Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1910-11-10

G.V II
long as she had the sapphire upon
her. She recalled fearfully the mo
ment when she had crouched against
the window with her hand protecting
the Jewel, and Harry's hand grasping
her wrist. He would know we'll enough
where to find it now. oh, the restless
u~nconcealable thing! Where could
she hide it?
She took the pear-shaped pouch
that swung always before her on her
long gold chain. She had r~epudiated
that hiding-place before, but now the
more obvious the better-now that
both men supposed she carried the
jewel far hidden out of sight. With
out removing from the bed where she
was crouched, cramped and cold, she
made the exchange, leaving the chain
still around her neck, dropping the
jewel into the pouch, where it would
swing free, so carelessly dangling as
to be beyond suspicion, but never be-
yond the reach of her hand.
1t was a pale, splendid dawning full
of clouds when she fell asleep.
Broad sunlight filled her room when
she was awakened by a knocking at
her door. She sprang from the bed
and went to 1t. She was not to be
come in upon by any unwelcome WIS.,
itor. But it was Mrs. Herrick; and
Flora, with a murmur of relief, since
this was the one person she did want
to see, drew her inside.
why, my child, you haven't slept,
at least not properly" Mrs. Herrick
herself looked anxious and weary.
1--WE come to tell you that Mrs. Brit
ton is here, She came an hour ago."
where is she?"
SIN the breakfast-room with Mr..
C~ressy."
"oh," Flora cried, "you know I
didn't expect them. 1 didn't want
them. 1t wasn't for them l asked you
to come"
But can't you tell me what it is
you're afraid OFF" the other urged.
Between us can't we prevent it? Is
there nothing | can do to help you?"
"Ah, if you knew how much you
have already helped me by just being
here"
Her companion laughed a little
Cant I do something more active
than that?"
Flora pondered. Where is Mr.
Kerr?"
I'm the garden, in the willow walk
do you think you can manage that
the others don't get at him?"
IT can; If he doesn't want to get a
Them" Mrs. Herrick replied. "Agains'
a man like that, my DEAR" she aimed
it gravely at Flora, zone can do moth
ing"
But Flora had no answer for thu
, warning. ~ must see Clara immedi
ately," she said.
3 "But not without breakfast" Mrs
Herrick protested. II will send yol
, up something. Remember that sh'
. never abuses herself, so she's Away
: fresh-and so she's always equal t.
> the occasion"
Mrs. Herrick went. Flora lookeC
into the mirror. Almost for the frs
time in ten days she thought Of he
q appearance. If it was, as Mrs. Hell
rick said, a factor of success, some
l thing must be done for it, for 1t wa
dreadful. The best she could do re
f vived a pale replica of the vivid cree
ture who had been wont to regard he
from her glass. Yet her black gow1
o. thin and trailing far behind her, an
her hair wound high, by very fore
: Of their contrasted color, gave her
- real b~rilliance as they gave her
- seeming height. But she descende
to the breakfast-room with trepid;
ton, and stood a full minute befor
the door gathering courage to go in.
II When she did open it, it vas S
r. suddenly that both occupants face
n her with a start. They were STAN
ing close together, and between then
on the glare Of the white table-clotl
- lay a little heap of gold. AS the
peered at her she saw that both wei
- highly excited, but in Clara it shove
like a cold sparkle; in Harry
gloomed like a menace. His har
lowered, clenched, above the none
= in a panic of irresolution; then, as
- with an involuntary relax of nerve
u opened and let fall one last piece
a gold. Like a flash the whole disa
y peared in a sweep of Clara's hand.
~ passed before Fora's eyes like
prestidigitator's trick, so rapid as
seem unreal, and left her staring. Ha
ry gave Clara a look, half suspicion
!, half %entreating; and then, to Flora
y. establishment, turned away without
- word to either Of them.
Clara stood still, even after Il
door had closed upon Harry, and cd
ly, and rather horribly, she wore t
same aspect she had worn the d
when she had looked intently and q
: sorbedly upon the rifed contents