The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-10-02

Copyright. 1910. by the New York Herald c.. All Rights Reservcd1
- HE first time 1 noticed the girl was the day
saw Harvey Danforth bending over her
counter. She was showing a diamond brooch
to him; he was gazing at the pair of jewels
that passed for her eyes. They weren't dia-
monds, those eyes. but great limpid s%apphires.
needing only a touch Of fire to make them brilliant.
I hesitate a moment. wondering whether I should
approach Harvey and save her the unhappy cXperi-
ence of having him waken the light i'll them.
During my two months continuous performance
as shopper for G.. Granny & Co. by day and
gay %disporter in the social matrimonial sea by night
I had merged the double bill without having to per-
form on one stage in hours set aside for the other.
But now at a safe distance l watched Harvey Dan
forth and determined to keep on watching him. not so
much because it was my duty to report 10 CRANKY Il
Co. any tendency to Irritation across their counters.
hut for the very simple reason that I knew Harvey
Danforth. Likewise l knew the loyal little girl who
had married him in spite of parental warning rs to
the responsibility of his life and bank account.
Finally, 1 was aware that If Harvey were buying
jewels lie would not be apt to 60 to a department store
for them. even though Granny & Co. a:l pride them
selves on carrying the finest line of its kind in the
city. 1t was evident that he bad come for that
pair Of %sapphires held up now 10 his inspection. They
certainly were worth examinins-so was the fringe
of gold surrounding them. But that was lot Harvey's
affair.
At last l saw him take up the brooch with his usual
leisurely grace. his handsome eyes on the hard white
stones that glittered tenptingly. daring him to make
them his. But after a second the diamonds were
thrust aside and back came his gaze to those twin
s%apphires. Then l thought it time to appear upon
the scene. I marched up to the counter intent upon
pricing a bar pin. caught sight of Harvey and started
toward him in surprise.
"why. hello:.' I cried. hand extended. Buying
something pretty for L.aura?"
The mention of his wife's name brought him about
with an unexpected bound. Yet in a breath he re-.
gained his composure. He leaned back against the
counter. staring down at me with an insolent admira.
ton that made me bristle like a we'll eouipped porcu.
pine.
Looking very fit" he commented. pushing the tray
OF jewels aside. Come and walk up the avenue with
me-" And he moved away without a backward
glance.
1t wasn't until later in the day, after I had ESCAPED
Harvey and completed my tour Of the shops, that the
temptation to have another glance at the pair Of san.
phires came upon me. They were clouded as 1 looked
into them over the barpin I made a pretence of re.
examining. I wondered whether today's visit had
been Harvey's first. Perhaps the Irritation was Of
long standing and I bad just come upon it.
"Who Is the Little Grip"
OF course you'll say 1t was none Of my concern,
that I was young and new enough in the affairs of
the world to need taking care Of myself. But please
remember when you Judge, Oh men, that there is
something intensely appealing in a pair Of hawless
sapphires yelled with gold. You'll admit that much,
won't you? That evening I sought out Josiah Hunts
CONFIDENTIAL man, the wizard whose hand set in
motion and controlled the machinery Of CRANKY & Co.
MI. Colvert," I said, after 1 had handed in nv
report, who is the dainty little girl at the jewelry
counter? She's new, isn't she?"
ORiOO Hn1~o~k oHi,,c&oI 1t
them quickly, staring me in the face. "Any com.
plant to make:' he asked abruptly.
mo. I just wanted to know her name. that's all"
Nora Evans" he answered tersely, "and don't let
her baby face get you, too" He emphasized the
you" with a touch Of impatience.
l stared at him curiously. ooh, then, you know
herr"
"1?' He shook himself free Of the imputation like
a thoroughbred whisking off an importunate ay. 81
should say not. But she's hypnotized one Of the de-
t%ectives, according to reports-a big. reliable fellow
TOO. They say he spends so much time looking at
Jewelry that anybody could walk past him with a
turkish rug under one arm and he'd be no wiser"
He turned aside with a gesture Of disgust. "And
hes not the only one. There's been a premium on
jewelry since we put her in the department. But
don't YOU fall under the spell. You're a woman. and
you've got horse sense"
Yet the face of the little girl held rather the look
OF an Cndine with soul unawakened than that Of a
Gree, conscious OF power and the way to use it. True.
there were possibilities in those eyes. They fascinated
even me; I've always declared good material for a man
was wasted when fate created me a woman! For
days after my attention was first called to her 1 could
not pass up or down that aisle without feeling nv
glance stray in her direction.
And then, one noon hour, I caught a glimpse Of her
In the street. She passed me with eyes downcast. but
something new In the aspect Of the soft mouth struck
me at once, a sudden tense look L had never before
noticed. 1t puzzled me. AS she turned the corner I
fell back a step, then stopped short so suddenly that
I damned the tide of humanity surglng behind me.
She had hurried around that corner and practically
into Harvey Danforth's arms! 1t happened so quickly
that I was the only one to lose my place In the
crowd. There was no start Of surprise; the way he
took his place at her side proved conclusively that
the meeting had been prearranged.
A Meddler.
Now, Of course, you'll call me a meddler! But only
q saint could have brought herself to turn back
when circumstances flung her into the path of such q
discovery. Besides, 1t wasn't the possibility of scan.
dal that held me; I was too fond of Laura Danforth
to relish that. No, it was the sudden lifting Of those
gold fringes and the dazzling light that shot into the
twin %sapphires as the girl caught Harvey's arm. and