Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-08-16

my song success"
But Helen was staring incredulously
at the forgetmenot charm suspended
from his silken fob. "Who gave you
that locket7" she demanded curtly
The singer Strengthened suddenly and
looked surprised.
81 beg your pardon" he said coldly
Then she smiled.
at is such beautiful design" she
said and held out her hand. MAY
see it?"
Unclasping the locket he laid It in
her palm. would you mind II
opened it,"
The singer smiled. ut took ne some
time to find the hidden spring." be
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 SAID quickly.
"this Is strange; a friend gave me the
very counterpart Of this locket several
years ago. and I lost 1t today in the
park"
"rhat 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 q number OF
years."
Helen's fingers tightened about the
locket as the man held out his hand
to receive 1t.
Mrs. Tom came toward them. bevy
Of laughing girls in her train. "Mr.
Malcolm" she called. come and be
introduced" The man hesitated. III
you please?" he said peremptorily.
looking at Helen.
Reluctantly she surrendered the
golden trinket and turned away. Per.
haps Mr.. Bryce had not deceived her
after all. She was strangely pleased
at the thought and decided ut least
to tell him cf her new discovery. She
found him sitting In secluded corner,
screened from view by palms and
plants and apparently lost in gloomy
meditation Helen Joined him uncere-
moniously.
II have seen 1t again." she announc-
ed. His face frightened as she en-
tered.
81 am afraid do not understand
you." he replied.
"Mr Malcolm IS wearing my locket,"
she explained. inscription and all
Did you give 1t to him?"
T never saw the man before" he
said solemnly He has probably been
fortunate enough to fnd your lost
charm and will return 1t to you"
Helen shook her head. "He says 1t
Is not mine" She looked up ut him
meaningly. II suppose 1t has been
loaned to him for an OCCASION
"See herer said Mr.. Bryce indig-
nantly. "He ought to give better
explanation. You wait here for few
moments while l hunt the fellow up
and find out"
The girl seemed to have forgotten
her animosity toward Mr. Bryce.
"How good you are" she said, and
the look In her eyes was fattering.
But when he returned his face wore
a perplexed frown.
"Did 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.
Mr.. 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 fed
Good evening. Mr.. Bryce"
His tall figure blocked the passage.
"One moment. please, before you Co."
he said desperately. May I 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, when Helen's mother was
making her adieus to Mrs. Tom, Maui
rice Malcolm approached. II regret
exceedingly" he said. that I am un-
able to give you any information re-
garding that little charm. II should
at any time find a solution Of the mys-
terry may l callr'
Helen gave an odd little laugh. II
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 wellf
You have been 30 unlike yourself all
evening""
II lost Lolita's charm today, moth
er." she answered. "and success seems
to 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 own
home or waited for a car at the cor.
ner, and once he had been sitting upon
the well remembered bench as she
happened to walk through the park.
Upon each Of the occasions she mere
" inclined her head in greeting and
passed on. One morning the florist
had delivered q box with the card OF
Mr.. Bryce attached, and as Helen re-
moved the tissue wrappings from the
bouquet Of blue eyed forgetmenots
she wished heartily that Lolita had
never made her a parting gift.
This same morning. while she was
On a shopping tour. the young rector
Of Trinity church came and sat In the
cross seat beside her. She was ad-
miring his clean cut features when be
produced his watch and gazed at 1t
reflectively. Helen sat upright with
a start A small square iocket lay IN
his palm, and its forgetmenot setting
seemed to be winking at her. She
drew her hand across her eyes. ITS
my Imagination" she told herself re-
signedly; probably do not see these
charms at ALL"
The rector studied the locket atten
lively. Presently he found the spring.
the case few open. and Helen read:
From Lolita. Success Attend You"
81 ought to tell him about 1t now"
she thought, "for In a few minutes It
will not be In bis possession" But