Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-05-20

end of her days. In few more years
she would be no longer young or beau
tiful, IL good. And this would seal the
book between Vardiman and herself.
He had kissed her-just once-on the
neck, and she would accept his little
Offering of esteem. Then things would
jog along as before.
You will receive the ticket In to-
morrow's post" Vardiman was saying
confidentally, "and after that-clear
sailing"
Mrs. North lifted eyes trimming
with gratitude. Il shall never be able
to repay you. Boothe." she said softly.
At the sound of his name upon her
lips, Vardiman Redeemed darby. But
they had reached the corner where
Mrs. North must take her car, and lift
ing his hat, he said in a low tone:
you have done that already, Merce-
des."
An instant later. he was gone, and
Mercedes North was spinning up
Broadway, her brain awhirl with de-
licious day dreams.
Floyd"
Yes, dear?"
II wonder what this little thing is?
found it this morning and thought
possibly it might amount to some
thing"
North glanced up indifferently from
his paper, and took the card from his
wifes fingers. "Pawn-ticket," he said,
smoking lazily as he examined it.
'Oh! then it is valuable, course"
"Perhaps-perhaps not Depends al
together on the article and the
amount that was gotten on it, But
the first thing for us to do is TO adj
vertise it. Doubtless the fellow, or
woman, who lost it will be watching
the papers and advertising. too"
Naturally. But if we do not hear
anything?" Mrs. North was shaking
with excitement, and two round spots
were singing in her cheeks.
After reasonable time, we might
investigate the article"
"Oh! Floyd; wonder what it will
be-" She came and sat on his lap
and began stroking his wavy black
hair with cold, nervous fingers.
North laughed as he replied: Prob
ably battered up Waterbury or a
pair of old earrings. Some poor duck
may have needed half, for dinner"
Mercedes made little face, but her
eyes spaEkled "Or solitaire or-or
an automobile" she suggested naively,
how delightfully."- mysterious it all is.
do hope nobodyll claim it,"
With a little gesture of swift ten
derness, North drew her face down to
him and kissed her affectionately. She
was such baby!
His wife watched him narrowly, a
feeling of remorse sweeping over her
all at once at her wretched duplicity.
There was still time to back out.
Should she? A wistful light came into
her eyes. He was SO big-hearted and
generous; so faithful and true IL he
just had one little vice to justify this
breach of confidence on her part. But
he didn't! He loved her devotedly, and
believed in her. And she! Again her
neck scorched furiously under the
recollection of vardiman's stolen ca.
ress and she turned away to hide the
rush of carmine to her temples.
All at once she began TO hate
Boothe Vardiman. If he had never
crossed her path, she would have gone
on believing herself to be madly In
love with her husband. That kiss! II
had unsettled everything. She rose
abruptly from North's knee and
crossed the room on some trivial pre-
text.
After a while North dropped his pa
per. stretched himself luxuriously and
got up to go down to his Office. Mer
cedes came up and he touched her lips
perfunctorily with his. She helped him
on with his coat, and minute later
he was swinging buoyantly down the
wide, cleaning avenue.
Mrs. North watched him till he was
swallowed up in the crowds; then she
threw herself down on lounge and
| Iliu AtI HiflB lave tic
An hour afterward, when she emerged
! from her brief season of repentance
she wondered anxiously IL she would
have to have any alterations in hel
sealskin sack.
The allotted fortnight had come t
dragging close.
Mrs. North sat waiting for her hus
band in a fever of excitement He haC
promised to go by the pawnbroker'!
on his way home to dinner, and he
nerves were going off in every direc
ton.
At last the gate-latch clicked, ant
North's familiar, heavy step sounded
on the porch.
His wife ran to open the door. veil
ing her eagerness under an assump
ton of mild curiosity. She raised her