The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-27
THE EVENING STORY
The Jade Bracelet.
NV Philin Keanl


oriental behind the counter.
Phyllis coveted it from the moment 1
her eyes rested upon it Nothing else
in the store had any charm for her |
Even the teapots, fat little silver /
things with iris for decoration, had |
no charm.
Marion tried to interest her in |
trays. in embroideries. and in the
ivory carvings, but Phyllis would /
wander back from these things to the |
nttle corner where the strange jewelry |
of the East was laid out.
You see, I need something to |
Dr1ng me good luck" Phyllis said to !
Marion. Everything has gone wrong |
with me for months" But the price |
was prohibitive. When Phyllis heard
1t she sighed and pushed the bracelet |
away. THAT settles it, she said, |
but it is a beauty
The big Chinaman tried to make |
bargain. He came down one dollar
and then two, but Phyllis shook her
head.
1T would take the price of a i
story she said, and. not compre-
hending, he shrugged his shoulders,
and laid the bracelet back on the
square of black satin.
If only | were sure of selling a
story" Phyllis said to Marion when
they came out of the incense scented
shop. 'I might venture some extrava-
gance, but 1 have lost my grip. II
can't think of plot, and my style is
atrocious.''
When they reached home the two
girls had frugal supper, and then
Phyllis began to write. After an hour
or so she tore up all that she had
written and began afresh- At the top
| of the sheet she wrote ''The Jade
Bracelet" The warm, fragrant, dim
fascination of the little shop was upon
her and she wove a tale of mystery
and of vivid interest
/ IF sell it," she said. ''I'll buy the
bracelet"
IF you sell it, Marion told her.
| you'd better buy a wedding outfit
and marry Dick Kenton."
| Phyllis looked at her speculatively.
I'I can't imagine a worse fate than
marrying Dick Kenton; that is why
I want the jade bracelet. 1t may ward
off day when I shall ge. desperate
and tired of working hard, and agree
to marry man for his money"
1T is pity that John, Hughes isn't
rich" said Marion.
Phyllis looked at her reproachfu1ly.
eff John Hughes would ask me to
marry him. she said, solemnly, "he
wouldn't have to have money!
i HE loves you," Marion told her.
'"Then why doesn't he tell me so p"
Phyllis remanded.
Hes too proud
"Oh, PRIDE Phyllis said. "Why
would that stand in the way? Hasn't
both write, and If my stories didn't
|; sell. his would, or when he failed in
inspiration perhaps that would be the
moment of my triumphs.''
!. HE feels that you are going to
succeed" Marion said, land he is not
sure of himself. He doesn't want to
drag you down, he says
} Men are queer creatures said
Phyllis, as she began to copy her story.
She was interrupted by the ringing of
the telephone.
Il Over the wire John. Hughes asked
if he might come and have talk with
her.
; i've written a story he explained,
3 opinion on it. 1t is called The Jade
r Bracelet -
Phyllis uttered a sharp exclama-
ton. called what - she demanded
) He repeatd the name. and after a
: moments silence she said, Bring il
lover.'
She hung up the receiver and
turned to Marion. at is the strangest
8 coincidence
What are you going to do about
! tit" Marion asked when she heard the
4 story.
; There isn't any other name thai
will do for my story" Phyllis said
''but I'll let him read his, and per-
t haps 1 can suggest some title that he
1 can USE I hate to spoil my story
Il title"
! 81 wonder where he found his
! was Phyllis response.
! When John Hughes came over he
. read a story to them that made Phyl-
: lis gasp with wonder.
. "It is a masterpiece she said
@ Where did you get you idea"
3 He stammered and STOPPED. 81
= | can't tell you," he said, mot to-
UoJ4 wi
r But why next week." Phyllis de.
= manded
q He laughed. There is a reason
: Phyllis" he said. Don't let youl
curiosity overpower you"
She opened her desk and took ou
her own story. Read that" She
: said
He looked at the title in wonder
'Why-how?'' he demanded.
81 had written it before you told
= me of yours" Phyllis explained. 81,
r it telepathy or what. John Hughes? p
:. "It is the strangest thing, Johr
: told her. ''See here. Phyllis 1 nigh
: as well tell you. 1 was in little
! a square of black satin there was {
i Jade bracelet. No matter what par
of the store I was in I was drawn
: back to that bracelet. 1t was an ex
: pensive thing. but I rashly squan
I, dered my last penny and bought
: for your birthday, and now you'v
= made me produce it prematurely.
s want you to have it because tn
Chinaman said it would bring goo,
IL luck"
: ut is the very same bracelet,
Phyllis said. "why. Marion, it is tn
- same bracelet. and he must hav
T bought it in the same shop"
" When they had matched their ex
:. periences John Hughes said: "Le
me read your story"
He found it wonderful little piec
of cameo work unlike his own. ye
IA lno less wonderful.
e phyllis" he said solemn1y, "yo
IN and 1 have never written such storie:
n and we cannot sell them both unde
If the same title. What are we going t
"a do about it?'
N 81 might call mine The Green Cir
IF cle,'" said Phyllis, but Hughes WASH