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

ways been a favorite at the academy
write often. DEAR" she said. cling
Ing to Helen. land wear this little
locket, which have designed. that
you will not forget me. May my wish
come true and success ever attend
YOU"
The locket was square golden one
and a turquoise forgetmenot with a
diamond center decorated the cover,
which flew open when one pressed Il
tiny spring, disclosing the words
"FrOm Lolita. Success Attend You.
Letters passed between the two girls
at first. but now. after three or four
years. II was often with feelings OF
deep conjunction that Helen would
write to her long neglected friend
while the locket glistened Mt her
throat Then one day II slipped from
its golden chain and changed the
course Of Helen's life. Though late
In November. the weather was delight
full, and she decided to walk through
the park ON her way to the library.
The bright sunshine tempted her to
rest for moment upon park bench,
and 1t was not until she had selected
q book at the library that she noticed
the chain hanging empty and reii;n"d
her steps, searching all the way for
the little charm A young man was
sitting upon the bench which she had
so lately vacated, u big blond man IL
a gray tweed suit He glanced up II;
her as she approached. then continued
writing hastily in notebook. Helen
looked ut him for moment startled
and then relieved. for silk fob was
dangling from his watch pocket and
from it suspended her own little lock
ct. Evidently the man had clasped 1t
there awaiting the return OF the own
er. Helen seated herself upon the OPP
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
thing%
Eyes, .ndeed." Helen told him. 81
dropped square gold docket here
short time ago." lnyoluntarily her
eyes sought his fob.
"Why, that's too bad" said the man
genially. "Allow me TO help you lock
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. at has evident
" beep<'picked up. Was the lockei
very valuable"
81 wouldn't have parted with It for
anything in the world" she said en-
phatically.
"Well. I'll tell you what to do" said
the man. resuming his seat-"advertise
in the papers and offer reward
Some one may bring 1t back"
Helen sat down upon the bench quite
bewildered. Surely the man could not
fiaunt the locket before her very eyes
In that manner If he were guilty. Per-
haps, after all.' there were other for
getmenot charms with diamond CEN
tiers. If she could only press the tiny
hidden spring she would know at once
the rightful owner. But how could
u;i1IiIl you let me see the III
cket. for I believe IL TO
ccurred to her. Upon
Pof his notebook was
"John w. Bryce
Ading." She would
4 very afternoon. send
Ssenger and. quoting
plion, prove her claim
Dooubt And 1t would be so
,I!ucl h easier to write upon this delicate
subject than to speak. AS she bur
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 basty note
1t began very abruptly:
The Iocket which you saw me wearing
this afternoon is no longer In my pos
session. Not having opened II. am un
able to satisfy you regarding the inscrip
ton. but can assure you very positively
that the iocket was not the one which
you lost. Truly yours.
JOHN W. BRYCE.
WELL" exclaimed Helen. "Of all the
coolness! No longer in his possession
and no explanation whatever" 4
Her cheeks were still burning with
indignation when. accompanied by her
mother, she Joined the gay thr0ng In
Mrs. Toms brilliantly lighted home
She was the center of little laughing
group when her hostess approached
Helen, DEAR" she said. "let me intro
duce you to Toms friend. who viii
take you in to supper" And Helen
turned to face the tall young man wh'
bad been her companion upon the parl
bench. -
Instinctively her eyes sought his
watch pocket as he bowed stiffly. The
locket was no longer there. Almost in
silence they descended the stairs and
took their places at one Of the small
tables.
At length Helen introduced the for
hidden subject. II received your note"
she said, "just before came"
Mr.. Bryce flushed to the roots of his
blond hair. 1T Is unfortunate" he
said, "that | am unable to show you
the locke.. If there had been. the |
slightest chance of its having been
yours / would have given 1t to you
when you told me Of your loss. The
fact Is the locket was merely loaned
% me for-er-an occasion"
TO take a walk in the park. per-
10 no cuoOoctod uolop cuaat1v DC aha |