The San Francisco call., 1909-09-26

had carried in her bosom, that she had
hidden in her pouch Of gold. and that
had vanished from it at the touch of
magic hand. now cunningly restored
to Its right place in the forehead Of tho
Crew Idol. crowning him with living
light.
Speeches. they looked together at
the magic thing. They had thought it
far at sea; and as if at a wave of
genie's wand it was here before them
flashing in the quiet garden
With an effort Chatworth seemed TO
keep himself from seizing on ring and
man together. He looked searchingly
at the goldsmith and seemed on the
point of asking a question, but, in
stead. he slowly held out his hand. Fte
held it out cup fashion. 1t shook so
that Flora saw the Chinaman steady
ii TO drop in the ring. Then, folding
his check miraculously small, enveloR-
ing 1t in the ra Gged piece of newspaper.
the little man turned and shUffied from
them down the gravel walk
Chatworth stood staring after nm
with his idol in his palm Then, turn
ing slow eyes to Flora. How did ne
come by this?'' he asked. as sternly as
If he demanded It of the mystery Itself
..He had it. from the very first. The
pieces OF the puzzle were fashlnS TO
gether in Flora's mind That hrst
time Harry left the exhibit he took u
there"
But the blue sapphire?' Chatwor1n
insisted.
gave it up to him
echoed in scOrn-
Rut She had had an inspiration OF
understanding. He had to-for money
70 eet off with He gave Clara all ne
ct
away. Poor thingr she added IN .
lower breath. but Chatworth did 70,
bear her. He had taken the idoi
in his thumb and finger, and noiu-
ing it up in the broadening HSIio
looked fxedly at it with the passion
ate fncredulity with which one mlsile
hold and look at friend thouShI ueau.
She watched him with her Jealous pane
increasing to a greater feeling rect
inc Of being separated from him by
this level which he loved. ana Which
had grown to seem hateful 10 heI,
which had shown itself breeder OF an
the greedy passions. She came solllS
up to him, and, H1tinS her manu- ~
cred the idol
He turned toward her in wonder.
"Ah. YOU love it too much, she
whispered
'DThat's unworthy of YOU" he re-
proached her. "I have loved you more,
and that in spite of what ! believed
of Won. and what this means to me-
To me. this ring is not pretty tnlns
seen Yesterday 1t is the symbol or
nv family 1t is the power and pride
of u.s. which our women nave worn
on their hands as they have worn our
honor in their hearts II is part or tne
life of my people; and now 1t has MADE
itself mart of our life. OF yours and
mine. Shall I ever forget how stark
lv Won held il for the sake OF my
honor, even against myself? should
I ever have known you without IL
He put the ring into her hand, and
smiling with his old dare, held IL over
the fountain. 'NOw. if you want TO.
drop it in" He released her hand ana
turned to leave her to her viii.
For a moment she stood with power
in her hands and her eyes on his avert
ed head Then with a little rush she
crossed the space between them. Here.
take it, You love it, I want you to
keep it. but 1 can't forget the dreadful
things it has made people do. 1t makes
me afraid"
In spite OF his smiling he seemed
to her very grave. You dear. SHY
child The whole storm and trouble
, of life comes from things being in the
wrong place. This has been in the
wrong place and made mischief"
Like me-" she murmured
Like YOU" he agreed. Now We
shall be as we should be. Give me
your hand"
He drew off all the rings with which
she had once tried 70 dim the sparkle
of the sapphire, and. dropping them
into his pocket like so much drosS.
slipped on the idol that covered her
third finger in a splendid bar from
knuckle to joint. Holding her by just
the tip of that finger, leaning back
little, he looked into her eyes. and
she, looking back, knew that it we'd
ded them once for all.
THE END.