The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-09-16

the OOx a little, poked the contents
about with one large finger, and soon
found an uncut red stone about the
size of hazelnut, which he took out
and placed on the white cloth before
the visitor.
Now that's what I call a ruby" he
said, with smile of satisfaction. Got
any like that, young man? Because
If you have I'll talk to you, maybe.
Yes" he continued, watching the orr
entails face, II told you I'd make you
sit up. But didn't mean to scare you
baldheaded. What's the matter with
you, anyway? Your eyes are popping
out of your head. Do you feel as IL
you were going to have fit? I say!
Stemp!"
Barak was indeed violently affected
by the sight of the uncut ruby, and
his face had changed in a startling
way; great vein like whipcord sud-
denly showed itself on his smooth
forehead straight up and down; his
lids had opened so wide that they un-
covered the white of the eye almost
all around the iris; he was biting his
lower lip SO that it was swollen and
blood-red against the little white
teeth; and moment before Mr.. Van
Torp had called out to his servant. the
young man had reeled visibly, and
would have collapsed If the American
had not caught the slender waist and
supported the small head against his
shoulder with his other hand
Stemp was not within hearing,
therefore Mr.. Van Torp called to him
in vain, and meanwhile stood where
he was with his arm round Barak,
and Barak's head on his shoulder; but
as no one came at his call, he lifted
the slim figure gently and carried it
towards the sofa, and while he was
crossing the large room with his bur-
den the palpable truth was forced
upon him that his visitors slimness
was more apparent than real and an
affair Of shape rather than of pounds.
Before he had quite reached the
lounge, however, Barak stirred, wrig-
gled in his arms, and sprang to the
hoor and stood upright, blinking a lit
tie, like a person waking from a
smile in an apologetic sort of way,
though evidently still deeply dis
turbed. Mr.. Van Torp smiled. too as
II to offer his congratulations on the
quick recovery.
Feel better now" he inquired in a
kindly tone, and nodded. Il wonder
wha: on earth you're up to, young
" hn d.
rak's movements.
He was much too cautious and wise
to like being left alone for many
minutes with a girl, and a cookbook
ing one, who went about London
dressed in mems clothes and passed
herself for a ruby merchant. Mr. Van
Torp was we'll aware that he was not
a safe Judge of precious stones, that
the rubies he had seen might very
we'll be imitation, and that the girls
emotion at the sight of the rough
stone might be only piece of clever
acting, the whole scene having been
planned by gang of thieves for the
purpose of robbing him of that very
ruby, which was worth a large sum,
even in his estimation; for it was
nearly the counterpart of the one he
had given Lady Maud, though still un-
cut.
Therefore he returned to the table
and slipped the gem into his pocket
before going to the door to see wheth-
er Stemp was within hail.
But Barak now understood what he
| was going to do, and ran before him,
and stood before the door in an atti-
tude which expressed entreaty so
clearly that Mr.. Van Torp was puz-
| zled.
Well" he said, standing still and
looking into the beautiful imploring
eyes, what on earth do you want
now, Miss Barrack? Try and explain
yourself"
A very singular conversation by
signs now began.
Barak pointed to the waistcoat poc6-
ct into which he had put the stone.
The matter concerned that, of course,
and Van Torp nodded. Next, though
after considerable difficulty, she made
him understand that she was asking
how he had got it, and when this was
clear, he answered by pretending to