Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1910-12-02

into the g0luSmltn'S eyes came
flash of intelligence, such as
Flora remembered to have seen there
when Farrell Wand, leaning on the
dusty counter, had hidden him go and
bring something pretty. He seemed
to culver a moment in indecision.
Then he whipped his hand out Of his
sleeve and held it forth palm upward.
This time 1t was Chatworth who cried
out. The thing that lay on the gold.
smiths palm Flora had never seen.
though once It had been described to
her" bit of an old gold heather
god, curled around himself, with his
head Of two yellow sapphires and a
big blue stone on top"
There it blazed at her, the Jewel
she had carried in her bosom, that
she had hidden in her pouch Of gold,
and that had vanished from It at the
touch of magic hand, now cunningly
restored to its right place in the fore
head of the Crew Idol, browning him
with living light.
Speeches. they looked together at
the magic thing. They had thought II
far at sea; and as II at wave Of
genii's wand it was here before them
flashing in the quiet garden.
With an effort Chatworth seemed to
keep himself from seizing on ring
and man together He looked search
ingly at the goldsmith and seemed on
the point Of asking question. but.
instead, he slowly held out his hand.
He held 1t out cup-fashion. 1t shook
so that Flora saw the Chinaman
steady 1t to drop in the ring. Then.
folding his check miraculously small,
enveloping it in the ragged piece OF
newspaper, the little man turned and
shuffled from them down the gravel
walk
Chatworth stood staring after him
with his idol In his palm. Then, turn
ing slow eyes to Flora, How did he
come by this?" he asked, as sternly as
if he demanded it of the mystery II.
SELF
"He had 1t, from the very first"
The pieces of the puzzle were flashing
together in Flora's mind. "That first
time Harry left the. exhibit exhibit he . .oos
lsit there"
But the blue sapphire?" Chatworth
insisted.
Harry" Flora whispered, Harry
gave it up to him."
Gave 1t up to him!" Chatworth
echoed in scorn.
But she had had an inspiration Of
understanding. HE had to-for
money to get off with. He gave Clara
all he had so that she would let him
get away. Poor thing!" she added in
a lower breath, but Chatworth did not
hear her. He had taken the Idol In
his thumb and finger, and, holding II
up in the broadening light, looked
fixedly at it with the passionate in.
credulity with which one might hold
and look at friend thought dead.
She watched him with her jealous
pang increasing to greater feeling
feeling of being separated from him
by this jewel which he loved, and
which had grown to seem hateful to
her, which had shown itself breeder
Of all the greedy passions. She came
softly up to him, and, lifting her
hand, covered the Idol
He turned toward her in wonder.
"Ah, you love it too much" she
whispered
That's unworthy of you," he re-
preached her. II have loved you
more; and that in spite of what
believed of you, and what this means
TO me. To me, this ring is not q
pretty thing seen yesterday. It ID
the symbol of my family. 1t is the
power and pride of us, which our
women have worn on their hands as
they have worn our honor in their
hearts. 1t is part of the life of my
people; and now it has made itself
part of our life, of yours and mine.
Shall ever forget how starkly you
held it for the sake q my honor,
even against myself? Should ever
have known you without it?" He
put the ring into her hard, and, smil
ing with his old dare, held 1t over the
fountain. Nov, if you want to- drop
it in" He released her hand and
turned to leave her to her will.
For moment she stood with power
in her hands and her eyes on his
averted head. Then with a little
rush she crossed the space between
them. Here, take It! You love It!
want you to keep It! but can't for
get the dreadful things It has made
people do. 1t makes me afraid"
In spite of his smiling he seemed to
her very grave. you dear, silly
child! The whole storm and trouble
of life comes from things being in
the wrong place. This has been in
the wrong place and made mischief"
Like me-" she murmured.
Like you" he agreed. Nov we
shall be as we should be. Give me
your hand"
He drew off all the rings with
which she had once tried to dim the
sparkle of the sapphire, and, drop.
ping them into his pocket like SO
much dross, slipped on the Idol that
covered her third finger in a splendid
bar from knuckle to joint. Holding
her by just the tip Of that finger, lean.
ing back little, he looked into heI
eyes, and she, looking back, knew that
"A ..1al1l 49,. -