The Washington herald., 1907-09-02


bitterly. as he gazed at the little gold
circle in his big brown palm. The dia
mond seemed TO twinkle at hinl "all is
over" as he lifted his glance TO the
mutinOus. fascinating little figure before
him.
''Given-one unreasonable woman,
lover who refused 70 be a doormat, en-
gagement at an end; man is politely re
quested to make himself scarce, and
he added in sarcastic tones-"there
doesn't seem 10 be anything else left for
him to do"
The girl with the gentian-blue eyes
sm0othed the love locks that would es-
cape, and settled her back comb firmly
as she replied succinctly. you are self
fish,"
'Selhshg' he snapped. you know
that Jack Is in love with you"
''Nonsense!' answered Elsa. forgetting
herself. and allowing a shadoS of
dimple TO appear. Here are the facts
Of the case: You are going away for a
month, and Doris has invited me to her
house party You object because she
has a good-looking a sly glance
from under the long black lashes-
brother. and expect me 90 stay at home
like a man. ! Just won't do It. she
finished emphatically.
Very we'll" said Ned, firmly, though
a white line formed around his well-cut
lips. 7 am glad 10 know what a wo-
mans love consists Of Disdainfully. yet
! longingly, he looked at the top Of Elsa's
pretty head with It's coronet braid Of soft
brown hair She was a most desirable
vision, and his heart beat fast How
could he give her up? Jealous2 Yes.
ne was But who would blame him?
The thought Of Elsa living in the same
house with fascinating Jack Denton. for
a month. was more than he could stand
In his minds eye he could see that fellow
eternaIy at her side, leaning over the
piano, and gazing devotedly into Elsa's
eyes, as she sang. while his glance con-
veyed unutterable things. floating down
the river in the stiTl cool shadows, while
Jack read his latest fad IN poets, motor
ing in his new car; confound him, De-
cidedly Ned felt that he was justified
and Elsa had no right to torture him.
you are sure that your decision is
fnal?' asked Ned, coldly.
quite" replied the girl. with a
I hnality in her tone.
Ned dropped the ring earelessly into
his pocket lifted his hat formally. as,,
turned away in silence.
| Elsa walked slowly along the rose
/ bOrdCred path toward the house.
I'm glad Of IT," she said TO herself
defantly. Il won't cry" The tears
rolled down her flushed cheeks. There
/ isn't a man living worth crying for" she
/ dashed them away scornfully. 4 wonder
/ if he viii go to Denver just the same?'
/ Ned's uncle was the head OF a big man
ufacturing concern, and his dearest wish
was to let Ned step into his shoes when
/ he made good" as he phrased it. Ned
| had done well. and now had come the
| chance to prove whether he could handle
1 the big trade in the West
only a MONTH" said Ned, as he strobe
away. 'She knows just how much il
means to us-Oh! I forgot there isn't
any us now. Well! she never could
/ have cared, or she would have given in.
Ned packed his grip that night with a
/ firm determination never to come back
Is o'clock train, butt may as well see
| her once more" he said TO himself,
miserably. 1T will be the last time"
| Meanwhile, Elsa was listlessly dress
/ ing for the last dance Of the season.
/ Ned has gone, and I may as well 90
enjoy myself she soliloquized, as she
gloomily patted and pulled a princess
gown of daffodIl liberty about her dainty
figure.
Il shall not tell any one yet" she
| sighed, as she opened her jewel case, and
took out It's choicest treasure. This con-
sisted of a necklace composed of tiny
beads OF beaten gold; across the front
/ five fawless sapphires alternated with
three diamonds of purest water. The
effect Of this combination on Elsa
/ Christy throat was all that could be de-
sired.
/ AS she waited for the carriage in the
/ hall she threw back her coat and gave a
/ last glance at herself in the long mirror.
1T certainly fits she said critically. Il
wish Ned could see it"
/ A shadow darkened the glass. Ere she
could turn cold steel touched her cheek
/ and a hOarse voice said, Gimme them
stones, quick, Don't boiler, or III plug
/ YER see?' and a hairy hand fumbled
/ WIN the neck OF her wrap.
The girls Mortified gaze took in tho
! creature behind her; the dryness of her
/ throat told her that she had lost the
| power to scream even had she dared.
/ The man would certainly kill her His VII
| famous face told its own tale. She threw
Up her hands TO ward the man away. as
she gasped. "Oh, don't touch me, and
/ III give 1t to you"
/ How she hated to give up her precious
/ chain; there was no way out of IL. Their
/ only maid had retired early with the
/ toothache. Father and mother were AZ
/ the theater. and the carriage had been
/ sent for her chaperon. She was utterly
alone. Fumbling desperately with the
! clasp, she suddenly felt the floor rising
and swaying away from the burglar. She
/ tOppled to the rug In a faint.
Ere the man could stoop to the pros-
trate figure there was crash al the
/ big hall window, and Ned Sprang through
the splintered points from the piazza. A
| long reach-a scientific blow, with a big
| fellows full weight behind it. and the
4 burglar was crumpled up In the corner.
He won't come out Of that right away. -
said Ned, as he searched the man and
! pocketed his revolver.
Elsa came back to consciousness. under
a shower Of half-frightened kisses.
Darling. darlingI Did he hurt you?''
demanded Ned, as she chung desperately
/ to him.
.sNot Tuf fbosa dreadful o,-o-,s -,