The Topeka state journal., 1908-07-03
THE EVENING STORY
Redeemed Pledges.
(By ]. Ludlum Lee.)

prosperous pawnbroker for years. His
little shop. located on the corner of
busy thoroughfare. showed big profit,
while large concerns in the neighbor-
hood had failed during the hard times.
Real estate sharks had made tempt
ing offers to Solomon for bis precious
corner. but he assured them all that he
was doing very well, and did not care
to sell. Indeed Solomon boasted OF
showcases often displayed gorgeous
gems. offered for sale at temptingly low
prices.
Business seldom started in until af-
ter ten in the morning. so Solomon was
standing in the open doorway smoking
very large and very rank cigar. when
his attention was attracted to fash
ionably dressed young woman looking
in his window. Suddenly she caught
his glance and darted in the doorway.
Il want to get this watch out OF
her into the shop. She handed him the
ticket.
"Out early, amt your" suggested
1saacs as he glanced her over, wonder
ing how she had happened to pawn
watch for Ave dollars. Clearly some
one had arranged the matter for her.
Isaacs never forgot a business face.
He took the ticket and went to the
back of the store in search of the
pledged article. and Nita Norcross
spent the time in looking into a tempt
ing case of odd jewelry. One old locket
asked its price.
Isaacs took out the locket slowly.
still searching the girls face. The
price seemed reasonable and she bought
1t. Turning to leave the shop she met
face to face a huge policeman and
1.-THE youth. Nita's heart went out to
the latter. In her imagination she pic
tured the young man as wayward. and
pawning - perhaps stealing jewelry.
Surely he must be thief, or why his
police escort? The suspected youth
looked at her sharply as he passed into
the shop. and Nita hurried home with
her purchases. Once in her room, she
told her maid to send the laundress up
stairs. She wished to speak to her
privately.
Here is your watch. Mrs. Berry,"
said Nita, as she handed the timepiece
to her washerwoman. who began to
weep copiously on a gingham apron. Il
hope you will never have to part with
it again. The next time you need
money for sickness or any serious trou-
BILE, come to me. Never pawn anything
again. 1t is a terrible habit" continued
Nita- Then, recalling the picture OF
the handsome youth, she added: 1T
teaches young men where they can get
extra money, and Oftener gets them in
trouble than out of it. Now run along
again." and Mrs. Berry. clasping the
cheap yet precious watch Of her dead
husband to her heart. went back to
her tubs.
Several weeks later Nita Norcross
was invited to the clambake given at
Oak Ridge by her old friends, the
Clydes. Mrs. Clyde introduced her to
the many new friends they had met
since moving to Oak Ridge, and soon
supper was in full swing.
Encircling the round table were thir-
ty men and girls. and Nita casually
looked them over. Directly opposite
she recognized a new face. strangely
familiar. Where had she seen that
man before? He had an almost i'm
pertinent smile, and look where she
would their glances seemed always to
cross.
Supper was over and the guests were
strolling about the grounds. The man
with the familiar-strange face came up
to Nita as she stood beneath clump
of lanterns.
This is Miss Norcross, 1 believe" he
said. IT am Mr.. Hildredth. We were
introduced early in the evening. but no
doubt you did not catch my name.
Have you seen the sunken lake of
which Clyde is so proud?'
Once away from the crowd they
found a comfortable little seat along
the waters edge and the moonlight
fell clear upon them.
"Gorgeous night. isn't it?" suggest
ed Nita. She could not explain why
she had this uncommon constrained
feeling when with this man.
Bully" he replied. May light a
cigarette, just to keep the bugs
away?"
you certainly may" agreed Nita.
frightfuliy rude" began Mr.. Hi
dredth, ';if 1 were to ask you where
you ran against the locket you have on
your neck, Miss Norcross. It's per-
feet beauty. 1 have seen but one other
like it-and that belonged to my
mother"
Nita blushed and nervously twirled
the locket which hung on fine chain
about her neck.
"Why, I bought it," she finally an
swered.
Eyes, of course. but where?"
The silence which followed was
painful. and Hildredth continued:
"You see, my mothers locket was
stolen along with lot of other jew
about a year ago, and I've spent hun
dreds Of dollars and a world of time
trying to locate the stun. What he
took of mine, I don't care a rap about:
but my mothers keepsakes-well. you
could understand that would be diff
ferent thing. In my mothers locket
there is picture of a child-a picture
of me. Whom do you carry in yours,
Miss Norcross?"
Hildredth waited several minutes
for his answer. Slowly the girl took
the locket from her throat. and reach
ed 1t to him.
"Open it," she almost whispered.
He did so, and revealed the picture
of a curly headed child of about six.
and while Hildredth looked long at the
picture. the girl told the story of how
she came by 1t.
"And, isn't 1t absurd" she was say
ing ct thought you were a thief that
day when I saw you with the police
man."
"And l." said Hildredth, Thought
you were a society girl gettin- extra
money to play the races or go to for
tune tellers. or some equally wicked
dissipation." Then changing his tone
entirely he continued: st hate to ask
the return of this but mother valued