Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-30

"Ihe opal seTpentl The opal scTpcnti'
 he cried.
 longs to my mother prefer to pawn 1t so that I may get 1t again when I am rich"
 "Well, we'll" said Aaron abruptly and resuming his downcast looks, T shall do what can. Let me see 1t"
 He stretched out his hand and took the case. Slowly opening 1t under the gas. he inspected It's contents. Sud denly he gave n cry of alarm, and the case fell to the floor "The opal ser pent! The opal serpent!" he cried. growing purple in the face. Keep; off! Keep off.' He bent the air with his lean bands. "Oh, the opalr' md he fell face downward on the sllmy floor In 1t or a faint, but certainly unconscious.
 CHAPTER III. NY1EAR the Temple station of tbs INI Metropolitan railway is l1g7SI small garden which contains ~ certain number of fairly sized trees, round bandstand and few flower beds iptersected by asphalt paths. Here those who are engaged in various offices round about come to enjoy rus in urbes. to listen to the gay music. And lovers meet here also, so 1t was quite in keeping that Paul Beecot should walt by the bronze statues of the Herculaneum wrestlers for the coming of Sylvia.
 On the previous day he had departed hastily after committing the old man to Deborah's care. At first he had fingered to see Aaron revive. but when the unconscious man came to his senses and opened his eyes he fainted again when his gaze fell on Paul. so he left.
 It was strange that the sight of the brooch should have produced such an effect on Aaron. and his fainting con- firmed Paul's suspicious that the old man had not clean conscience. But what the serpent brooch had to do with the matter Beecot could not con- lecture.
 While be was trying to solve tho mystery a light touch on his arm made him wheel round, and he beheld Sylvia smiling at him.
 q can't stay long," said Sylvia. 'lfy father Is still III, and he wants me to return and nurse him"
 "Has he explained why he falntedY' asked Paul anxiously.
 "No: he refuses to speak on the mat ter. Why did he faint. PauiT-
 The young man looked puxzied. Upon my word I don't know hs said. @Just as I was showing him q brooch I wished to pawn he went of.-
 'what kind of broochf- asked the girl. also perplexed.
 Paul took the case out of his brcastf pocket. where 1t had been since thef' previous day. aAfy mother sent It tdE me" he explained You ses. shf' guesses that am hard up. and. thank4' 10 my father. she can't send me moueyt q This piece of jewelry she has had for many years. but as 1t ls rather old fashioned she never wears lt So she sent 1t to me. hoping that I might gst k10 CT 70 on lt A friend of mine vish- ed to buy it, but I was anxious to set it back agnin % that might return t to my mother. Therefore I fhoneht your father might iend me money ca it-
 Sylvia examined the hrOoch with great attention 1t was evidently of Indian vorkmanship. dellcateiy chsssd and thickiy set with jewels. The ser- pent which was apparently wrigxiinF across the stout eoid pin of tbs hrooch. had ifs broad back studded wifh opslz. inrEe ia the center of ths bodT and snaH st bead and tall Tness vsre ct round with tiny dlsnoodz. aud tts bead uas of chased god. with a ruty fo1sue. Sylvia admired ths uorkn<n- ship snd fbe kvtis snd tn-z<i fts hropch oser- On tns f1t <-scu<k rod unferns1fh s>< fcu,f e. ItifzsI -n- tzstzzsf E;1 q RlA zzlz zzz 1zzxH