Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-12-02

ed Nita. She could not explain why
she had this uncommon constrained
feeling when with this man.
Bully" he replied. May l light a
cigarette just to keep the bugs away?'
You certainly may" agreed Mia.
Il wonder if you would think me
frightfully rude" began Mr.. Hill
dredth, IF l were to ask you where
you ran against the locket you have
on your neck. Miss Norcross. It's a
perfect beauty. l have seen but one
other like it, and that belonged to my
mother"
Mia blushed and nervously twirled
the locket which hung on Il fine chain
about her neck.
why. l bought it," she finally an
swered.
YES, of course, but where"
The silence which followed was pain
full, and Hildredth continued:
You see, my mothers locket was
stolen along with lot of other Jew
elry that my valet relieved me of
about year ago, and I've spent hun
dreds of dollars and world Of time
trying to locate the stuff. What he
took of mine | don't care rap about,
but my mothers keepsakes-well, you
could understand that would be a diff
ferent thing. In my mothers locke
there is picture Of a child-a pictu.
Of me. Whom do you carry in yonr;.
Miss Norcross? z"
Hildredth waited several minutes 70
his answer Slowly the girl too; th
locket from her throat and reac.i ID il
to him.
"Open it," she almost whispa. =;
He did so and revealed the Gic.'lrc
of curly headed child of JJui SiX
and while Hildredth look"u lC:i- =
the picture the girl told ~ s,,ly -.
how she came by it.
"And isn't it absurd" - -; ~
ing. II thought you wei. - lief hat
day when l saw you An toe lice
man.
And l." said Hid, / chou 4 you
were society girl get,.r.' "xtr money
to play the races - u fortune
tellers or some eqr y Ticl. dissipa-
ton" Then, che an: hi. tone en-
tirely, he continued: ~ hat - ask the
return of this, but mother valued it
above price. But as she is now abroad
l want you to show you hold me no
i'll will by putting it back on your
throat and wearing 1t while you are at
Oak Ridge. When we part
He extended the trinket to her, and
his hand touched hers. Without argu-
ment she c!asped the fine chain once
more about her neck. Nothing was,
said 10y either but Lawrence lighted
another cigarette and bit hard.
Il think we had better join the
crowd" said Mia "or they'll be insti-
tuting searching party fer US"
The next days and for many days
after during Nitas stay ut Oak Ridge,
Lawrence liildredth found an excuse
TO run over in his motor OF TO sail over
in his boat to the Clyde lodge The
last evening of Nita's visit had come.
and she and Lawrence were once
more sitting by the waters edge
Nearly month had passed. and an
other moon had come to shed its rays
upon Oak Ridge.
Tomorrow | am going home" Mia
said, 80 | will give you back the
locket tonight. Your mother will be
home Soon too, | hear"
He took it from her with reluctant
hand
Mia" LawrenceS voice was ten
derness itself There is just one wo-
man to whom my mother would give
that locket-my wife. VIII you take
me- Mia? Take my locket and my
love? Tell me, Nita. that you love
me-"
Nita looked straight into his eyes
"Larrie, dear. l do love you, and
always Will"
He clasped the locket about her
throat again, plcdging it TO her for
life, and the kiss he received in pay
ment seemed priceless.