The state herald., 1909-12-10

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/ those two men were, and what became
of the one who disappeared"
I've strong impression that I saw
him in New York the other day." Van
Torp answered. "If I'm right. he's
made money-doing quite well.
should think. 1t wouldn't surprise me
to hear he'd got together million or
So"
Really? What is he doing? Your
stories grow more and more inter.
esting."
"lf he's the fellow we used to call
Levi Longlegs on the ranch, he's a
Russian now. I'm not perfectly sure.
for he had no hair on his face then,
and now he has beard like French
sapper. But the eyes and the nose
and the voice and the accent are the
same. and the age would about cor.
respond. Handsome man, / suppose
you'd call him. His name is Kralnsky
just at present, and he's found whole
mine of rubies somewhere"
Really? ! love rubies. They are
my favorite stones"
Are they? That's funny. I've got
an uncut one in my pocket now. II
you'd like to see 1t. believe 1t comes
from Kralinskys mine. too, though I
got 1t through friend of yours, two
or three days ago"
"a friend of miner"
He was poking his large fingers
into one of the pockets of his waist
I rpnt In nf hn
"Mr. Logotheti." he said. just as he
found 1t. Hes discovered hand.
some young woman from Tartary, or
somewhere. who has few rubies to
sell that look very much like Kra-
linsky's. This is one of them"
He had unwrapped the stone now
and he offered 1t to her holding II out
in the palm of his hand. She took 1t
dclicately and laid 1t in her own,
which was so white that the gem
shed delicate pompegranate-colored
light on the skin all round IT, She
admired II. turned 1t over with one
finger, held 1t up towards the window,
and laid 1t in her palm again.
But Van Torp had set her thinking
about Logotheti and the Tartar girl.
She put out her hand to give back
the ruby.
Il should like you to keep 1t. it
you WILL" he said II shan't forget
the pleasure fye had in seeing you
like this. but you'll forget all about
our meeting here-the stone may just
make you remember 1t sometimes
He spoke so quietly. so gently. that
she was taken of her guard. and was
touched, and very much surprised to
feel that she was. She looked into
his eyes rather cautiously. remember
Ing well how she had formerly seen
something terrifying In them II she
looked an instant too long; but now
they made her think of the eyes OF a
large affcctionate bulldog
You're very kind TO want TO givo
II to me-" she answered after mo-
mcnts hesitation, but ! don't like to
accept anything so valuable. now that
I'm engaged to be married Konstantin
might not like II. But you're SO kind;
give me any little thing OF no value
that you have In your pocket. for
mean to remember this day, indeed
dol"
Il gave nothing for the ruby" said
Van Torp. stIll not taking It from her.
so 1t has no value for me. wouldn't
offer you anything that cost mo
money. now, unless II was II theater
for your own. Perhaps the things
glass. after all: I've not shown It to
any Joweler. The girl made me take
II. because ! helped her In a sort Of
way. When wanted to pay for II sho
tried TO throw II out OF the window. SO
had TO accept II 10 calm her down.
and she went OF and left no address,
and thought I'D like you To have It.
II you would"
Are you quite. quite sure you did
not pay for IT." Margaret asked. III
We are going to be friends. you must
please always be very accurate
i've told you exactly what hap
pencd." said Van Torp. Wont you
take II now7'
"Yos. viii. and thank you very
much Indeed. love rublcs, and this
Is II benuty, and not prepostoroualy
big. think shall have II set MS II is.
uncut. and only polished. 10 that II
viii always be itself. Just as you
gave II TO me. shall think Of tho
Good Friday music ana the chimes.
and this hdeous little room. and your
clever whistling. whenever look
ut H."
You're kind today" said Mr.. Van
Torp. after a moments debate as to
whether he should say anything at
all.
Am ~ You mean that used to DO
very dlsagroeablc. don't your" She
smiled M she glanced at him, Il
must have boon. I'm sure. for you
used TO frightcn mo ever no much.
Hut I'm not in the least afraid Of you
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