The searchlight., 1909-01-08
ter once for al, from his mind. and in

and caused her TO withhold her name.
In memory he studied her face, an.
alyxing the delicate features. recalling
the clear. direct. yet half-shy glance
of those deep blue eyes. the long child.
ish lashes. and all the tender contours
-timidity. Of course. He admitted now
that he had accredited the little cir
clet as n possible ambassador, and
laughed mirihlessly as he twisted the
ring on his own smallest digit. but he
decided to carry II always.
Perhaps. In possession Of her name.
he might. after the manner Of men.
have forgotten all about her. As II
was. he remembered. At first he was
always expecting to meet her. Again
and again he thought he had
glimpse OF her On some crowded
street: but Just as often the tailor-clad
| figure eluded him. Once he followed
into a florists shop. determined to
bribe the saleswoman. should the shy
I quarry vanish again: but the tailored
maiden with the well-set shoulders
chose a shaggy chrysanthemum and
fastened II In her furs as she turned
velvety brown glance inquiringly
upon his eager gaze. He hastily pur-
chased the violets for an amazed
debutante who did not expect them.
and threw the gushing note OF thanks.
when 1t came. into the fire with an
unnecessary scowl, for he remembered
suddenly with pang the simple little
Thank you SO much" A girl whose
name he did not know was despot
ically ruling his ideals.
Another winter and summer had
come and passed. Marston still car
ried the little pearl. When he thought
Of 1t at all II was with a feeling half
sad, half resentful. Somewhere this
girl with the wonderful blue eyes was
living her life without him. loving and
being loved. II he found her II would
be too late.
But he was possessed of q married
sister who dragged him out ON all
possible occasions. and on some which
Marston pronounced impossible.
a tea-a teal" he fumed. I'D
rather"
Yes. know" she cut In. prompt.
~. but You must come to this one
] simply will not accept any excuse
It's for Miss Stacy. you know. She Is
going to marry Jack. and you must
meet her"
oh" said Marston. plaintively, "lye
met Jack-won't that do?"
Paul, YOU are good boy. after
ALL" said little Mrs. Hollister, when
he found her In the midst OF the
crush. AS n reward of merit III In.
| troduce YOU To Miss Stacy--oh. you
know each other already? Why didn't
! you tell me?"
The question was reproachful; but
other people demanded attention from
/ the hostess; and Paul was gazing into
| the bluest. bluest eyes In the world
| eyes that had haunted his dreams for
a year And she was going to marry
Jack. Had he not said Ii would be
too late? He never knew quite what
words he uttered. or whether he man.
aged decent appearance as he took
her hand. He noted the long uncurl.
Ing lashes on the cheek. rosy now.
Jacks fiancee,
Later. when the crowd was thin.
ming. he found himself moving with
! the girl toward the open fireplace. In
the comparative isolation he turned,
and. taking the little girlish circlet
from his pocket. let Il rest for a mo.
ment regretfully In his palm.
This Is all I have had Of you for o
| year" he said. almost without his own
yoliiion.
AN" echoed tac girl. laughing. but
a little startled. 1T was enough. wasn't
II? Why. It's my pearl ring. Where
did you get it?" she questioned, the
deep blue eyes opening on him In
amazement
In The righthand pocket of my
coat You might have given me
chanee--to return IL. You can wear
II now. with your wedding ring and
Jacks diamond" he ended. with
touch OF bitterness.
"can--can wear IL with" she fal
tered. When
..Goad.by. Miss Stacy" chornsed
group In the hail to vanishing blue
figure; and the girl with the ring In
her open hand stirred not.
Miss Stacy" he whispered. wonder.
tngly. Then - aren't they calling
yous"
j believe you did not meet my
I cousin" she answered. She was
summoned TO the telephone just as
You came In" And then she finished,
piih bit OF tho old demure shyness:
she was the guest OF honor"
what" he almost shouted. "TheI
she Is engaged to Jack, Not you!"
No. indeed; that Is Constance
Stacy. am only Stacy-slshe paused
with the first little touch OF coquetry
he had seen In her. "Yon do not know
my name yet" she whispered.
No." he answered, slowly: mo. 1
don't know what 1t Ii now."--the color
decnened on her cheek as his hand