The state herald., 1909-11-12
CHAPTER II.-continued.

CHAPTER II.-Continued.
Lady Maud laid her left hand affec-
tionately on the mans right, which
was uppermost on hers. and her voice
rippled with happiness.
''If you had only said lark instead
Of a hen, Rufus!" she laughed.
I'VE could get along a lot better
without larks than without hens" an.
swered her friend philosophically.
But I'll make 1t nightingale next
time, II I can remember, or a 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 oldfashioned sofa, their hands
parted, and they sat down side by
side.
Cheerful" he said. in 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 1t wasn't
as funny as Sunday school treat
while It lasted. and 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 1t 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 1t. 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.
into the pocket Of his white walstcoat.
TITS only funny little bit OF glass
! picked up" he continued. producing
q small twist Of stin writing paper.
you needn't think it's SO very fine!
But It's pretty color. and when
you're out Of mourning I daresay
you'll make hatpin OF It. like hand.
some hatpins myself. you know"
He had untwisted the paper while
speaking. II 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
II Ia almost impossible to describe.
Sunlight shining through Persian rose
leaf sherbet upon white silk ms kes
little patch OF color that is perhaps
more like II than any other shade OF
red. but not many Europeans have ever
seen that, and II is a good deal easier
to 20 and look ut pigeons blood
ruby In 4 jewelers. window.
what beautiful color." ex.
claimed Lady Maud innocently. after n
moment. Il didn't know they imi.
tated rubies SO well. though, OF course.
know nothing about II. II II were
not an impossiblity. l should take It
for a real one"
80 should J." nssented Mr.. Van
Torp quietly. ''It'll make pretty hat.
pin anyway. Shall have Il mounted
for your
Thanks. awfully. but think !
should like to keep II ns II Ia for a
little while. It's such n lovely color.
Just A. Il is. Thank you so much!
Do tell me whcrc you got IT,"
"oh. well. there was sort Of
traveller came to New York the other
dAy selling them what they call priv.
ateiy. ] guess he must be Russian
or something. for he has kind Of an
ofY.iook OF your husband. only he
wears beard and an cyeginss. II
must be about the eyes. Maybe the
forehead, too. Hen most likely turn
up In London one OF these days to sell
this Invention. or whatever II is"
Lady Maud said nothing to this. but
ehc took the stone from his hand.
looked at Il some time with evident
admiration. and then set II down on
Its bit Of paper. upon n little table
by the end OF the sofa.
III ] were you. I wouldn't leave II
around much" observed MIR. Van Torp
caroleauly. Somebody might take a
fancy 10 II. The coior'H attractive.
you nee. and II looks like real"
"ob. I'll be very careful OF II, never
fcar' | can't tell you how much
like ~" She twisted Il up tightly In
itn bit Of paper. rouo 10 her feet. and
nut A AWAY In her writing tabie