The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-12-17


ly. emptied the twists Of paper into
her hand, selected one by touch. and
slipped the rest back. She unwrapped
large stone and held It up to the
light, turning IL little as she did so
Van Torp watched her with curiosity
and with an amused suspicion that
she had perhaps played the whole
scene in order to mollify him and in.
duce him to buy something. So many
people had played much more elabo-
rate tricks in the hope Of getting
money from him, and the stones might
be limitations after all, in spite OF Lo-
gotheti's penciled line of recommends
ton.
But Barak's next action took Van
Torp by surprise. To his amazement,
she pressed the ruby lightly to her
heart, then to her lips, and last OF all
to her forehead. and before he knew
what she was doing she had placed 1t
in his right hand and closed his I'm
gers upon 1t. It was thankoffering.
"Nonsense!" objected the million
iare. smiling, but holding out the stone
to her. ITS very sweet OF you. but
you don't mean 1t, and l don't take
presents like that. Why. it's worth a
thousand pounds in Bond street any
day!"
But she put her hands behind her
back and shook her head, to show that
she would not take 1t back. Then with
her empty hand she again touched her
heart. her lips and forhead. and
turned towards the door.
Here. stop!" said Mr.. Van Torp,
going after her. 81 can't take this
thing! See here. say! Put 1t back
into your pocket"
She turned and met him, and made
gesture of protest and entreaty, AZ
II earnestly begging him to keep the
gem. He looked at her keenly, and
he was Judge Of humanity, and saw
that she was hurt by his refusal. As
last resource, he took out his peck.
et-book and showed her q quantity OF
folded bank notes.
WELL" he said, "since you insist,
Miss Barrack, I'll buy the stone of
you, but I'll be everlastingly fingered
IL I'll take It for nothing"
Barak's eyes suddenly flashed In a
most surprising way. her lower lip
pouted, and her cheek family changed
color. as drop of scarlet pomegranate
Juice will tinge bowl of cream.
She made one step forwards. plucked
the stone from his fingers, rather than
took 1t. and with a quick. but girlish.
~ awkward movement, threw Il to-
wards the window as hard as she
could. stamping angrily with her little
foot at the same moment. Mr.. Van
Torp was extremely disconnected, as
he sometimes was by the sudden &C.
lions Of the sex he did not under
stand. Fortunately the stone hit the
wall instead Of going out Of the win
dow.
I'm really sorry. Miss Barrack," he
said in tone Of humble apology. and
he went quickly and picked up the
gem. Il hadn't quite understood, you
see."
She watched him. and drew back in
stinctively towards the door, as II ex.
pecting that he would again try to
give 1t back to her. But he shook
his head now, bowed with all the
grace he could affect. which was little,
and by way Of making her feel that
he accepted the gift, he pressed 1t to
his heart, as she had done, and to his
lips. but not to his forehead, because
he was afraid that might cause some
new mistake. as he did not know what
the gesture meant.
Barak's face changed instantly: she
smiled. nodded. and waved her hand
to him. to say that It was all right,
and that she was quite satisfied. Then
she made sort of salute that he
thought very graceful indeed. as II she
were taking something from near the
floor and laying It on her forehead.
snd she laughed softly and was out OF
the room and had shut the door before
he could call her back again.
He stood still In the middle of the
room, looking at the gem In his hand
with an expression Of grave doubt.
Well" he said to himself. and his
lips formed the words. though no
sound articulated them. that's a queer
sort of mornings work. anyway"
He reflected that the very last thing |
he had ever expected was present
OF a fine ruby from a pretty heather |
girl In mans clothes. recommended to |
him by Logotheti. Though he almost |
laughed at the thought when 1t oc-
Cured to him. he did not like the idea |
OF keeping the stone: yet he did not |
know what to do with it. for Il was
more than probable that he was never
to see Barak again. and il he ever did.
II was at least likely that she would |
refuse to take back her gift, and as |
as on the first occasion.
At that moment 1t occurred to him
that he might sell it to dealer and
give the proceeds to Lady Maud for |
her good work. and taking his hat and
gloves he went out Immediately, with
out even telling Stemp that he was
going.
He walked up at a leisurely pace