The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-08-13

"You know what I've come for" he
said, but now I'm here, now that l see
you, / wonder If there's something /
haven't reckoned on" He looked at
her earnestly. IF you think I've taken
advantage of you-if you ia SOIL
go away, and give you a chance to
think 1t over"
1t would have been so easy to have
nodded him out, but instead she half
put out her hand toward him. mo-;
stay"
He gave her a quick look-surprise
and appreciation at her courage. He
dropped into a chair. "Then tell me
about IT,"
Flora's heart went quick and little.
She held herself very still, afraid in
her intense consciousness lest her
slightest movement might betray her,
She only moved her eyes to look up
at him ~questioningly, s~uspending ac-
acknowledgement of what he meant until
lie should further commit himself.
II mean the sapphire" he said. He
waited. ..
YES" she answered coolly, Il saw
that it interested you last night, but l
couldn't think especially why. It's a
beautiful stone"
He laughed without a sound-shook
noiselessly for a minute. Meaning
thai a gentleman shouldn't pounce
upon any beautiful stone he may hap
pen to see?' He got up and moved
about restlessly in the little space be-
tween their two chairs. "But"-and
he flashed around at her with a snaI
30 lit, oo-,o,e Rnoor, .tsx.,hora Ala x,ar
get it?"
For the life of her she couldn't hell
her wave of color, but through it al
she chung to her festal smile. Sheer
nervousness made it easv.
well, suppose it was begged, Dor
rowed, or-given to me? Suppose i
came from here or far away yonder
What's that to do with its beauty?
She gave him question for question
did you ever see 1t before?"
He never let off looking at her, look
ing at her with a hard inquiry, as /
she were some simple puzzle that HI
unaccountably failed to solve.
That's rather neat, the way yot
dodge me-" he said, lodging in hi!
turn. But | don't see it now. Your
not wearing it,"
She played Indifference with what
beating heart! "Oh, l only veal it of
and on"
loft and on" His voice suddenl.
rang at her. "Off and on! Why, m!
good woman, it's just W days yo,
could have worn 1t at all!'
She stood up-stood facing him. Fo
a moment she knew nothing excep
that her horrible idea was a fact. Sh
had the eye of the Crew Idol. and thi
man knew it! Yet the fact declares
gave her courage. She could face hi
accusai II only he could give reaso
for it. But after a moment, while the
looked silently at each other she sa'
he was not accusing her. He wa
threatening her and b~eseeching her in
diligence in the same look. He opene
his lips, hesitated, turned sharp abou
and walked away from her.
She watched him with increasin
doubt.
He was speaking. almost coaxingly
as Il to a child. II understand" h
was saying. IT know all about it. 1T
a mistake. But surely you don't expect
TO keen it now. 1t will only be an an
noyance to you"
She turned on MIN. What could
be to you?"
What will you take for it?' he sal
at last.
She stepped away from him. TN
thing is not for sale"
"You are an extraordinary creature
he said, "bu really | must have 1t.
can't explain the why of it; only CIV
the sapphire to me, and you'll never
sorry for having don that for nj
Whatever happens, you may be SUI
| won't talk. Even If the thing come
out, you shan't be mixed up in it," +
had come near her again. and the poll
of his long forefinger rested on her arr
"Why not give 1t to me now.' !
urged. "since, of course. you can't kee
1t? / could have 1t now in spite
you"
Everything in her sprang up In al
tagonism to meet him. Il know whit
YOU are" she cried, but you shan
have It. You have no more right to
than I. You can't get II away from m
and / shan't give 1T to you"
He had grown suddenly paler; h