The Marshall republican., 1910-09-09

fact Is the locket was merely loaned
to me for-er-an occasion"
"To take a walk In the park, per-
haps," suggested Helen sweetly as she
arose. 81 am very sorry, Mr.. Bryce,
to have troubled you over so trivial a
matter"
The man stood frowning as Mrs.
Tom again appeared. Pardon me for
in%terrupting you two" she began, but
| have q favor to ask of you, Helen.
Maurice Malcolm has arrived. Every
one Is wild about his tenor voice, and
he has consented to sing for us pro-
vided / find an accompanies. Imme-
diately l thought Of you, my dear"
"Why, certainly l will play" said
Helen and followed her hostess with
a sigh of relief.
Maurice Malcolm bowed low before
her with q look of alteration In his
dark eyes. $50 kind of you," he MUIR
INJURED. And Helen soon became abb
sorbed in her music, forgetting all else
save the wonderful voice which echoed
through the room. When the applause
had ceased he bent over her.
at is you" said he, "who have made
my song a success"
But Helen was staring incredulously
at the forgetmenot charm suspended
from his silken fob. "Who gave you
that locket?" she demanded CURLY.
The singer Strengthened suddenly and
looked surprised.
~ beg your pardon" he said coldly.
Then she smiled.
at is such a beautiful design" she
said and held wi her hand. MAY l
see IT,"
Unclasping the locket, he laid It In
her palm. Would you mind II ]
opened it?"
The singer smiled. ut took me some
time to find the hidden spring." he
said. "Allow me to show you how"
But her finger unaided had found
the spring. Her friends name with
its curling IL" and the well known
motto were dancing before her eyes.
"Mr. Malcolm" she sad quickly
this is strange; a friend gave me the
very counterpart Of this locket several
years ago, and lost 1t today In the
park"
THAT was indeed unfortunate" said
the singer. The owner Of this little
charm desired me TO wear 1t this even
ing. She has had it for a number OF
years"
Helen's fingers frightened about thu
locket as the man held out his hanC
to receive 1t.
Mrs. Tom came toward them, a bevy
Of laughing girls in her train. "Mr
Malcolm" she called. .'come and b,
introduced" The man hesltated. 81,
you please?" Ire said peremptorily
looking at Helen.
Reluctantly she surrendered thu
golden trinket and turned away. Per
haps Mr.. Bryce had not deceived he
after all. She was strangely pleased
at the thought and decided at leas
to tell him OF her new discovery. Sh'
found him sitting in q secluded corne
screened from view by palms an
plants and apparently lost In gloom,
meditation. Helen Joined him uncere
moniously.
Il have seen 1t again." she announc
ed. His face frightened as she en-
tered.
II am afraid | do not understand
you," be replied.
"Mr. Malcolm Is wearing my locket,
she explained, Inscription and all
Did you give II to him?"
81 never saw the n before" h
said solemnly. HE has probably BEEF
fortunate enough TO lind your los
charm and will return it to you"
Helen shook her head. He says 1
is moi mine" She looked up at hin
~meaningly. Il suppose II has beei
loaned to him for AN OCCASION"
"See here!' said Mr.. Bryce indig
nantly. HE ought to give q bette
explanation. You wait here for a fey
moments while ! hunt the fellow n
and find out"
The girl seemed to have forgotten
her luminosity toward Mr.. Bryce
"How good you are" she said. an,
the look In her eyes was iattering.
Bur when he returned his face wor
Il perpiexed frown.
did you get the locket?" she aske'
eagerly. The man avoided her eyes
cit Is no longer in his possession.
he said.
"Well. where Is ity' she persisted.
MIR. Bryce spoke very slowly. III
seemed TO think II was one OF NJ,
affair.
Il see." said Helen, and her friendl
feeling toward the young man ied
Good evening. Mr. Bryce"
His tail figure blocked the passage
Zone moment, please, before you 60,
: he said desperately, May ] call som
, time II | am able to bring an explana
ton Of this annoying AFFAIR.""
You may call" she answered wear
, ~. when you can return my locke
TO me-" He bowed and stood asid
, for her to pass,
r Later. when Helen's mother wa
, making her adieus TO Mrs. Tom, Mau
rice Malcolm approached Il tegre