The Irish standard., 1909-09-11

"what?" @
1--WE sold my interest in the Trust.
1t won't be made known for some
time. so don't talk about it, please.
But It's settled and done, and I've got
the money"
"You have sold the Nickel Trust?"
Lady Maud's lips remained parted
IN surprise.
And I've bought you a little pres.
ent with the proceeds" he answered,
putting his large thumb and finger
into the pocket of his white waistcoat.
It's only funny little bit of glass
1 picked up" he continued, producing
q small twist Of stiff writing paper.
"You needn't think it's so very fine!
But -1t'A...a. pretty.-eolor,,' and T. when
you're out Of mourning I daresay
you'll make hatpin of it. 1 like hand
some hatpins myself, you know"
He had UNFINISHED the paper while
speaking, it lay open in the palm of
his hand, and Lady Maud saw stone
of the size Of an ordinary hazel nut,
very perfectly cut, and of that won
derful transparent red color which is
known as pigeons blood" and which
1t Is almost impossible to describe.
Sunlight shining through Persian rose
leaf sherbet upon white silk makes a
little patch of color that is perhaps
more like it'than any other shade of
red. but not many Europeans have ever
seen that, and it is a good deal easier
to go and look at pigeons blood
ruby in q jewelers. window
What beautiful color!" ex-
claimed Lady Maud innpcently, after a
moment. Il didn't know they imi-
tated rubies SO we'll, though, Of course,
know nothing about It, If it were
not an impossiblity, should take it
for a'real one" ....
$50 Should L." assented Mr.. Van
Torp quietly. It'll make pretty hat
pin anyway. Shall have it mounted
for you?"
Thanks, awfully, but think I
should like to keep it as it is for a
little while. It's such lovely color,
Just as It Is. Thank you so much!
Do tell me where you got it,
oh, well, there was a sort Of q
traveller came to New York the other
day selling them what they call priv
ately. l guess he must be Russian
or something, for he has kind of an
oh-look of your husband, only he
wears a beard and an eyeglass. 1t
must be about the eyes. Maybe the
forehead, too. He'll most likely turn
up In London one Of these days to sell
this invention, or whatever It is"
Lady Mapd said nothing to this, but
she took the stone from his hand,
looked at 1t some time with evident
admiration, and then set 1t down on
It's bit of paper, upon little table
by the end of the sofa.
If l were you, wouldn't leave it
around much" observed Mr.. Van Torp
carelessly. Somebody might take a
fancy to 1t. The color's attractive.
you see, and 1t looks like real"
"Oh, I'll be very careful of 1t, never
fear! I can't tell you how much I
like it," She twisted it up tightly in
its bit of paper, rose to her feet, and
put it away in her writing table.
It'll be sort of souvenir of the old
Nickel Trust" said her friend, watch
ing her with satisfaction.
"Have you really sold out all your
interest in it," she asked, sitting
down again; and now that she re-
turned to the question her tone showed
that she had not yet recovered from
her astonishment.
That's what I've done. always
told you I would, when was ready.
Why do you look so surprised? Would
you rather HADN'T"
Lady Maud shook her head and her
voice rippled deliciously as she an
swered: tt
Il can hardly imagine you without
the Nickel Trust that's I'll! What in