The Marshall republican., 1910-09-09

AlASAN ga was lulilCo II
a babe her friends a fearful
wv farewell and went to live at
the other side of the world.
Lolita, merry, wealthy and wise, had al
ways been a favorite at the academy.
write often, DEAR" she said, cling
Ing to Helen, land wear this little
locket, which l have designed, that
you will not forget me. May my wish
come true and success ever attend
you"
The locket was a square golden one,
and a turquoise forgetmenot with a
diamond center decorated the cover,
which flew open when one pressed a
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, 1t was often with feelings Of
1eep conjunction that Helen would
write to her long neglected friend,
while the locket glistened at her
throat. Then one day it 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 a moment upon a park bench,
and 1t was not until she had selected
a book ut the library that she noticed
the chain hanging empty and retraced
her steps, searching all the way for
the little charm. A young man was
sitting upon the bench which she had
SO lately vacated, a big blond man in
a gray tweed suit. He glanced up at
her as she approached, then continued
writing hastily in a notebook. Helen
looked at him for a moment startled
and then relieved, for a silk fob vas
dangling from his watch pocket and
from 1t suspended her W little lock-
ct. Evidently the man had clasped it
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 subject7
Pardon me-" said the man, rising,
hat in hand. "Have you lost any.
thing?"
Eyes, indeed" Helen told him. Il
dropped a square gold locket here a
short time ago." Involuntary her
eyes sought his fob.
why, that's too bad" said the man
genially. ALLOW me to help you look
for it."
She stood amazed as he searched the
gravel with his cane and even remov
ed the heavy bench, going down upor
his knees to look beneath it. Seems
TO have disappeared" he said. rising
flushed and troubled. at has evident
ly been picked up. Was the lockel
very valuable?"
81 wouldn't have parted with it fol
anything in the world" she said EN-
phatically.
"Well. I'll tell you what to do" said
the man, resuming his seat-"advertist
In the papers and offer a reward
Some one may bring It back"
Helen sat down upon the bench quite
bewildered. Surely the man could no
iaunt the locket before her very eyes
in that manner II he were guilty. Per
haps. after all, there were other for
getmenot charms with diamond cen
tiers. II she could only press the tin!
hidden spring she would know at ono
, the rightful owner. But how coult
she say. "WiIl you let me see the in
side of that locket, for l believe It e
be miner
Then an idea occurred to her. Upor
I the leather cover Of his notebook wa
r iettered distinctly. John W. Bryce
r 70 Citizens Building" She would
+ write a letter that very afternoon, sent
1t by special messenger and. quotin;
Lofita's inscription, prove her CLAIM
beyond all doubt. And 1t would be 81
much easier to write upon this delicate
b subject than to speak. As she hur
ried away the man raised his hat ant
walked In an opposite direction.
When Helen vas dressing for Mrs
. Toms reception that evening she wal
handed the reply TO her hasty note
Alt began very abruptly:
q The locket which you saw me wearing
this afternoon II no longer In my pos
session. Not having opened II. / am un
!. able to patisfy you regarding the inscrip
tion. but can assure you very positivel,
that the locket was not the one whicl
q yoa inses Truly Your
JOHN w. BRYCE
We'll" exclaimed Helen. -or all tn
coofnessl No longer in his possession
and no explanation whatever"
Her cheeks were still burning wit
. Indignation when, accompanied by he
mother, she Joined the gay throng 1
I Mrs. Toms brilliantly lighted home
Y She was the center of q little laughin
y group when her hostess approached
Helen. DEAR" she said, 'let me Intro
duce you to Toms friend, who wi
take you In to supper" And Hele
turned to face the tall young man VIII
had been her companion upon the par
bench. &
Instinctively her eyes sought hi
watch pocket as he bowed stiiay. Th
locket was no longer there. Almost !
silence they descended the stairs an
took their places at one OF the sma