The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1910-01-27
CHAPTER li.-Continued.

Lady Maud laid her left hand aHec-
tionately on the mans right, which
was uppermost on hers. and her voice
rippled with happiness.
IF you had only said a lark instead
of hen, Rufus!" she laughed.
"We could get along a 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 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
to an old-fashioned sofa, their hands
parted and they sat down side by
side.
"Cheerful," he said, in tone of re-
fiection Yes, I'm feeling pretty
cheerful, and it's all over and set
tied"
do you mean the trouble you were
in last spring."
"N-no-not that, though 1t wasn't
as funny as Sunday school treat
while it lasted, and l 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 1t at
last
"What?"
"Ive sold my interest in the Trust.
It won't be made known for some
time, SO don't talk about 1t, please.
But it's settled and done, and I've got
the money"
"You have sold the Nickel Trust?"
Lady Maud's lips remained parted
In surprise.
"And I've bought you little pres
emit with the proceeds" he answered
putting his large thumb and finger
| into the pocket of his white walstcoat
TITS only a funny little bit of glass
j 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
you're out of mourning l daresay
you'll make hatpin of it. like hand
some hatpins myself, you know"
He had UNFINISHED the paper while
speaking, it lay open in the palm OF
his hand, and Lady Maud saw a 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
1t is almost impossible to describe
Sunlight shining through Persian rose
leaf sherbet upon white silk makes 6
little patch of color that is perhaps
more like it than any other shade o.
red, but not many Europeans have ever
seen that, and 1t is a good deal easier
to go and look at a pigeons blood
ruby in jewelers. window
What a beautiful color" ex
claimed Lady Maud innocently, after {
moment. Il didn't know they imi
tated rubies so we'll though of course
know nothing about it. If it were
not an impossiblity, l should take i
for real one"
Torp quietly. "Itll make pretty hat
pin anyway. Shall l have it mounted
for you?"
Thanks, awfully, but think
should like to keep it as it is for {
little while. It's such lovely color
Just as it is, Thank you so much
Do tell me where you got it,"
"Oh. well, there was a sort OF
traveller came to New York the othe
day selling them what they call priv
ately | guess he must be Russian
or something, for he has a kind of al
of-look of your husband, only h,
wears a beard and an eyeglass.
must be about the eyes. Maybe thu
forehead, too He'll most likely turn
up in London one of these days to sci
this invention, or whatever it is"
Lady Maud said nothing to this Blu
she took the stone from his hand
looked at it some time with eviden
admiration, and then set it down OF
Its bit of paper, upon little tabl
by the end of the sofa.
IF | We're you, | wouldn't leave /
around much" observed Mr.. Van Tor
carelessly. Somebody might take
fancy to it, The color's attractive
you see, and it looks like real"
"Oh, I'll be very careful of it, neve
fear! can't tell you how much
like it," She twisted it up tightly 4
It's bit of paper. rose to her feet, an
put 1t away in her writing table.