Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-11-04

He rose as he spoke, and Barak I'M
derstood his smile and question, and
waited. Mr.. Van Torp went into the
next room, and came back almost i'm
mediately. bringing small black mo-
rocco case, which he set on the table
and unlocked with a little key that
hung on his watchchain. He was not
fond Of wearing jewelry, and the box
held all his possessions Of that sort,
and was not full. There were three
or four sets of plain studs and links;
there were half dozen very big gold
collar studs; there was bit of an old
gold chain. apparently cut of at each
end, and having one cheap little dia-
mond set in each link; and there was
q thin old wedding ring that must
have been a woman's; besides few
other valueless trinkets, all lying loose
and in confusion. Mr.. Van Torp shook
the box a little, poked the CONTEXT.
about with one large finger, and soon
found an uncut red stone about the
size Of hazelnut, which he took out
and placed on the white cloth before
the visitor.
Nov that's what call ruby" he
said, with smile of satisfaction. Got
any like that, young man? Because
II you have I'll talk to you, maybe.
Yes" he continued, watching the orr
entails face, Il told you I'd make you
sit up. But I didn't mean to scare you
baldheaded. What's the matter with
you, anyway? Your eyes are popping
out Of your head. Do you feel as II
you were going to have fit? / say!
:, Stemp!"
Barak was indeed violently affected
by the sight Of the uncut ruby, and
his face had changed in a startling
way; great vein like whipcord sud.
denly showed itself on his smooth
forehead straight up and down: his
lids had opened SO wide that they un.
covered the white of the eye almost
all around the iris; he was biting his
lower lip so that it was swollen and
Iblood-red against the little white
teeth: and moment before Mr.. Van
Torp had called out to his servant, the
young man had reeled visibly, and
would have collapsed IL the American
had not caught the slender waist and
supported the small head against his
shoulder with his other hand.
Stomp was not within hearing,
therefore Mr.. Van Torp called to him
in vain, and meanwhile stood where
he was with his arm round Barak
and Barak's head on his shoulder; but
as no one came at his call, he lifted
the slim figure gently and carried 1t
towards the sofa, and while he was
crossing the large room with his bur
den the palpable truth was forced
upon him that his visitors slimness
was more apparent than real, and an
affair Of shape rather than of pounds
Before he had quite reached the
lounge, however. Barak stirred, wrig.
gled in his arms, and sprang to the
floor and stood upright, blinking lit.
tile, like person waking from q
dream, but quite steady, and trying to
smile In an apologize sort of way,
Though evidently still deeply dis.
turbed Mr.. Van Torp smiled, too, as
II to offer his congratulations on the
quick recovery.
Feel better now?" he inquired in a
kindly tone, and nodded. 81 wonder
what on earth you're up to, young
lady?' he soliloquised, watching Ba.
fak's movements.
He was much too cautious and wise
to like being left alone for many
minutes with a girl, and a cookbook
ing one, who went about London
dressed in mems clothes and passed
herself for ruby merchant. Mr.. Van
Torp was well aware that he was not
a safe Judge of precious stones, that
the fuhies he had seen might very
we'll be imitation, and that the girls
emotion at the sight of the rough
stone might be only a piece of clever
acting, the whole scene having been
planned by gang of thieves for the
purpose of robbing him of that very
ruby, which was worth a large sum,
even In his estimation; for it was
nearly the counterpart Of the one he
had given Lady Maud, though still un.
cut.
Therefore he returned to the table
and slipped the gem into his pocket
before going to the door to see wheth.
er Stemp was within hail.
But Barak now understood what he
was going to do, and ran before him,
and stood before the door in an atti-
tude which expressed entreaty SO
clearly that Mr.. Van Torp was puz.
lied
Well" he said, standing still and
looking into the beautiful imploring
eyes. what on earth do you want
now, Miss Barrack? Try and explain
yourself"
A very singular conversation by
signs now began.
Barak pointed to the waistcoat peck.
let into which he had put the stone.
The matter concerned that, of course,
and Van Torp nodded. Next. though
after considerable dificulty, she made
him understand that she was asking
how he had got It, and when this was
clear, he answered by pretending to
count out coins with his right hand
on the palm Of his left to explain that
he had bought 1t. There was no mis-
taking this. and Barak nodded quickly
and went on to her next question.
She wanted to know what kind Of 4
man had sold him the ruby. She i'm
provised q pretty little dumb show In
which she represented the SELLER and
Mr.. Van TorD the buyer Of the ruby,