The Elbert County tribune., 1908-12-17

she explained for my benefit. s.and -
got to know each other very wsiI. =
people do ON shipboard. Where Il
Mrs. Graham, and may l not 70 ana
see her this morning.
Mr. Graham hesitated perceptfbly.
but settled the question by holding
out my hands for the letters and an
nouncing tsat meant to take a short
cut to the cottage, and would see them
again soon.
AS usual. the girls were on the
verands. and l dropped the mail in
Elizabeth's lap and flung myself ex-
haustedly into the hammock.
Il don't like paying visits" l re-
marked. and just hate taking walks
with other peoples husbands"
"Oh, l don't know" replied Gabri-
elle- Il rather like married men-they
are SO safe. They never suspect you
Of designs on them If you are pleasant,
you know. and"
Why" interrupted Elizabeth, who
had been turning over the mail,
what's this? What have you been
buying, Elise? I'm going to look
at It,"
She held In her hand a small tissue
paper package about the size of an or
dinary note envelope. and before /
could disciaim any responsibility for 1t
she had opened 1t and was examining
the contents.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, look at this"
And, nothing loath, we Joined her
on the steps and looked also. The lit
tie package contained small piece OF
blue ribbon. and carefully fastened to
1t was a ring of yellow hair. Such
pretty hair 1t was, too, 1t might be.ve
come from the head of little child. 1t
was so soft and curled SO daintily. In
the sunshine it glittered like spun
gold
Elizabeth put her finger under the
shining rlnglet and looked at me
doubtfully.
Where did you get It." she in.
quired. "and what are you going to do
with it?"
Il never saw it before" I replied,
thoroughly puzzled.
Gabrielle lifted the ribbon. which
was attached at the top to a piece of
white note paper. evidently for the
purpose of holding it straight.
"There is writing on It," she an
nounced. and we literally put our
heads together to decipher the words
closely written in pencil.
II need you.'" read Elizabeth. "'Do
not delay"
There is more" continued; Ills
ten:
land another voice is calling.
oh, 1t cometh from the sea.
With an undertone OF danger
But there's work for you and me-"
What does it mean?" questioned
Gabrielle. ELISE. you brought it here;
you must know"
Indeed l don't! got the mail
and"
l paused as a sudden light dawned
upon me.
It's his" exclaimed lucidly; and
went on to explain that Mr.. Graham
had given me our mail very hurriedly,
as Lady Edith was waiting for him,
and doubtless the little package had
slipped in between two letters.
Elizabeth was folding the tissue
paper carefully about the piece of
ribbon.
1T is his, of course" she said, land
we must return it. But. oh, dear! how
Fwish had not opened it,"
What want to know" remarked
Gabrielle, who was OF very inquiring
disposition, 'is this: Why does Mr. Ora
ham carry a piece of yellow hair
around in his pocket, when his wife's
hair is almost black?"
II wish l had not opened It," re-
peated Elizabeth. who was really
troubled. How shall ever explain
doing it? And to whom shall we re-
turn it,"
We discussed the question long and
anxiously. and finally determined to
inclose the package in an envelope
addressed to Mr.. Graham, and send 1t
to the cottage by Mary Anne. with
verbal message that he had given it to
us by mistake.
And" concluded Gabrielle. I'VE
won't ask any questions as to whose
hands it falls into, although I should
like to know all about It,"
CTO BE CONTINUED.)