Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-08-16
MeLocket
Charm
BY AGNES G. BROCAN
Copyright, 1910, by American Press
Association.

u YHEN Lolita was married she
\N bade her friends a fearful
" farewell and went to live at
w the other side Of the world.
Lolita, merry, wealthy and wise, had al
ways been a favorite at the academy.
write often. dear" she said, cling
ing to Helen, land wear this little
locket, which / have designed, that
you will not forget me. May my wish
come true and success ever attend
you"
The locket was square golden one,
and a turquoise forgetmenot with q
diamond center decorated the cover,
which flew open when one pressed a
tiny spring. disclosing the words:
"From Lolita. Success Attend You"
Letters passed between the two girls
at first, but pow. after three or four
years, 1t was often with feelings Of
deep compunction that Helen would
write to her long neglected friend.
while the locket glistened at her
throat. Then one day it slipped from
it's golden chain and changed the
course Of Helen's life Though late
in November. the weather was delight
full, and she decided to walk through
the park on her way to the library.
The bright sunshine tempted her to
rest for moment upon park bench,
and 1t was not until she had selected
q book at the library that she noticed
the chain hanging empty and retraced
her steps. searching all the way for
the little charm. A young man was
sitting upon the bench which she had
SO lately vacated. big blond man In
q gray tweed suit. He glanced up ut
her as she approached. then continued
writing hastily in notebook. Helen
looked at him for moment startled
and then relieved. for silk fob was
dangling from his watch pocket and
frsm It suspended her own little lock-
ct. Evidently the man had clasped 1t
there awaiting the return Of the own
er. Helen seated herself upon the op-
posite end Of the bench and regarded
him furtively. How could she tact
fully open the subject?
pardon me-" said the man, rising.
hat in hand. "Have you lost any
thing"
"Yes, indeed" Helen told him. II
dropped square gold locket here a
short time ago." Involuntarily her
eyes sought his fob.
"Why. that's too bad" said the man
genlally. ALLOW me to help you look
for it"
She stood amazed as he searched the
gravel with his cane and even remov.
ed the heavy bench. going down upon
his knees to look beneath It Seems
to have disappeared" he said. rising
flushed and troubled. ut has evident
ly been picked up Was the locket
very valuable?"
81 wouldn't have parted with 1t for
anything In the world" she said EN-
phatically.
"Well. I'll tell you what to do" said
the man. resuming his seat-"advertise
in the papers and offer a reward
Some one may bring 1t back"
Helen sat down upon the bench quite
bewildered Surely the man could not
faunt the locket before her very eyes
In that manner II he were guilty. Per-
haps. after all, there were other for
getmenot charms with diamond cen
ters. II she could only press the tiny
hidden spring she would know at once
the rightful owner. But how could
she say. will you let me see the III
side Of that locket. for I believe 1t to
be mine?
Then an idea occurred to her. Upon
the leather cover Of his notebook was
lettered distinctly. John w. Bryce.
IS Citizens Building" She would
write a letter that very afternoon, send
1t by special messenger and. quoting
Lolita's inscription. prove her claim
beyond all doubt. And 1t would be so
much easier to write upon this delicate
subject than to speak. As she hur-
ried away the man raised his hat and
walked In an opposite direction.
When Helen was dressing for Mrs.
Toms reception that evening she was
handed the reply to her hasty note.
It~began very abruptly:
The locket which you saw me wearing
this afternoon is no longer In my pos
session Not having opened II. i am un-
able to satisfy you regarding the inscrip-
ton. but can assure you very positively
that the iocket was not the one which
you lost. Truly yours.
JOHN W. BRYCE.
Well" exclaimed Helen, "of all the
coolness! No longer In his possession
and no explanation whateverw
Her cheeks were still burning with
Indignation when. accompanied by her
mother. she Joined the gay throng In
Mrs. Toms brilliantly lighted home.
She was the center of little laughing
group when her hostess approached
Helen, dear" she said. "let me intro
duce you to Toms friend, who will
take you In to supper" And Helen
turned to face the tall young man who
had been her companion upon the park
bench.
lnstinctively her eyes sought his
watch pocket as he bowed stif1y. The
lOcket was no longer there. Almost In
silence they descended the stairs and
took their places at one Of the small
tables.
At length Helen introduced the for
hidden subject. II received your note"
she said. lust before l came"
Mr.. Bryce flushed to the roots Of bis
blond hair. 1T Is unfortunate" be
said. that l am unable to show you
the locket. II there had been the
Ilightsst chance Of It's having been
yours I would have given It to you
when you told me Of your loss. The
fact is the locket was merely loaned
to me for-er-an occasion"
ITO take a walk in the park, per-
haps," suggested Helen sweetly as she
arose. II am very sorry, Mr.. Bryce.
to have troubled you over 80 trivial a
matter"
The man stood frowning as Mrs.
Tom again appeared. Pardon me for
interrupting you two" she began, but
I have a favor to ask Of you, Helen.
Maurice Malcolm has arrived. Every
l. -ua ot>o,,k t,{o fonor roiOo and