Charlevoix county herald., 1908-11-21


ences off the gulf
coast when we had rescued her from
the clutches df 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 it be possible, more beautiful, more
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 l dared not, for the sake Of
friendship and loyalty and all that l
held most dear in my association with
Clarke, allow my mind to follow. My
heart | knew already was lost beyond
my ever regaining it. But it was Joy
to walk the streets with her, to feel
Der presence at ones side and to
share the conscious pride in the adj
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
20 Thaida herself in beauty was Kath-
arine Randall. Clarke and | met her
for the first time. She was a guest of
the ArmataSes and when our good and
lCng-valued friend Mrs. Armatage tele-
phoned asking the privilege Of bring
ing her we were quite unprepared,
despite Mrs. Armatage's glowing de-
scription, for such n vision Of feminine
pulchritude. She was Thaidas direct
opposite, a perfect blonde with the
clear blue eyes and the pink and white
skin that would have given her the
face Of doll had it not been for the
soul that shone through it.
Just then there was ring at the
telephone and Togo, our Jap boy. who
Z answered it, said: It's for Mr.. Chief
Ship"
The young woman alighted and the
chief met her at the door and was
closeted 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. | shouldn't be surprised if it
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
n1ain I 10 hot
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 l haven't single one of
them, and what is worse l 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
have put any of them on it has dis
appeared as completely and as mys-
teriously as il it just melted into air.
First it was a handsome tortoise
shell and gold comb. 1t could never
he duplicated in this country for
have searched the shops ever since
for one. The very first time | wore
it | lost it, and l never lost 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.
kept it three months before wearing
it. and then was invited to box party
and the temptation was too great. |
knew the fastening was secure and /
was conscious all during the perform
ance il was there but when | got home
at night it was gone and | cried al
the rest of the night.
Then there was my wonderful
cameo. Lieut.. Robinson got it in Malta
and had It mounted in the most beau
tiful native fashion in China. | wore
il for a belt buckle and not only was
the fastening secure but l took the
precaution of sewing 1t to the belt.
my best men have worked on every
case except the last which Miss At
we'll has yet to tell you" said the
chief I'VE have raked the pawn shops
of the city with a fine-toothed comb
and believe Miss Atwelps 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