The Washington herald., 1910-06-20

must be hidden somewhere. and that no
crevice was roo small TO neglect.
We made a formal search all together.
except Betty and Aunt Selma. and we
found lot OF things In different places
that Jim said had been missing since the
year one. But no Jewels-nothing even
suggesting a Jewel was found. We had
explored the entire house. every cup
board, every chest. even the insides of
the eouches and the pockets Of Jlms
clothes-which he rei ented bitteriy-and
found nothing. and / must say the situa-
ton was growing rather strained. Some
one had taken the Jewels; they hadn't
walked away.
1t was Flanagan who suggested the
roof, and as we had tried every place
else, we climbed there. OF course we
didn't find anything. but after all day in
the house with the shutters closed on ac-
count of reporters. the air was glorious
II was February, but quite mild and sun
ny. and we could look down over River
side Drive and the Hudson. and even
recognize people we knew on horseback
and in cars. 1t was a pathetic Toy. and
we lined up along the parapet and watch
ed the naotor-ooats racing on the river.
and tried to feel that we were in the
world as well as Of 1t. but it was very
hard
Betty had been making tea for Aunt.
Selma, and OF course when she heard
us up there, she followed, tray and all.
and we drank Aunt selinas tea and had
the first really nice time Of the day.
Bella had come up, too, but she was still
standofflsh and queer, and she stood
leaning against a chimney and staring
out over the river After a little Mr..
HARRISON put down his cup and went
over to her, and they talked quite conf
IDENTIFY for long time. ! thought it bad
taste In Bella, under the circumstances,
after snubbing Dallas and Max, and OF
course treating Jim like the dirt under
her feet, to turn right around and be
lovely to Mr.. HARRISON. It was hard for
Jim.
Max came and sat beside me. and FIan-
nigan, who had been sent down for more
cups, passed tea, putting the tray on top
of the chimney. Jim was sitting grump-
lily on the roof, with his feet folded under
him. playing Garfield In the shadow OF
the parapet ouying the deck ont OF one
pocket and putting his winnings in the
ether. He was watching Bella, too. and
she knew II, and she strained a point to
captiyate Mr.. Harrison. Any one could
see that
And that was the picture that came out
in the next mornings papers. tea cups.
cards and all For when some one looked
up, there we're four newspaper photo
gFaphers on the roof of The next house,
and they had the impeFtinence 10 thank
US
Flanagan had seen Bella by that time.
but as he still didn't understand the sit
uatiOn, things were just the same But
his manner TO me puzzled me; whenever
he came near me he winked prodlgiously,
and during all the search he kept one
eye on me. and seemed to be amused
about something
When the rest had gone down to dress
for dinner. which was being sent in,
thank goodness. I still sat on the para
pet and watched the darkening river. I
felt terribly lonely. all at once and
sad. There wasn't any one any nearer
than father in the West, or mother IN
Bermuda, who really cared a rap wheth-
er I sat on that parapet all night or not,
or who would be sorry IL I leaped 20 the
dirty bricks Of the next dooryard-not
that I meant 10. OF course.
The lights came out across the river,
and made purple and yellow streaks on
the water. and one of the motor boats
came painting back 10 the yacht club.
coughing and gasping as If it had over
done. Down on the street automobiles
were starting and stopping, cabs folling.
doors slamming all the maddening, de-
lightful hustle Of people who are foot
free TO dine out, to dance. to 90 TO the
theater. 20 do any Of the thousand possi-
bilities of a long February evening. And
above them / sat on the roof and cried
Yes. cried.
uae ro,,Sod b,- Soma oy,, ,s,,,,t,;,,. s,,s.t
behind me, and / tried to straighten my
face before turned. It was Flanagan,
his double row of brass buttons cleaning
In the twilight
Excuse me- miss" he said affably,
but the boy from the hotel has left the
dinner on the doorstep and run, the cow
ardly little divi! Whatll I do with it2
went to Mrs. Wilson. but she says IT'S
no concern of hers" Flanagan was evi-
IDENTIFY bewildered.
You'd better keep it warm. Flanni-
gan, I replied. You needn't wait; I'm
coming" But he did not go.
Tiff you'll excuse me, miss" he said.
don't you think ye'd betther tell them?"
TELL them what?"
THE whole thing-the joke" he said
confidentially, coming closer. IT'S been
great sport. now, hasn't Il? But I'm
AFRAID they VIII get on 70 IL soon, and
some Of them might not be agreeable.
A pearl necklace is a pearl necklace,
miss, and the lady's wild"
What do you mean?'' I gasped. You
don't think-why. Flannigan-''
He merely grinned at me and thrust
his hand down In his pocket When he
brought 1t up he had Bellas bracelet on
his palm, glittering in the faint light.
Where did you get it?" Between re-
lief and the absurdity Of the thing, I
was almost hysterical But Flanagan