Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-10-05

oo"Ss chln IN handS. NO two could
nave differed more than these two
women in their blondness and their
prettiness and their wonder. For
Clara was sharp and pale, with silvery
lights In eyes and hair, and confront
ed the facts with an alert and calcu-
lating observation; but Flora was
tawny, toned from brown to ivory
through all the gamut of gold-hair
color OF q panther's hide, eyes dark
nazel. glinting through dust.colored
lashes, chin round like fruit. The
pressure Of her fingers accented the
slight uptilt of her brows to elfish-
ness. and her look was interpretive.
She might. instead Of wondering on
the outside. have been the very center
OF the mystery itself. toying with un
thinkable possibilities Of revelation.
She looked far over the head Of Clara
britton's annoyance that there should
be no clew.
Why. don't you see," she pointed
out. that II Just the fun of It? It
might be anybody. It might be you,
or me. or Ella Butler. Though would
prefer to- think It was some one we
didn't know so well-some one
strange and fascinating, who will pres
emily go slipping out the Golden Gate
in a little junk boat, SO that no one
need be embarrassed"
Clara looked back with extraordi.
nary intentness.
"Oh, it's not possible the thing il
stolen There's some mistake! And
II It were"-her eyes seemed to open
little wider to take in this possi-
pility-they will have detectives all
around the water front by tonight.
ANY one would find 1t dificult to get
away" she pointed out.
OF course: know" Flora muir
INJURED. A faint witch of humor pull.
ed her mouth, but the passionate ro-
mantle color was dying out Of her
race. How was 1t that ones romances
could be so cruelty pulled down to
earth? But still she couldn't quite
come down to Clara. "At least" she
sighed. The has saved me an awful
expense. whoever took 1t, for / should
have had to have it."
Mrs. Britton surveyed this state
ment consideringly. "Was it the most
valuable thing In the collection?
Flora hesitated in the face Of the
alert question. "I-don't know. But
It was the most remarkable. It was a
Chatworth heirloom. the papers say.
and was given to Bessie at the time
OF her marriage" The thought of the
death that had SO quickly followed
that marriage gave Flora little
SILVER. but no shade Of the tragedy
touched Clara. There was nothing
but speculation In Clara's eyes-that.
and little disappointment. Then
they will put on the auction-if It il
really So" she unused.
But there mast be something in 1t.
Clara. Why, they closed the doors
and searched them-that crowd! It's
ridiculous!''
Clara Britton glanced at the empty
place. Then that must be what has
kept him.
Who? oh. Harry" 1t took Flora
moment to remember she had been
expecting Harry. She hoped Clara
had not noticed 1t. Clara always had
too much the assumption that she
was taking him only as the best.look-
Ing. best.natured. safest bargain pre-
scented. "He will be here" she re-.
assured, but l wish he would hurry.
His dinner will be spoiled; and. poor
dear. he likes his dinner SO much!"
The faint silver sound of the cleo.
trtc bell. precipitate double peal.
seemed to uphold this statement. The
women faced each other in mo-
ment's suspense. a moment Of expec-
tation, such as the advance column
may feel at sight of q scout hotfoot
from the field of battle. There were
muffied movements in the hall. sthen
light. even steps crossing the drawing
room. Those light steps always sug-
gested a slight frame. and, as always,
Flora was re-surprised at his bulk az
now 1t appeared between the parted
curtains, the dull black and sharp
white of his evening clothes topped BY
his square. fresh-colored face.
We'll. Flora" he said, II know I'm
late" and took the hand she held to
him from where she sat. Her face
danced with pleasure. Yes, he was
magnificent, she thought. as he cross
ed with his light stride to Mrs. Brit
toms chair. He could even stand the
harsh lines and lights of evening
clothes. He dominated their ugly con.
yention with his height, his face so
ruddy and fresh under the pale brown
of his hair. his alert. assured, deft
movement. His high good nature had
the effect of sweetening for him even
Clara Britton's favorless manner. The
I'VE were speaking Of you" with
which she saw him to his seat, had
all the warmth OF smile, but a smile
far in the background of Flora's i'm.
mediate. possession. Indeed. Flora
had seldom had so much to say to
Harry as at this moment of her ex-
element over what he had actually
seen. For the evidence that he had
seen something was vivid in his face.
She shook the paper at him. "Tell
us everything. INSTANTLY
He gayly acknowledged her right
to make him thus stand and deliver.
He shot his hands into the air with
the Tightening vivacity that was in
him a sort of wit. Not guilty." he
grinned at her.
Harry, you know you were In 1t.
The papers have you the most Inn
portant parsonage"
upon my word! But look here
wait minute!" he arrived deliberate
ly at what was required OF him. III
you want to know the way It hap.
pened here's your Maple room" He
began diagram with forks on the
cloth before him. and Clara, who had
watched their sparring from her point
OF vantage in the background, now
leaned forward, as II at last they were
getting to the point.
"This is the case. furthest from the
door," He planted salt cellar in
his silver Enclosure. II come in very
early. at half-past two. before the
crowd; fail to meet you there" He