The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-25

firmed Paul's suspicious that the old
man had not a clean conscience But
what the serpent brooch had to do
with the matter Beecot could not con-
lecture
While he was trying to solve the
mystery light touch on his arm made
him wheel round. and he beheld Sylvia
smiling at him.
II can't stay long," said Sylvia. my
father is still i'll. and he wants me to
return and nurse him"
HAS he explained why be faintedY
asked Paul anxiously.
mo; he refuses to speak on the mat
ter Why did be faint, Paul?"
The young man looked puzzled
Upon my word I don't know" he
said Just as I was showing him
brooch l wished to pawn he went of"
What kind of a brooch?" asked the
girl, also perplexed
Paul took the case out of his breast
pocket, where it had been since the
previous day. MY mother sent it to
me- he explained You see, she
guesses that l am hard up, and. thanks
to my father, she can't send me money
This piece of jewelry she has had for
many years, but as it Is rather old
fashioned she never wears IT. So she
sent it TO me. hoping that l might get
flo or so on it. A friend of mine wish
ed to buy 1t, but | was anxious to get
it back again so that might return it
- gTbaraFora I
your father might lend me money on
it,"
Sylvia examined the brooch with
great attention. It was evidently Of
Indian work manship, deicately chased
and thickly set with jewels. The ser
pent which was apparently wriggling
across the stout gold pin of the brooch.
had its broad back studded with opals.
large in the center of the body and
small at head and tail. These were
set round with tiny diamonds, and the
head was Of chased gold. with ruby
tongue Sylvia admired the workman
ship and the jewels and turned the
brooch over On the fat smooth gold
underneath she found the initial "R I"
scratched with pin. This she showed
to Paul. II expect your mother made
this mark TO identify the brooch" she
said.
MY mothers name is Anne" re-
piled Paul, looking more puzzled than
ever-"Anne Beecot. Why should she
mark this with an initial which has
nothing to do with her name"
4oH
Sylvia
Paul snapped the case to and replac-
ed it in his pocket. Perhaps it is
he said. However. when l next write
to my mother I'll ask her where she
got the brooch. She has bad it for
many years." be added musingly. "for
/ remember playing with it when a
small boy"
Don't tell your mother that my IA
Their tainted"
"Why not? Does it matter?''
Sylvia folded her slender hands and
looked straight in front of her For
some time they had been seated on a
bench in q retired part of the gardens,
and the laughter of playing children.
lu0 uuSIC vi lIG DdnU pa AAA TIC 14CA
REST airs from the last musical come
dy, came family to their ears. Il think
1t does natter said the girl seriously
For some reason my father wants to
keep himself as quiet as possible. He
talks of going away"
Going away? Oh, Sylvia. and you
never told me-"
He only spoke of going away when
l came to see how he was this morn
ing" she replied Il wonder If his
fainting has anything to do with this
determination. He never talked of go
ing away before.
Paul wondered also. 1t seemed
strange that after so unusual an event
the old man should turn restless and
wish to leave a place where he had
lived for over twenty years. I'll come
and have an explanation" said Pau
after pause.
Il think that will be best. dear. Fa
Their said that he would like to see yor
again and told Bart to bring you in II
he saw you"
'I'n call today-this afternoon. ant
perhaps your father will explain. AnC
now. Sylvia. that is enough about 9th
err people and other things. Let u:
talk of ourselves"
Sylvia turned her face with a fonC
smile She was a delicate and daint!
little lady. with large gray eyes anC
soft brown hair. Her complexion wa
| transparent. and she had little color il
her cheeks With her oval face, he
thin nose and charming mouth sh,
looked very pretty and sweet. But I
was her expression that Paul loved
That was a trife sad. but when sh,
smiled her looks changed as an over
cast sky changes when the sun burst
through the clouds. Her figure was per
feet, her hands and feet showed mark
of breeding. and. although her gra.
dress was as demure as any worn by
! Quakeress. she looked bright and mer
~ in the sunshine OF her lovers pres
I enca Fvarvtbinc ahouf Sylvia va