Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-01-29

master Of the shop returned to Mrs.
Winter. His manner had utterly
changed; the bridesmaids perfunctory
Difference was displaced by an almost
eager humility Of bearing. He would
have her sit-there were few cane
seated American arm chairs, in gro
tesque contrast to all their accom-
paniments-he Frustrated himself be-
fore her; he put himself at her SER
vice; still to her trained eye there was
a corner of his mind where incredulity
wrestled with stronger emotion.
do not fear" she said, gently. ut
is really my own, and he gave 1t to me
himself, almost 80 years ago. He
was hardly 80 years old himself then.
You see, my husband had been SO for
tunate as to do him a kindness. 1t
was he who had 1t first. When he
died 1t came to me, and now for the
second time In my life am using 1t.
knew you belonged. ! saw the sign.
Will you help me find my boy?"
Did your ladyship know he is he'e,
in San Flansioo?"
If she had not already dissipated
any doubt in his mind, her evident re-
lief blew the last shred away now.
Haven't you such thing as a tele-
phone somewhere?" cried Rebecc2
Winter. Time Is precious. Can't
you speak to him-have him come
here?"
1t appeared that there was tele-
phone, and in moment she was put
into communication by the shopkeep-
err. He stood in an attitude Of deep
with unsmiling attention her first
Chinese words; he listened as she re-
turned to English, speaking very
quietly, but with a controlled earnest
ness, explaining that she was Archi-
bald Winters widow, giving dates and
places, in nowise alluding to the
service which had won the charm
about her neck. Yet as he listened,
insensibly the Chinaman grew certain
that she had spoken the truth. Pres
emily she turned to hin& "He wishes
to speak to you." she said, and went
back to the shop. She sighed as one
signs from whose heart great burden
rolls. ITO find him here, and still
grateful" she was thinking. What
wonderful good fortune!"
She sat down, and her face grew
dreamy. She was no longer thinking
Of Archie. Her vision was on another
face, another scene, time Of peril,
when almost against her reason her
instructive woman's recoil of pity for
fellow-creature in danger of unthink
able torture had been so intense that
she had more than acquiesced in her
husbands plan OF risking both their
lives to save him; she had impelled
Of the risks on her account. 1T is
only death we have to fear, at worst"
she had argued. I'VE have the means
to escape in a second, both Of us, from
anything else; and II we run away and
leave this poor wretch, who hasn't
done anything but love his country,
just as we love ours, and be too civil
lized for his trifling, ornery, pusillani-
nous country-people to understand, to
get slashed to pieces by their horrible
ing-ling-whateve they call it-Arch.
ibald Winter, don't you reckon we
shall have nightmares a. long az We
livo7"
Thirty years ago-yet 1t seemed
like yesterday. Distinctly she could
hear her husbands voice; it had not
come back to her with such reality for
years; 1t was more real than the cries
of the street outside; and her heart
was beating faster for his words:
Becky, there never was woman like
you! You could make dead man hop
up and fight, bless you!"
"Your ladyship"-it was the shop
keeper back again: he had lived in
England. and he offered the most re-
spectful western title Of his knowl-
edge-"your ladyship may be cheerful.
All will be done OF the best. The
young gentleman will be back TO to-
night. If your ladyship will now le-
tu'n to the hotel"
Mrs. Winter bowed slightly; she
was quite her self-possessed self again.
II will go certainly" she said. "but |
shall hope to see you, also, tonight;
and meanwhile, will you accept, as
token from friend who trusts you,
this?" She took little gem-crusted
watch from her fob and handed it to
him. Her manner was that Of a queen
who rewards her general. And she
left him bowling low. She entered the
motor car. 1t was no longer lone
motor. Another car steamed ana
snorted near by, in which sat tho
amiable banker from Iowa, his wife
and Janet Smith.
It took only moment to transfer
passenger, to explain that she hoped
to find the boy who had been lost
no, she would not use such strenu'
Gus word as kidnaped-and would they
complete their kindness by not men.
tioning the affair to any one? One
hated SO to get into the papers. And
would they let her see them again
to thank them? Then, as she sank
back on the cushions, she remarked,
as much to the expectant chauffeur
as to Janet: Eyes, think it is all
right. I think we shall see Archie TO-
night"
ITO Re CCatinued)