Manchester Democrat., 1911-01-18

Oul. lue LulIlS tudL lay Ou Iue SOlu
smiths palm Flora had never seen
though once it had been described te
her" bit of an old gold heather
god. curled around himself, with his
head of two yellow sapphires and q
big blue stone on top"
There 1t blazed at her, the jewel
she had carried in her bosom, thai
she had hidden in her pouch of gold
and that had vanished from 1t at the
touch of magic hand, now cunningly
restored to its right place in the fore
head of the Crew Idol, crowning him
with living light.
Speechless they looked together al
the magic thing. They had thought IL
far at sea; and as II at a wavs of a
geniis wand 1t was here before them
nashing In the quiet garden.
With an effort Chatworth seemed to
keep himself from seizing on ring
and man together. He looked search.
ingly at the goldsmith and seemed on
the point of asking question, but
instead, he slowly held out his hand
He held 1t out cup-fashion. 1t shook
SO that Flora saw the Chinaman
steady 1t to drop in the ring. Then,
folding his check miraculously small,
enveloping 1t in the ragged piece OF
newspaper, the little man turned and
shufiied from them down the gravel
walk.
Chatworth stood staring after him
with his idol in his palm. Then, turn.
ing slow eyes to Flora. How did he
come by this?" he asked, as sternly as
II he demanded 1t of the mystery it.
self.
He had 1t, from the very first"
The pieces of the puzzle were flashing
together in Flora's mind. THAT first
time Harry left the exhibit he took
1t there"
But the blue sapphire!" Chatworth
insisted
Harry" Flora whispered. Harry
gave 1t up to him"
| Gave 1t up to him!" Chatworth
echoed In scorn.
But she had had an inspiration Of
understanding. He had to-for
money to get OF with. He gave Clara
all he had SO that she would let him
get away. Poor thing!" she added in
lower breath, but Chatworth did not
hear her. He had taken the Idol in
his thumb and finger. and. holding 1t
up in the broadening light. looked
fixedly at 1t with the passionate in.
credulity with which one might hold
and look at friend thought dead
She watched him with her jealcss
pang increasing to greater feeling
a feeling of being separated from han
by this Jewel which he loved, aad
which had grown to seem hateful to
her. which had shown itself breed er
of all the greedy passions. She cane
softly up to him. and, lifting ksr
hand, covered the Idol.
He turned toward her in wonder
"Ah. you love 1t too much" -.
whispered. 80 -; ~.
That's unworthy Of you" he rs
preached her. II have loved YOU
more: and that In spite of what j
believed of you, and what this mean,
TO me. To me. this ring Is not q
pretty thing seen yesterday It II
the symbol Of my family. II Is the
power and pride of us. which oul
women have worn on their hands al
they have worn our honor in theil
hearts. 1t is part of the life Of my
people; and now it has made itsel
part Of our life, OF yours and mine
Shall ever forget how starkly yol
held 1t for the sake OF my honor
ieven against myself? Should evel
have known you without it?' H,
put the ring into her hand. and, smil
ing with his old dare. held 1t over. tn,
fountain. Now. If you want to. dro,
1t in" He released her hand ant
turned to leave her to her Will.
For a moment she stood with powel
in her hands and her eyes on hi
averted head. Then with littl,
rush she crossed the space tetweeI
them. Here, take 1t! You love it
want you to keep It! but can't for
get the dreadful things 1t has mad,
people do. 1t makes me afraid"
In spite of his smiling he seemed t,
ucE NCAy AOu uCdls
childs The whole storm and troubl,
of life comes from things being ii
the wrong place. This has been II
the wrong place and made mischief
Like me-" she murmured.
Like you" he agreed. Now W,
shall be as we should be. Give M
your hand"
He drew of all the rings will
which she had once tried to dim thu
sparkle of the sapphire. and. drop
ping them into his pocket like 8,
much dross. slipped on the Idol tina
covered her third finger in, a splendi,
bar from knuckle to joint. Holding
her by just the tip OF that finger, lean
ing back little, he looked into he
eyes, and she, looking back. knew tha
1t welded them once for all.
. =. EE