Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-06-08

sne thought, "for in a few minutes It
will not DO in his possession" But
she sat silent as he left the car, soon
to DO lost from view in one Of the
largo ONCE buildings.
Her mother met her mt the door
when she returned late in the after
noon. "A gentleman IL waiting to sec
you, my DEAR" she said.
Helen's heart beat rapidly. She was
prepared to welcome Mr.. Bryce and to
forgive him for ignoring her condl.
lions, but the expectant look left her
eyes as she entered the room. for 1t
was the singer who bowed low before
her.
II am more than pleased" he said.
ito be able to restore your lost proper.
ty"
She looked skeptical. '"rhere must
be some mistake"- she was beginning.
Mr.. Malcolm smiled. twill you kind.
ly examine the locket? be asked. 1T
is. indeed. the very one that you lost,
and the mystery was easily solved.
inserted an advertisement in the pa
pers and also had card placed in the
public library. A young girl had found
your locket among the books. where 1t
had evidently fallen, and was glad to
return 1t this morning"
"Then this is not the one you wore?"
Helen asked.
st is not" the singer responded
coldly and vouchsafed no further In
formation.
For a few moments she exerted her
self to be entertaining and thanked
him gratefully for his trouble when
he left, but in her heart was a great
disappointment. He can never come
now" she sighed. and her thoughts
were of the blond young man.
She was playing sad little tune
that evening when the maid ushered
Mr.. Bryce into the room. Eagerly she
advanced to meet him. II am so glad, "
she said, that you did not wait to
bring the locket."
He seemed puzzled at her change OF
manner. But l have brought it," he
announced triumphantly and placed a
small box in her hand.
Helen sank into the nearest chair
and regarded him with suspicion. Then
she laughed. The city must be full
Of them." she said, placing the two
lockets with their duplicate inscrip'
lions before him. The man looked
dazed. Mr.. Malcolm recovered this
one by advertising. Now would like
your explanation"
For moment they looked at each
other. then Joined in laughter. Pres
emily he came and stood before her
81 did not intend to make a confess
sion." he said. You will have some
thing to forgive. When your friend
Lolita left the country she also left
two lockets. The counterpart of yours
was given to my cousin. Olivia Trent
You may remember her at the acad-
envy, though she says she has not seen
you for years. Olivia is a little bunch
of superstition and relies implicitly
upon her locket to carry her through
many difficulties. had dined at her
home the evening before that memo
rable day In the park and was telling
Olivias father of an important lawsuit
which l hoped to win the following
day, when olivia clasped the little
charm upon my fob. assuring me that
it would bring success in my under
| taking. The verdict had. indeed. beef
satisfactory, and l stopped on my way
home that afternoon to tell Olivia anC
return the iocket. You may imagine
my chagrin upon receiving your note
and upon the events which followed
| Yesterday | told Olivia all about 1t
and she unraveled the mystery which
| has troubled us both.
1T seems that she had accompanied
evening and had urged him to veal
The charm to insure the success OF
| his song. | also told her"--he locke
down into Helen's eyes-"of my grea,
desire to see you and Of the condition
imposed. 1t was then that she agreed
to sacrifice her locket and insisted thai
| | return it TO you as your own"
The man smiled. Dear little DIV
ia" he said. Her days Of flirting
and superstition are over. for she IL
soon to marry the rector Of Trinity
church. would have brought thu
ocket yesterday" he added. but sht
wished the rector to wear 1t when hi
vert to gain her fathers consent"
| "Oh!' criod Helen. and her eyei
were dancing.
His face was very grave as he low
cred his voice. ~ am about to ente
upon suit" he said. which will
mean all the world to me. May
wear the locket charm?"
He slipped his watch into an uppe
coat pocket, and Helen stood to clasI
the locket. the dark head very neal
the fair one. AS she finished her tasl
his arms closed about her. Once mor'
the charm had proved its power.