Putnam patriot., 1910-07-22
Ghe LOcket: : Charm By AGNES G. BROGAN i; caa right. fS1a. by American Press {
 Association. {


 bade her friends q fearful M farewell and went 10 live at
 the other side of the world. ro.,ta. merry, wealthy and wise. had al- VII been a favorite at the academy.
 write often. dear" she said, cling ,ur .o Helen. and wear this little leska.. which have designed, that YOU VII not forget me. May my wish come true and success ever attend yeu.
 Tde loeket was a square golden one. and turquoise forgetmenot with diamond center decorated the cover. whiel flew open when one pressed tiny spring. disclosing the words: aTron Lolita. Success Attend You.
 Letters passed between the two girls At first, but now. 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 1t slipped from its golden chain and changed the course of Helen's life. Though late in November the weather was delight fuI. and she decided to walk through the park on her way to the library. The bright sunshine tempted her to rest for moment upon a park bench, and it was not until she had selected q hoek 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. a big blond man in gray tweed suit He glanced up at her as she approached. then continued writing hastily in a notebook. Helen locked at him for a moment startled and then relieved. for a silk fob was dangling from his watch pocket and from II suspended her own little lock ct Evidently the man had clasped 1t there awaiting the return of the own- CT 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 thingf"
 "Yes. indeed.s Helen told him. "l dropped square gold loeket here a short time ago" Involuntarily her eyes sought his fob.
 "Why. that's too bad" said the man genially. 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. Tt has evident iy been picked up. Was the iocket very valuabie?"
 T wouldn't have parted with 1t for anything in the world" she said em- phatically.
 Well. I'll tell you what to do," said the man. resuming his seat-"advertise in the papers and offer a reward. Seme one may bring It back"
 Helen sat down upon the bench quite bewildered. Surely the man could not uduIl iue iOCket OclOte NCis OtNe in that manner If he were guilty. Per haps. after all there were other for getmenot charms with diamond cen ters If 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 in- side of that locket, for 1 believe 1t to be mine?"
 Then an idea occurred to her. Upon the leather cover of his notebook was lettered distinctly. John ". Bryce, 1s 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 nasty note II began very abruptly:
 The iocket which you saw me wearing this afternoon Is no longer in my pos session Not having opened II. l am un- ab.e to satisfy you regarding the inserip- ton but can assure you very positively that the iocket was not the one which you lost. Truly yours.
 JOHN W. BRYCE.
 We'll" exclaimed Helen. .of all the coolness. No longer in his possession and no explanation whatever
 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 a little laughing group when her hostess approached Helen. dear," she said. ''let me intro dnce 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.
 tnstinctively her eyes sought his watch pocket as he bowed stiff1y. The iocket was no longer there Almost iu silence they descended the stairs ana took their places at one of the small tables.
 At length Helen introduced the for bidden subject. "I received your note. she said. -just before came"
 MT. Bryce flushed to the roots Of his blond hair. .It Is unfortunate, ne said. that am unable to show you the iocket If there had been the slightest chance of its having been yours I would have given 1t to you when you told me of your loss. The fact is the locket vas merely loaned