Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1910-07-22

diately thought or you, my dear"
"Why, certainly | will play" said
Helen and followed her hostess with
a sigh of relief
Maurice Malcolm bowed low before
her with look Of alteration In his
dark eyes. $50 kind of you." he MUIR
INJURED. And Helen soon became alb
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 success.
But Helen was staring incredulously
at the fOrgetmenot charm suspended
from his Silkcn 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.
1T is such beautiful design" she
said and held out her hand. MAY
see IT,"
Unclasping the lockct. he laid It In
her palm. Would you mind II |
opened it,"
The singer smiled. 1T took me some
time to find the hidden spring." he
said "Allow me to show you how"
But her ginger unaided had found
the spring Her friends name with
It's curling IL" ard the we'll known
motto were dancing before her eyes.
mir Alalrolm." she said quickly.
this Is strange. Il friend gave me the
very counterpart of this lorkpi several
years ago, ana lost II today in the
park"
THAT was indeed unfortunate" said
the singer THE owner OF this little
charm desired M ]" wcaI /, this even
ing. Sli. has had il for number OF
years"
Ilelpns fingers ti"hirnrd about the
lockpt ~ the MAN head cut his hand
to receive 1t.
Mrs TEN came toward them. Il bevy
Of !aug iiin. girls In her train Mr.
Malcolm" she called. come and be
introduced" The man heStatpd III
you plraSp?" lie said perenplorily
looking II Helen
Reluctantly she surrendered the
golden iriukrt md turned away. Per
haps Nj l.rycp had not deceived her
after all She was strangely pleased
at the thought and decided nj least
TO tell HIM at her new discovery. She
found him sitting III n secluded corner
screened from view by palms and
plants and apparently lost In gloomy
meditation Helen joined him uncere-
moniouSly
81 have seen 1t again." she annOunc.
ed. His face frightened us she en-
tered
- am afraid | do not understand
you" he replied.
"Mr Malcolm IS wearing my lOrket."
she explained. subscription and all
Did yon give II TO him?'
IL never Saw the man before" be
said soipmiuy ''lle has probably been
fortunate enough To find your lost
charm and viii return II 10 you"
Helen shook her head lie says II
is not mine" She looked up ut him
meaningly II suppose 1t has been
loaned to him for AN occasion.
"See herer said MIR. Bryce indig
nantly. He ought to give a better
explanation. You wait here for few
moments while ! hunt the fellow up
and find out"
The girl seemed to have forgotten
her animosity toward Mr.. Bryce
"IIOw good you are" she said. and
the look In her eyes was tiattering.
But when he returned his face wore
perplexed frown.
Ibid you get the locket?" she asked
eagerly. The man avoided her eyes.
at is no longer in his possession"
he said.
"Well. where Is it?' she persisted.
MIR. Bryce spoke very slowly. "He
seemed to think 1t was none OF MY
affair.
II see." said Helen. and her friendly
feeling toward the young man fled
Good evening, Mr.. Bryce"
His tail figure blocked the passage
Zone moment. please. before you go"
he said desperately MAY | call some
time If am able to bring an eXplana'
ton of this annoying AFFAIR.""
"YOu may CALL" she answered weari-
ly, when you can return my lOcket
to me-" He bowed and stood aside
for her to pass
Later. hen He!en's mother was
making her adieuS to Mrs. Tom, Maui
rice Malcolm approached. 81 regret
exceedingly" he said, that am un-
able to give you any information re-
garding that little charm. II | should
at any time find u solution of the mys-
terry may call?
Helen gave an odd little laugh. 81
will be pleased to see you" she said.
when you can bring the lOcket with
you"
"My dear" said her mother as they
were driving home. ARE you not well!
You have been so unlike yourself all
evening"
IL lost I.olita's charm today. moth
err" she answered. and success seems
70 have vanished with It."
A week or two passed and Helen
might have forgotten the lost locket
If the blond young man had not con-
stantly appeared TO remind her She
seemed to meet him everywhere. as
she descended the steps Of her OVID