The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-11

- OcA n AicICAf ginning NhAOdSA II 1900
colored lashes, chin round like a fruit.
The pressure Of her fingers accented
the slight uptilt Of her brows to eihsh-
ness, and her look was interpretive.
She might. instead OF wondering on
the outside have been the very center
of the mystery itself, toying with I'M
thinkable possibilities of revelation.
She looked far over the head of Clara
Brittons annoyance that there should
be no clew.
why, don't you See" she pointed
out, that is just the fun Of It? 1t
might be anybody. 1t might be you,
or me, or Ella Butler. Though 1 would
much prefer to think 1t was some one
we didn't know so well-some one
strange and fascinating, who will pres
entity go slipping out the Golden gate
in a little junk boat, so that no one
need be embarrassed.
Clara looked back with extraordi-
nary intentness
"Oh. it's not possible the thing is
stolen. There's some mistake! And
II 1t were"-her eyes seemed TO open
q little wider to take in this posi-
bility-"they will have detectives all
around the water front by tonight.
Any one would find 1t difficult to get
away" she pointed out. You see, the
ring is an important piece of property
''Of course; 1 know" Flora muir
INJURED. A faint twitch of humor pulled
her mouth, but the passionate romantic
color was dying out OF her face how
was II that ones romances could be
SO cruelty pulled down to earth? She
ought to have learned by this time.
she thought, never to fly her little flag
of romance except to an empty hori-
zon-never, at least, to fly 1t in Clara s
face. It was always as promptly sur
rounded by Clara's common sense as
San Francisco would be surrounded by
the police. But still she couldn't quite
come down to Clara. AT least, she
sighed. ''he has saved me an awful ex-
pense, whoever took 1t, for should
have had to have it.
Mrs. Britton surveyed this state
ment consideringly. WAS 1T the most
valuable thing in the collection"
Flora hesitated in the face of the
alert question 'I-don't know. But
it was the most remarkable. 1t was
a Chatworth- heirloom, the papers say,
and was given to Bessie at tho time OF
her marriage" The thought of the
death that had so quickly followed
that marriage gave Flora a little
shiver, but no shade of the tragedy
touched Clara There was nothing but
speculation in Clara's eyes-that, and
a little disappointment Then they
viii put off the auction-if 1t is really
So" she unused
ooh. yes" Flora mourned, they can
put II off as long as they please The
only thing 1 wanted is gone-and
hadn't even seen 1T.
well. / wouldn't be too sure. There
may be some mistake about II. The
papers love a sensation"
But there must be something in. it
Clara. why. they closed the doors
and searched them-that crowd! It's
ridiculous"
clara Britton glanced at the empty
place. Then that must be what has
kept him"
who? Oh, Harry 1t took Flora
a moment to remember she had beer
expecting Harry. She hoped Clara had
not noticed It. Clara always had toe
much the assumption that she was TAX
ing him only as the best looking, best
natured, safest bargain presented. He
will be here" she treasured, but wish
he would hurry. His dinner will be
spoiled; and, poor dear. he likes his
dinner so much!"
The faint silver sound OF the electric
bell, a precipitate double peal, seemed
to uphold this statement. The womer
faced each other in a moments sus
pense, a moment of expectation, sucl
as the advance column may feel a
q
of battle. There We're muffled move
ments in the hall, then light, ever
steps crossing the drawing room
Those light steps always suggested
a slight frame. and, as always, Flor;
was resurprised at his bulk as nov
it appeared between the parted cur
tains. the dull black and sharp white
of his evening clothes topped by hi,
square, fresh colored face.
We'll, Flora" he said. 'T know Tn
late" and took the hand she held t
him from where she sat. Her fac
danced with pleasure. Yes, he wa
magnificent, she thought, as he crossed
with his light stride to Mrs. Brittont
chair. He could even stand the harsl
lines and lights of evening clothes. H
dominated their ugly convention will
his height, his face so rudy and fresl
under the pale brown of his hair, hi
alert, def movement His high goo'
nature had the effect of sweetenint
for him even Clara Britton's favorles
manner. The I'VE were speaking o
you" with which she saw him to hi
seat, had all the warmth of smile
but smile far in the background o