Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-11-06

ences off the gulf
coast when we had rescued her from
the clutches Of Count Armand de
Loup and his band of devil wor-
shippers he had not mentioned her
name. But now that she was at a
fashionable North side hotel looking.
II 1t be possible. more beautiful. mt re
queenly and more utterly fascinating
than ever. he appeared to live and
move in another world. For myself
could feast my eyes upon her by the
hour. but I dared not. for the sake OF
friendship and loyalty and all that I
held most dear In my association with
Clarke. allow my mind to follow. My
heart ! knew already was lost beyond
my ever regaining 1t. But it was a JOY
to walk the streets with her, to feel
her presence at ones side and to
share the conscious pride in the ad-
miring looks that followed her when
ever she appeared In public.
Right royalty We entertained her in
our humble apartments.
Among the guests and second only
TO Thaida herself in beauty was Kath.
arine Randall. Clarke and | met her
for the first time. She was n guest OF
the Armatages and when cur good and
lcng-valued friend Mrs. Armatagc tele-
phoned asking the privilege of bring.
ing her We were quite unprepared.
despite Mrs. Armatage's glowing de-
scription. for such a vision of feminine
pulchritude. She was Thaida's direct
opposite, q perfect blonde with the
clear blue eyes and the pink and white
skin that would have given her the
face Of doll had 1t not been for the
soul that shone through It.
Just then there was a ring at the
telephone and Togo. our Jap boy. who
answered It, said: IT'S for MIR. Chief
Ship"
The young woman aiishted and the
chief met her at the door and was
c!oseted with her for some ten or
fifteen minutes. When he returned
his face wore a puzzled look and he
beckoned to Clarke and whispered:
I'D like you to hear Miss Atwell's
story. l shouldn't be surprised II 1t
was more In your line than mine"
'As told Mr.. Ship" began the
young woman. Il am engaged to be
married to Lieut.. Morton Robinson of
the army. He has been In the Philip
pines for the past two years. this be-
ing his second term OF duty there.
He will sail for home shortly and
when he arrives we were to have been
married. but with what have to tell
you unexplained I do not feel that I
can look him in the face again." and
her eyes became suffused with tears.
ITS the things he has sent me, the
most beautiful things you ever saw,
and now I haven't a single one of
them. and what is worse cannot ex-
plain how or why they disappeared
1t seems like fate. Every single thing
he has given me has been something
to wear or some handsome piece OF
jewelry, and the very first time I
have put any Of them on 1t has dis
appeared as completely and as mys-
teriously as II it Just melted into air.
First It was a handsome tortoise
shell and gold comb. 1t could never
be duplicated in this country for I
have searched the shops ever since
for one. The very first time l wore
1t lost 1t, and l never lost a comb
before in my life.
Then Lieut.. Robinson sent me a
beautiful little jeweled brooch in the
shape OF a stiletto. 1t was set with
rubies. diamonds and sapphires he had
picked up in Ceylon on his way out
and he had them mounted in Manila
I kept 1t three months before wearing
It, and then was invited to a box party
and the temptation was too great I
knew the fastening was secure and
was conscious all during the perform
ance 1t was there but when got home
at night 1t was gone and I cried all
the rest Of the night.
Then there was my wonderful
cameo. Lieut.. Robinson got it in Malta
and had 1t mounted in the most beau
tiful native fashion in China. / wore
it for a belt buckle and not only was
the fastening secure but 1 took the
precaution Of sewing 1t to the belt
"My best men have worked on every
case except the last which Miss At
well has yet to tell you," said the
chief. I'VE have raked the pawn shops
of the city with fine-toothed comb
and believe Miss Atwells father has
spent pretty nearly the value OF the
articles in advertising bills. But tell
him OF the bracelet. Miss Atwell."
1T was a bracelet of medallions OF