Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-11-19
On reaching his ONCE the comptrol'

uOW, III lIic oIulldIy COuISt ~ CVcIlbo
could the comptroller have learned
that he had bought a bracelet for Ma
rion.
THE bracelet that you received and
signed for a week ago. You put 1t In
your desk and forget all about 1t. l
presume, like the rest of the empty
heads around here. Well, you may be
pleased to know hat you've got me
into a peck OF trouble at home. Fetch
it OUT"
II certainly have a bracelet in my
desk" said George. still more sur
prlsed. but Is Is mine, at least. I
bought It. | intended 1t for a birth
day present"
"Oh, you did. did you?" queried
OBrien tartly-he had come over to
Georges desk. What is it iike?"
only a simple band of gold" said
George. producing. the box He opened
it. and almost let the circlet fall, so
horrorstruck was he by the unexpect-
ed flash Of colors.
"A simple piece Of gold is it," cried
the comptroller. This looks like It,"
and he snatched the glittering brace
let. Here's the bracelet I bought in
your desk. How do you account for
1t? You bought a bracelet at the same
shop, did your" he said sarcastically,
as George stammered out an explana-
ton. at may be, but If you don't
claim this bracelet I do, and what's
more. Mrs. O'Brien does, too"
So saying, he closed the box with an
ominous click and started to return
to his private office. Then he came
back and inquired:
where's the wrapper this thing
came in? This shows whether it was
consigned to you or to me-"
Alas! George had unwrapped the
box and destroyed the paper. Mr.
O'Brien went to his room and George
returned to his desk witt a flushed
face and disturbed mind. certain OF
one thing. that even If this incident
was closed he need think no more of
the coveted place Of expert account.
ant.
He found he could not keep his
mind on his work and presently he
called the office where Marion was EN-
ployed and asked for Miss Seymour.
She had not received a bracelet by
messenger or express, and the hurried
conversation left George without a
clew to the mystery, and Marion very
much perplexed as to what he meant
by his questions.
When he went home that night 1t
too was late to call at the jewelers. to
seek an explanation, but he told the
whole story to Marion.
"Why, you foolish boy" she ex,
claimed. Don't you see what has
happened: The clerk. by mistake,
sent my bracelet to Mrs. O'Brien and
sent her bracelet to you. The first
thing I will do tomorrow morning
will be to call on Mrs. O'Brien
and get my bracelet, and at the same
time relieve you Of the imputation of
stealing hers. Isn't 1t horrid and low
of them to think of such a thing?"
Marion was shown into the thickly
padded drawing room of the O'Brien's
next day. and had plenty OF time to
look at the wonderful upholstery in
the way of plush and auction pictures
before Mrs. O'Brien came bursting in.
George had not badly described the
c~omptroller's wife-she was stout and
vulgar. and-yes. cunning. But there
was a kind look back of the beady
blackness Of her eyes.
Marion explained why she had
called. Mrs. O'Brien stared and burst
into a laugh.
ITO be sure she cried. Il remem.
Der a trumpery bit bracelet coming to
the house. l thought 1t was a foolish
joke. You shall have 1t at once. my
dear. apd then you can feast your
eyes on nine"
She went into the hall and called
loudly.
"Finnette! Finnette! Apportez
mong, sill vous plat. cetter-cette bijou-
terie %nouvelle que j'ai recu recem,
mong."
There was a short wait, inc then
the stout lady came back with two
jewelers. cases. She clasped the great
emerald bracelet or her pudgy arm
and held out the other to Marion.
us this little thing yours? she
cried. laughing. And a clerk in
James ofice bought 1t for you? L
wonder he didn't die Of expansion Of
the heart.
Marion drew herself up proudly /
and was about to speak, but Mrs. :
O'Brien interrupted her.
Nov, don't get huny. my DEAR"
she said. II want you to tell me the
whole story. You are engaged to this
young man? Well, when are you going
to marry him?"
Marion took courage and confded
the truth to Mrs. O'Brien. who accom-
the story with many "Ohs"
and "Ahs."
And he's qualified to take old o.
prey's place, is he?" cooed Mrs. /
O'Brien. well. II that's so. TIL see
he gets 1t. Come along with me
and we'll drive straight down to
James ONCE. Finnette. Finnette, ap-
mong chapeau."
"Oh. Mrs. O'Brien, this Is too kind. !
Surely, you are not going now"
when you want a thing DONE"
quoth Mrs. OBrien. I've found that
the only way is to put on your bonnet
and go out and do 1t. Finnette. ap-
mOng chaDeau.'