The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-12-10
CHAPTER Il.-Contlnued.

CHAPTER ll.-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.
1--WE could get along a lot better
without larks than without hens an
swered her friend philosophically
But I'll make it a nightingale next
time, if / 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 old-fashioned 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 it wasn't
as funny as a Sunday school treat
while it lasted, and l 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 it at
last"
WHAT?
'I've sold my interest in the Trust,
1t won't be made known for some
time, so don't talk about it, please.
But it's settled and done, and I've got
the money"
"You have sold the Nickel Trust?"
Lady Mauds lips remained parted
In surprise.
"And I've bought you little pres
ent with the proceeds" he answered.
putting his large thumb and finger
into the pocket of his white walstcoat
IT'S only a funny little bit of glass
2 picked up" he continued, producing
a small twist of stiff writing paper.
"You needn't think it's so very fine!
But it's a pretty color, and when
you're out of mourning l daresay
you'll make hatpin of it. | like hand
some hatpins myself, you know"
= He had UNFINISHED the paper while
speaking, it lay open in the palm of
his hand, and Lady Maud saw a 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
1t is almost impossible to describe.
Sunlight shining through Persian rose
leaf sherbet upon white silk makes q
little patch of color that is perhaps
more like it than any other shade of
red, but not many Europeans have ever
seen that, and it is good deal easier
to go and look at a pigeons blood
ruby in jewelers. window.
What a beautiful color!" ex-
claimed Lady Maud innocently, after
moment Il didn't know they imi-
tated rubies so well, though, of course,
know, nothing about it. If it were
not an impossiblity, l should take it
for real one"
$50 should l." assented Mr.. Van
Torp quietly. It'll make pretty hat
pin anyway. Shall l have it mounted
for you?"
Thanks, awfully, but I think
should like to keep it as it is for a
little while. It's such a lovely color,
Just as II is. Thank you so much!
Do tell me where you got it."
"Oh, well, there was a sort of a
traveller came to New York the other
day selling them what they call priv
ately. l guess he must be a Russian
or something, for he has kind of an
off-look of your husband, only he
wears a beard and an eyeglass. 1t
must be about the eyes. Maybe the
forehead, too. He'll most likely turn
I'D in London one of these days to sell
this invention. or whatever it is"
Lady Maud said nothing to this, but
she took the stone from his hand,
looked at il some time with evident
admiration, and then set it down on
its bit of paper. upon a little table
by the end of the sofa.
of I we're you, l wouldn't leave II
around much" observed Mr.. Van Torp
carelessly. Somebody might take a
fancy to IT, The color's attractive,
you see, and It looks like real"
"Oh. I'll be very careful Of it. never
fearl 4 can't tell you how much ]
like it," She twisted it up tightly in
its bit Of paper, rose TO her feet and
nut IL away in her writing table.