Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-11-11
CHAPTER II.-Continued.

CHAPTER II.-Contnued.
Lady Maud laid her left hand aTec-
tionately on the mans right, which
was uppermost on hers, and her voice
rippled with happiness.
IF you had only said lark instead
of hen, Rufus!" she laughed.
1--WE could get along a lot better
without larks than without hens an
swered her friend philosophically.
"But I'll make it a nightingale next
time, if / can remember, or bald
eagle, or any bird that strikes you as
cheerful"
The terrible mouth had relaxed al
most to gentleness, and the fierce blue
eyes were suddenly kind as they looked
into the woman's face. She led him
to an old-fashioned sofa, their hands
parted and they sat down side by
side
Cheerful" he said, in a tone of re-
Election. Yes, I'm feeling pretty
cheerful, and it's all over and set
tied"
do you mean the trouble you were
in last spring."
"N-no-not that, though it wasn't
as funny as a Sunday school treat
while it lasted, and l was thankful
when it was through. It's another
matter altogether that I'm cheerful
about-besides seeing you, my dear.
I've done it, Maud. I've done it at
last"
WHAT"
I've sold my interest in the Trust.
It 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 little pres
ent with the proceeds" he answered,
putting his large thumb and finger
into the pocket of his white waistcoat.
It's only a funny little bit of glass
[ picked up he continued, producing
a small twist of stiff writing paper.
You needn't think it's so very fine!
But it's a pretty color and when
you're out of mourning [ daresay
you'll make a hatpin of it. | 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 a 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
it 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 good deal easier
to go and look at a pigeons blood
ruby in a jewelers. window.
what a beautiful color" ex-
claimed Lady Maud innocently, after a
moment. Il didn't know they imi
tated rubies so we'll, though, of course,
I know nothing about it. If it were
not an impossiblity, l should take it
for 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 1 think ]
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 sort of a
traveller came to New York the other
day selling them what they call priv
ately. | guess he must be a Russian
or something, for he has a kind of an
off-look of your husband, only he
I wears a beard and an eyeglass. II
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 Maud said nothing to this, but
she took the stone from his hand
looked at it some time with evident
admiration, and then set it down or
it's bit of paper, upon little table
by the end of the sofa.
"If l were you, wouldn't leave il
around much" observed Mr.. Van TORI
carelessly. Somebody might take {
fancy to it, The color's attractive
you see. and it looks like real"
ooh, I'll be very careful OF it, never
fear! | can't tell you how much
like it," She twisted it up tightly il
its bit of paper, rose to her feet, ant
put it away in her writing table.
It'll be sort of souvenir of the ole
Nickel Trust" said her friend, watch
ing her with satisfaction.
"Have you really sold out all you
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
4 her establishment
That's what I've done. l Away
told you l would, when l was ready
Why do you look so surprised? Woul'
you rather I hadn't?"
Lady Maud shook her head and he
voice rippled deliciously as she an
swered: