Mexico Missouri message., 1910-01-27
CHAPTER Il.-contInued.

IV lCHAPTER ll9-ContlnueG.
Lady Maud laid her left hand affec-
'tionately on the mans right, which
was uppermost on hers, and her voice
rippled with happiness.
"If you had only said lark instead
of hen, Rufus!" she laughed.
I'VE could get along lot better
without larks than without hens" an
swered her friend philosophically.
"But I'll make it a nightingale next
time, If can remember, or a bald
eagle, or any bird that strikes you as
cheerful"
The terrible mouth had relaxed al
most to gentleness, and the fierce blue
eyes were suddenly kind as they looked
into the woman's face. She led him
ito an old-fashioned sofa, their hands
parted, and they sat down side by
side
"Chee rful," he said, in tone of re-
Election. "Yes, Pm feeling pretty
f,cheerful, and it's all over and set
Ntled."
n do you mean the trouble you were
'lIdn last spring?"
"N-no-not that, though 1t wasn't
( as funny as Sunday school treat
I while it lasted, and was thankful
when it was through. It's another
matter altogether that I'm cheerful
about--besides seeing you, my dear.
I've done it, Maud. I've done it at
last"
"What?"
I've sold my interest in the Trust.
1t won't be made known for some
time, SO don't talk about it, please.
But it's settled and done. and I've got
the money"
you have sold the Nickel Trust?
Lady Mauds lips remained parted
in surprise.
"And I've bought you little pres
ent with the proceeds" he answered
putting his large thumb and finger
into the pocket of bis white walstcoat
TITS only a. funny little bit of glass
!, / picked up" he continued, producing
small twist of stiff writing paper.
"You needn't think it's so very fine!
] But it's a pretty color, and when
iyou're out of mourning 1 daresay
you'll make hatpin of it. like hand
come hatpins myself, you know"
He had untwisted the paper while
4 speaking, 1t lay open in the palm of
4 his hand, and Lady Maud saw stone
of the size of an ordinary hazel nut,
very perfectly cut, and of that won
derful transparent red color which is
\ known as pigeons blood" and which
\ it is almost impossible to describe.
y s.lA fy,fv thrOa,0la EnFcfon
leaf sherbet upon white silk makes a
h little patch of color that is perhaps
more like it than any other shade of
4 red, but not many Europeans have ever
4 seen that, and it is good deal easier
\ TO 60 and look at a pigeons blood
! ruby in jewelers. window.
what a beautiful color!" ex-
claimed Lady Maud innocently, after a
moment. II didn't know they imi-
tated rubies so we'll, though, Of course,
/ know nothing about it. If it were
not an impossiblity, should take it
for real one"
$50 should l." assented Mr.. Van
Torp quietly. 'It'n make a pretty hat
pin anyway. Shall have it mounted
for your"
Thanks, awfully, but think /
should like to keep 1t as it is for a
little while. It's such a lovely color.
Just as II is. Thank you so much!
DO tell me where you got IT,"
"Oh. well. there was sort Of a
traveller came to New York the other
day selling them what they call priv
ately. ! guess he must be Russian
or something. for he has a kind of an
ofl-look OF your husband, only he
wears a beard and an eyeglass, II
must be about the eyes. Maybe the
forehead, too. He'll most likely tura
up IN London one of these days to sell
this invention. or whatever it is"
Lady Maud said nothing to this, but
abe took the stone from his hand
looked at It some time with evident
admiration, and then set 1t down on
It's bit of paper, upon little table
by the end Of the sofa
e'If ] were you, ] wouldn't leave II
around much observed Mr. Van TORI
carelessly. Somebody might take 8
fancy to It. The color's attractive
you see, and 1t looks like real.n
"oh. I'll be very careful OF It. never
feari can't tell you how much
like ik,r She twisted it up tightly II
its bit Of paper rose 10 hef feet, and
Put L away IN her writing table.