The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-03-27

man voice had given speech to it. The
very silence of the others-tor they salq
no word, and a curious hesitation seemed
TO come upon them-impressed the con-
viction OF the montlon, Once in the nail,
my uneasiness became stronger, for there
at n table was the footman l had recog-
niZed. and as he glanced at me when l
passed him his face was knit up as the
face OF man thinking; and he let glass
fall at the very moment we reached the
stairs. What he wished to convey I do
not know: but although I felt there was
danger in leaving the ground floor an
other force dragged me on behind the
colonel. and kept me advancing unhesl-
tatingly until | had reached the end OF
the long picture gallery with him, and he
had knocked upon n door in the eastern
wing of the rambling mansion: What
this force was | do not pretend to eX-
plain. 1t may have been merely the in
fluence of the woman; il may have been
my inherent obstinacy and belief in my
self; or simply lack Of conviction which
forbade any public expression OF the fears
| had fomented. l know only that we
waited for some seconds in the passage
until hospital nurse opened the door
and that / found myself AT last In a very
pretty boudolr. whore a pale and sickly-
looking man was lying upon couch, but
propped up to greet us, Inc tormalitles
Of INTRODUCTION were accomplished by the
colonel with great suavity and grace. and
the nurse having set chairs, at the side of
the sick mans couch, and placed table
there, she withdrew, and we were ready
That you would understand what hap
pened in the next few minutes it is ne
cessary for me 10 say word upon the
construction OF the boudoir 1t was room
hung in pink silk and white. and IL had
two doors in il, giving off to other rooms
whose size l could not see since they were
in darkness. For light we had a lamp
with a white shade upon the invaid's
table, and two others upon the mantel
shelf; while we were seated in fashion
that ailayed any fears ! might have had
Of personal and sudden attack, The col
opel lounged In an American rocking
chair. he being nearest to the head Of the
couch: his daughter leaned back against
a huhlworll cabinet. she being n little
way from the sick mans feet; had IL
| brary- chair. and was alone in an attitude
which would allow me to spring to my
defence-if necessary-without delay. /
| looked too. at Hermann Rudisic the coll
| tempt for his physical powers was my
first thought / was convinced that II it
were question OF night, l could hold the
| two men till Abel who was In the serv
ants hall. came to my assistance; and
| while the others were present ] had no
/ fears of those Vaccinations which are
chiefly the property OF imaginative fiction
makers. This knowledge gave to me my
nerve again. and without more ado took
the case from my pocket and showed the
stone.
The vision Of the glorious gem. ripllng
on It's surface with myriad lights. white,
and golden. and many-colored, in the
| play of radiating fire, was one that com
PEELED the silence of amazed admiration
| for many minutes. Margaret Klein spoke
| her face bent to the diamond so that
its waves OF color seemed 10 float up 10
her ravished eyes. and with a little cry
wrung from her satisfaction she said
"Oh, MIR. Sutton, it's 100 beautiful to
look att!
II am glad that il does not disappoint. ."
said /.
1T would dlsappout no one" the in
valid said, stretching out hand which
| trembled 10 draw the treasure closer
| TO his eyes
IT'S the whitest stone I've seen for
| three years" the colonel remarked coolly,
and then. as with new thought, he
| added:
II believe it's winter than the Bra
! lillian stone in my old ring. i should
| like TO compare them. II you'll let me!
| The other stuff is In my dressing room
| there; Margaret, will you get it?"
He gave her his keys, and taking 3
lamp from the shelf. she passed into
the chamber, which was behind me. In
the same moment Rudisic asked his host
| TO prop him up higher upon the couch
! and the colonel had just begun 10 place
the pillows when | heard Margaret's
voice crying:
Father. 1 can't open the drawer, It's
stuck. do come and help"
1t was an act OF consummate folly
| that ] concede you; but / was so COM
J pletely unaware Of any Gigps-o Iicker