Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-09-06
1s3Ness--s|1 N~ss-~s'3N N~ss-~aS1N~s{ a
 , WON BY A 1 BRACELET ]
By HARRIET PRESCOTT sPoFF0RD |:
l~vy~-ssNHI~-s~vir.-s-vtst
Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles.)

Superb as the play was, there was something in the audience that en- listed my attention even beyond the splendid scenes, the beautiful faces, on the boards. This was where the sol. dier sat, stiff and stately, an old mous- tache, wearing foreign orders over a threadbare coat, and having by this side a little figure whose intent coun- tenance, underneath it's somewhat shabby bonnet. reflected all the changes of the play; she leaned for ward, her chin resting upon her hand. and in so doing, revealed what was a singular incongruity of her appear ance-a bracelet, which must have been a costly antique heirloom.
 I could discover, between the acts, no one present who knew anything of these two people-it seemed impos- sible to find any means of making their acquaintance. To all disbeliev- CTS in love at first sight, am living contradiction; I dared not trust my fate to the chances of the street where I might lose all traces. One thing alone occurred to me and oc- cured again. I felt conscious that whoever lost such thing as that bracelet would use the uttermost ef- fort to regain it; and, with that. plan- ned my campaign. l forgot all about the closing tableau, but left my seat and slipped round to spot where, at her exit, I should be brushed by the garments of this bewilderng young stranger, whose name was known neither to myself nor to any of my &C., Quaintance within the four walls.
 It came at length-the tagging last scene; then the tumult of applause and of departure, and in the throng, leaning on the arm of the old soldier, she was gently moving by me. There was only this thing to do-the shade of Chesterfield will look the other way, not countenancing, not condemn ing. I set my foot on the hem of her dress, by so much impeding her prog ress, she put down her hand, with the loose coils of the bracelet falling over 1t, to lift the skirt; but ere she could collect the fallen folds, the bracelet had been adroitly slipped off her wan dering hand was hidden in my own, and she passed on.
 am not a thief do not uphold a thief-though, so far, the appearances are certainly against me. Thus the next morning I searched the columns of lost and found in the early issues. with some trepidation, be it said, lest, after all, I had done the work too well, and should have the theft on my hands-and surely enough there was the thing I sought-for who would lose an object like that and not ad- vertise it?-and the lucky finder was to apply at ' Vanderdecken Place and be handsomely rewarded. l in. tended to be handsomely rewarded,
 To proceed at once about my new business would be mistake; it would place me at too much a disadvantage; it would be possibly to miss seeing her, as a late riser, or as an early marketer: I waited till high noon, since she would doubtless then be at home in the hope of hearing from her lost treasure Meanwhile, I improved my time by a vigorous investigation of the mysteries of Vanderdecken at,,in Rochejacqulein resided there. a sol dier of the ancient regime, who had |, removed to this country under the heavy hand of the emperor's displeas- ure, had dropped the aristocratic De" of his surname. the more thoroughly to democratize himself. which was. however. an impossible thing, and with his only child supported barely respectable appearance on the rem nant of a wrecked fortune.
 A servant. who was plainly the only one, and who must have accompan- fed them in their punishment. took my card and inquiries at the door, in- forming me gratuitously. in broken speech. that mademoiselle had lost her decoration at the theater the pre- ceding night: that she so seldom went, and it was an event so cher .shed. that it was sad to have it mar red by mishap. and ushered me herewith into her beautiful presence.
 Mademoiselle Jacqueline sat before the fire. The general-it was the same old moustache-was grumbling- iy reading the Courier des Etats Unis. The young lady looked up with a heightened color aud expectant face, rising as she did 80. and returning my bow with a sweeping. old-fsshion- cd courtesy that was as irresistible as 1t was denurs-
 Not to neglect my opportunities. I made an opening for conversation by requiring a description of the lost bsuble. in order 10 identify 1t.
 'MademoiselIe Rochejacquelein." said the stiff old general. rising also. but with as much of a bow as the obelisk could have given. and using very tolerable English. lis the more anxious to regain her bracelet. as it vas an heirioom-an heirloom"
 That is.- said a voice as musical as running water, it was left me by my mother. She wore it.
 There was already a certain free friendliness in her words. although her manner vas polished and distant. as if she could tell to me the little fact she would have kept from anoth- CT. have fsncied since then that. all ,-nco-scir-slr- she rernEnized snch