New-York tribune., 1908-08-30

~ tongue was silent. Is AStro moved, II first
uncertainty. and then with increasing conn
dence. directly across the room He stopped
before "a tall cloisonnc vase standing III front
OF the window. looked 1t II Tor moment
st,tddlv then lifted Il and turned II upside
down. Out dropped the Selwyn brooch
\ hurricane 81 applause burst from the com
7anv hands clapped. and men erred Bravo
Mrs Selwvn rushed forward
Astro handed her the brooch She gave one
look 1t IL ClaSped i to her breast, and then
took the palnist hands with both hers
Wonderful she exclaimed Its per
fectlv marvel
Then her ewes caught whimsical look IN his,
saw his cryptic smile. and her face changed
First Il grew suddenly blank. then a delighted
expression flooded II.
Whv-whv. It was trick wasn't Il:
How clever on. II WAS worth the fright,
realfvl II WAS the best thing / We ever seen
done' never suspected il for minute Oh,
thank YOU So much ! knew YOU wouldn'
be mean enough to refuse altogether. knew
YOU'D be nice and aTnuse US someway. But
nv You are q wizard aren YOU:
Selwvrl strobe forward. Do YOU mean to
say You cooked this whole thing up. sir, Well
YOU certainly fooled me, by Jovei Ha. ha /,
You got US all going. didn't YOU: Think OF
that But YOU pretty nearly caused a bg
scandal tell YOU" He turned to a neigh
Dor and began TO talk vociferously about 1t
The crowd swar1ned about Astro now. each
eager TO congratulate and TO praise Every
one gesticulated almost screamed at cne an
other laughing. asking questions without NUM-
ber. Dozens Of people. their conventional re-
serve broken down by the STRAIN OF the last
few minutes. shook Astro by the hand.
THE Countess came up also, to fiatter him
on his success.
.. But you didn't tell me my character after
all she complained playfully.
The glance Astro gave her was cold and
sharp Madam, he replied, your character
Will hardly stand another such test. II You
will call at my studio tomorrow. shall give
YOU some advice. When do You expect to
return TO Italy.
She gave HIM a long stare, grew a little pale
but shrugged her shoulders Are you IN Il
hurry for me to return monsieur!
- predict q great misfortune tor you, II YOU
remain here for more than week
Thank YOU very much tor your advice,
then. You are too kind. Nes. think ! shall
lee bored TO death IN this town / shall 60
Won better We would make fine playmates!
She smiled. and, if reluctantly, removed
her ewes. and left him.
Mrs Selwvn drew HIM aside with eager
ewes "Of course ] know III pig, she said
but really. Astro couldn't You get that
diamond off the Countess hand and hide II
sornewhere1 II would be such fun. you know
Do be nice and do lust one more! They II
talk about my reception forever. II YOU do
Astro laughed hat 5 one thing IN
!
quite so innocent as YOU are, Mrs Selwyn
IT was a pretty big chance You were taking
L seems to me- SAID Naleska, as Astro drove
her home OF course she grabbed the stone
so tightly that It printed the marks OF the facets
on her white glove: that part OF II was easy
But how could YOU be sure, \ ou dldn look
II half the people s hands.
You noticed the way she held her fingers
when spoke to YOU. didn't yout didn
have time. then. TO explain. But knew by
that that she WAS or had been a plckpocket
The professional dipper works with ms hrst
two fingers. and almost always carries his
hand with them extended, and the other two
fingers cllrled UP out Of the way.
But why did you look at her lett glove:
instead Of the right, as you did all the others:
Il had noticed at supper time that she was
left handed Where ! took my long chance,
NV dear was when | trusted TO you to ind
ont what she did with the brooch. ! confess
that when ! dropped on the floor and waIted
for your signal | was rather ANXIOUS 1t was
lp TO YOU, then, To make me or break me
But / was sure ! could trust you, and you did
beautifully"
Valeska herself had been more anxious
during that few minutes than she confessed
There WAS, however. one more ti1inS TO De
sr-aigllttred ont IN her mind.