Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-05-20
Copyright. by Daily Story Pub. COP

Mercedes North caught her breath
bewilderedly as she looked at it;
$780, Tuesday would be her birthday
and only yesterday Floyd had asked
her what she wanted. She had told
him unhesitatingly that nothing would
satisfy her but an emerald. Now-if
she had just waited!
But after all, $500 she
sighed as she dragged her eyes away
from the window, raising them with a
shock to the piercing gaze OF Boothe
Vardiman. The blood sizzled in her
cheeks, in the tiny spot on her neck,
where, the night before how
long he had been at her elbow, Mrs.
North could never have told The
speculation cut sharply across her
throbbing recollections. She hoped
he had not seen the yearning in her
face, heard the sigh of remuneration
as she turned from the window! His
next words settled the question indu-
bitably.
"A beauty that, isn't it?" He looked
at her sympathizingly.
Mrs. North experienced an absurd
sense of excitement, of expectation.
But she gave an appreciative little
nod that mean valiantly to be enthusi-
astic in an entirely impersonal way.
Il was just thinking of buying it
myself" he pursued tentatively, IF
you really consider it bargain"
Il never had seal-skin
sack in my life," she an
swered candidly, but it isn't
because | haven't wanted one, or be-
cause | didn't know what was what"
Her fingers were working nervously
in her nun.
And am l to understand by that
that you think this"
Gorgeous" she interrupted, glow
ingly.
Vardiman permitted his eyes to rest
on the woman's face till the hot blood
oozed away, leaving her deathly pale
under the inevasible significance of
his glance. Her lashes fluttered soft
ly, like black wings against the white
line OF her cheek.
pered in a subtle undcrtone.
Mrs. North started, but controlled
herself Immediately Her heart gave
sudden lurch, then seemed TO stand
very still. When 1t commenced to
beat again, the audible pounding was
right in her throat, half choking her.
OF course she couldn't, but oh! she
wanted it so, and she would have
done anything to possess it-anything
but this!
But Vardiman had OWNED her hest
tation and longing instantly, and he
did not scruple to trade. upon it,
skilled traff1cker as he was in the
emotions of womankind.
Mine hundred dollars is a mere
song to me-" he urged, you would
not refuse to accept a dozen roses
from the impecunious Walther. Why
then, hesitate about this little gift
from me?"
MY husband-what would he
Think" she asked uneasily.
Whatever you chose to tell him.
eh?"
Which, translated, means a-false
hood?"
Not necessarily. A friend"
Floyd isn't that sort. He'd have
to know. He's so honest and direct
in everything that he wouldn't toler
ate half-measures in anyone else. his
wife particularly" She turned as
though to go.
But Vardiman placed himself in hel
way and said eagerly:
Suppose / can find a way-will you
let me buy it?p He looked down at hei
with the half-pleading, half-compelline
gaze that she had found it impossible
to resist only last night!
You are too beautiful and younf
and good" he continued ardently, "tc
have your innocent wishes ungrati
fed. IL the thing will give you day.
happiness / shall feel repaid"
And hat-will-be-all?p The
words jerked themselves out between
Mercedes North's dry, trembling lips
Believe me-"
For moment she dare not meet hi,
eyes. But presently she looked III
with little gasp of delight Then
swift cloud settled upon her prett,
features. IF Floyd were a differen
kind of man"
"Oh, come-Tm going to get IL any
how. We can devise our explanatio,
afterward.' And he walked deliberate
ly into the shop and made the pur
chase, before she could utter anothe
word of protest.
They left the place together. botl
silent for some seconds. At lengt,
Vardiman turned to her with lool
OF inspiration. II have It," he said
II shall pawn the sack for say abou
$50. You can find he ticket. and ge
North to redeem II for youl"
Mrs. North bit her lips hard TO kee
back the little ejaculation of pleasur
and admiration that sprang to then
After all, Boothe Vardiman was right
she had accepted flowers and othe
gifts from men less able to spend $40
than he was thousand-and she had