The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-10-06

"What a Beautiful CoIor!"
was uppermost on hers, and her voice
rippled with happiness.
IF you had only said lark instead
of hen, Rufus," she laughed.
I'VE could get along a lot better
without larks than without hens an
swered her friend philosophically.
But I'll make it 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 womans 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 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
It 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 Maud's 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 funny little bit OF glass
/ picked up" he continued, producing
a small twist of stiff writing paper.
You. needn't think it's so very fine!
But it's 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
it is almost impossible to describe.
I SuDl:sbt shinipo tbrA,nh
leaf sherbet upon white silk makes a
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 a good deal easier
to go and look at pigeons blood
ruby in a jewelers. window.
What a beautiful COLOR" ex-
claimed Lady Maud innocently, after a
moment. Il didn't know they imi-
tated rubies so well, though, of course,
l know nothing about it. If it were
not an impossiblity, should take it
for a real one"
$50 should l." assented Mr.. Van
Torp quietly. It'll make pretty hat
pin anyway. Shall | have it mounted
for you?'
Thanks, awfully, but I think
should like to keep it as It is for q
little while. It's such a lovely color
just as it is. Thank you so much
Do tell me where you got it."
oh, well. there was a sort of
traveller came to New York the othe
day selling them what they call priv
ately. l guess he must be a Russian
or something, for he has kind OF al
off-look of your husband, only h,
wears a beard and an eyeglass.
must be about the eyes. Maybe tn,
forehead, too. He'll most likely turf
up in London one of these days to sci
this invention, or whatever it is"
Lady Maud said nothing to this. blu
she took the stone from his hand
looked at it some time with eviden
admiration, and then set it down OF
its bit of paper, upon little tabl
by the end of the sofa.
III I were you, | wouldn't leave /
around much" observed Mr. Van Tor
carelessly. Somebody might take
fancy to It, The colors attractive
you see. and it looks like real" D..
= "Oh. I'll be very careful of it, neve
fear, | can't tell you how much
like it," She twisted it up tightly /
- its bit of paper, rose to her feet, an
put it away in her writing table.
It'll be sort of souvenir of the oil
Nickel Trust" said her friend, watcl
ing her with satisfaction.
IN Have you really sold out all you
a. interest in it?" she asked, sittin
down again and now that she r,
"a turned to the question her tone Shove
that she had not yet recovered frol
her establishment.
TT. I That's what I've done. Away