The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-07-13
~ LOUIS SOSE4~ E0h<1
CHAPTER Xill-Continued

this q most uncommonly interesting
country He laughed uncertainty,
turning the package over and over.
Upon my word. l haven't the least
notion what this can be-"
why not bring it to the light, and
find out?"
He assented meekly, having been
perfectly candid IN his assertion that
he had no suspicion Of what the
packet might contain, and a moment
later they stood beneath the window
OF ResidenCy, frCm which a broad
shaft OF light streamed out like vapor-
tied gold.
Amber held the packet to the light;
It was oblong, thin. stiff. covered with
common paper, guiltless of superscrip-
ton, and sealed with mucilage. He
o r the covering, withdrew the en-
Closure, and heard the girl gasp with
surprise. For himself, he was trans
fixed with CONSERVATION. His look
wavered in dismay between the girl
and the photograph in his hand-her
photograph, which had been stolen
MIN dboaia VIC OAn
She extended her hand imperiously.
Give that to me, please, Mr.. Am
ber," she insisted. He surrendered 1t
without a word. Mr.. AMBER" she
cried in a voice that quivered with
wonder and resentment.
He faced her with a hang-dog air,
feeling that now indeed had his case
been made hopeless by this contre-
temps. "Confound Labertouche!" he
cried in his %ungrateful heart. Con
found his NEEDING mystery-monger-
ing and hokus- pokus!"
"Well?" inquired the girl sharply.
Yes, Miss Farrell" He could IN
vent nothing else to say.
"You-you are going to explain,
presume"
He shook his head in despair.
mo ="
What"
I've no explanation whatever to
make-that'd be adequate, l mean"
He saw that she was shaken by i'm
patience. II think" said she evenly
81 think you Will fad it best to let me
Judge Of that. This Is my photograph.
How do you come to have it? What
right have you to it?"
Il ah =" He STAN
mered and paused, acutely conscious
OF the voices OF the Englishmen, Far.
rell, Raikes, and young Clarkson.
drifting out through the open window
OF the drawing room. IF you'll be
kind enough to return to u chairs.
he said, IN try to make a satisfac-
tory explanation. I'd rather not be
overheard"
The girl doubted, was strongly IN
clined to refuse him; then, perhaps
moved to compassion by his abject at
titude, she relented and agreed. Very
we'll" she said, and retaining the pic
ture moved swiftly before him into
the Swallowed garden. He Jagged after
her, inventing a hundred impractic.
able yarns. She found her chair and
sat down with a manner Of hauteur
moderated by expectancy. He took
his place beside her.
VIM bCLL SOu bhIo obOBiuR Va
meH" she began to c~ross-examine him,
"A friend"
His name?"
I'm sorry I can't tell you Just now
"Oh! Why did he send it?''
Because :" In his desperation
It occurred to him to tell the truth-as
much Of It, at least, as his word 70
Rutton would permit. Because it's
mine. My friend knew l had lost
IT,"
How could 1t have been yours? 1t
was taken In London a year ago. !
sent copies only to personal friends
who, ! know, would not give them
away" She thought 1t over and added:
The Quains had no copy; it's quite
impossible that one should have got to
America"
None the less" he maintained
stubbornly, ITS mine. and I got II In
America"
II can hardly be expected to be.
l.evs that"
I'm sorry"
You persist Ia saying that you 90,
il in American"
Il must"
"When?"
After you left the Quains."
How" she ~propounded trium
phantly.
Il can't tell you, except vaguely. II
you'll be content with the substance
Of the story. lacking details, for Tho
present"
For the present? You mean you'll
tell me the whole truth"
Sometime, yes. But now, / may
not. . A dear friend Of mine
owned the photograph. He gave 1t te
me at my request. | came to India
and on the steamer lost It; In spite
of my offer of a reward, / was obliged
to leave the boat without i, when We
got to Calcutta. My friend here
knew how highly l valued 1T"
Why"
Because ia told him"
Il don't mean that. Why DO you
value II SO highly"
Of fta orfHtnal" He t00h