Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-07-08

We made a formal search all to-
gether, except Betty and Aunt Selma.
and we found a lot of things in differ
ent places that Jim said had been
missing since the year one. But no
jewels-nothing even suggesting a jew
el was found. We had explored the
entire house, every cupboard, every
chest, even the insides of the couches
and the pockets of Jim's clothes
which ne resented bitterly-and found
nothing, and l must say the situation
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 account of reporters, the air was
glorious. 1t was February, but quite
mild and sunny, and we could look
down over Riverside Drive and the
Hudson, and even recognize people we
knew on horseback and in cars. 1t was
a pathetic joy, and we lined up along
the parapet and watched the motor
boats racing on the river, and tried to
feel that we were in the world as well
as of it, 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 Selina's tea and
had the first really nice time of the
day. Bella had come up, too, but she
was still standoffiish and queer. and
she stood leaning against a chimney
and staring out over the river. After
little Mr. HARRISON put down his
cup and went over to her, and they
talked quite confidentially for long
time. l thought it bad taste in Bella,
under the circumstances, after snub-
bing Dallas and Max, and of course
treating Jim like the dirt under her
feet, to turn right around and be love-
ly to Mr.. HARRISON. 1t was hard for
Jim.
Max came and sat beside me, and
Flanagan, who had been sent down
for more cups, passed tea, putting the
tray on top of the chimney. Jim was
sitting grumpily on the roof, with his
feet folded under him. playing Garfield
in the shadow of the parapet, buying
the deck out of one pocket and putting
his winnings in the other. He was
watching Bella, too, and she knew 1t,
and she strained a point to captivate
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 were four news
paper photographers on the roof Of the
next house, and they had the imperti-
nence to thank us!
Flanagan had seen Bella by that
time, but as he still didn't understand
the situation, things were just the same.
But his manner to me puzzled me; when
ever he came near me he winked pro-
digiously, 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, still sat on the
parapet and watched the darkening
river. felt terribly lonely, all at once,
and sad. There wasn't any one nearer
than father in the west or mother in
Bermuda, who really cared rap wheth-
er I sat on that parapet all night or
not, or who would be sorry If leaped
to the dirty bricks Of the next door
yard-not that l meant to, of course.
The lights came out across the riv-
er, and made purple and yellow streaks
on the water. and one of the motor
boats came painting back to the yacht
overdone. Down on the street auto
mobiles were starting and stopping,
cabs rolling, doors slamming, all the
maddening, delightful hustle Of people
who are foot-free to dine out, to dance,
to go to the theater, to do any of the
thousand possibilities Of long Febru-
airy evening. And above them l sat on
the roof and cried. Yes, cried.
just behind me, and tried to straigh-
ten my face before l turned. 1t was
Flanagan, his double row of brass but
tons 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
cowardly little devil! What'll l do
with it? l went to Mrs. Wilson, but
she says it's no concern of hers" Flan-
nigan was evidently bewildered.
You'd better keep it warm. Flanni-
gan," 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-tbe joke" he said
confidentially, coming closer. IT'S
been great sport, now, hasn't it? But
I'm afraid they will get on to it 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" l gasped. You
don't think-why, Flannigan-"
He merely grinned at me and thrust
his hand down in his pocket. When
he brought it up he had Bellas brace
let on his palm. glittering in the faint
light.
Where did you get ito" Between
relief and the absurdity of the thing,
was almost hysterical. But Flanni-
gan did not give me the bracelet; in
stead, it struck me his tone was sud-
denly severe.
Now look here, miss" he said:
you've played your trick, and you've
had your fun. The Lord knows it's
only folks like YOU would play April
fool jokes with a fortune! If you're
the sinsible little woman you look to
be, yOu'll put that pearl collar on the
~ lot