one you ad-
vertised,'
Has 1t the monogram on Il 2 ask
ed the Judge.
Yes. sir, said the boy.
Lalite was leaning forward, listen
ing breathlessly.
You don't know the number p
asked the boy.
Unfortunately, said the Judge,
Il neglected to keepit when bought
the watch. suppose | could get II
easily, but | thought the monogram
would be Identification enough.
Yes, sir, said thel boy. But
there might be two people with the
same initials. There wasn't any
thing else particular about the watch
you lostp'
No. Was there. Lalite ? asked
the Judge. i distinctly remember
your saying So
We'll, there was In the one,
found, said the boy.
IAlite got up suddenly and walked
down the long room TO one of the
deep windows. She disappeared
behind the curtains. The Judge
looked after her with o feeling of pity
for her great disappointment.
oh, boy he said, suddenly.
show me the watch you found, and
will tell you the truth about its be-
longing TO my daughter. You are
right TO be careful to make no mis-
take in returning ii, but surely my
reputation will clear me from any
suspicion of dishonesty. You know
who | am, and think you can trust
me. can't your
The little chap promptly unbutton-
ed his gray overcoat and pulled out
q small gold watch.
Judge Hollister examined the case
very closely.
1t seems TO me. he said, after
this scrutiny. that this is the watch
we are looking for. But what is
there about it that we haven't de-
scribed TO your
The boy opened the back of the
case silently.
L guess it's all right, he said.
jerking his thumb toward Howard
Washburn. 1 recognized him as
soon as came in.
'I4alite Bless my soul I exclaim-
ed Judge Hollister. He stood for q
moment or two with the watch in his
hand.-Then he walked over to the
fire place and thrust the watch fierce
~ toward his guest.
Washburn, did you know that
picture was in there p he demanded.
The young man looked at the open
case and such an expression of a.
mazement grew upon his face that
his former innocence could not be
doubted.
1t was an old likeness OF himself
that he saw uncovered before him.
he recalled with fash of memory
how, the first summer he had known
Lalite, they were together in sail
ing party, and some one had taken q
snap shot of the group. He had
kept his picture intact, though for
him there was but one face in it,
But Lalite-Lalite had cut his out,
had nut IL in her watch had carr;a7