Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-03-31

of whom Mr.. Goldberg had spoken.
The company, moved by the daring
facetiousness of the remark, laughed
How about it, Mr.. Bruce?" The jovial
one on the other side of the hostess
was a short, red-faced man, the head
of a big wholesale store, block be-
low Mr.. Goldberg's on Broadway.
You're nearest them"
Between Bruce and the detective a
vase of flowers on the latter's table
intervened Bolger moved it slightly,
as if unconsciously. He discerned the
others now grave features, his earn
est downward look toward the some
what embarrassed, not wholly dis
pleased, Miss Goldberg. They ap-
pear so to me-" said the young man
quietly, in the tone of one who felt,
perhaps, the conversation had taken a
turn in rather questionable taste.
But others were not so fastidious.
Are YOU a judge?" Colonel Manyan,
next to Miss Burke, asked in his ha-
bitually loud military manner; he had
been partaking rather freely of the
punch and champagne.
Bruce met his gaze. A slight imped-
iment in the others accents impress
ed itself on the young man accustom-
ed to note trifles. In his youth the
colonel had probably been a sufferer;
had cured himself, almost; only in
moments of excitement. or alcoholic
stimulation, trace of the old affliction
became manifest. Are you a judge?"
he repeated.
That depends" Bruce said lightly.
Upon WHAT" Miss Flossie leaned
forward.
Upon what you would call a
Judge" Chatfield Bruce smiled back
at her. Pearl collecting" toying
with his boutonniere, lis rather too
expensive a hobby for many of us.
Outside of the buyers and sellers, ac-
tually in the pearl business, there are
not many. I fancy, who can claim to
be real experts"
Right" Colonel Manyan's accents
rang out. Nevertheless, some Of us
think we are versed. In my own time
l have seen a lot Of fine pearls, many
the best product of the Sulu Seas, and
allow me to observe" to Mr.. Goldberg,
your daughters seem truly magnifi-
cent. Transcendently lovely!" The
long word cost him a slight effort.
That is," he added, with a laugh,
from this distance!"
"Oh, they won't look any worse close
to-" retorted the proud owner. Those
pearls will bear inspection. My dear,
to his daughter, "let Colonel Manyan
see them"
At his table Bolger started slightly
and shifted the vase OF flowers far
ther aside. Miss Goldberg unclasped
the shining rope; ii slid from her hand
over the military mans outstretched
fingers. Colonel Manyan's gaze light
ed. by Jove!" he said.
Ever see anything fincr?" Mr..
Goldberg demanded. leaning back.
Never" Some of the vibrant
quality had gone out of the military
mans voice. by Jove!" he repeated,
thickly, almost In murmur.
May l see them?" Miss Flossie's
breath seemed to come little faster.
Certainly; pass them along" said
the owner.
Colonel Manyan released them re-
luctantly. The girl gave rapturous
exclamation:
"Ah!" The pearls nestled in her
rosy palm. How nice they feel"
Put them on" said Goldberg.
NO; no! 1t would be so hard TO
take them off," She made a gesture
"Begone. temptation!"
The rope of pearls went now to
Chatfield Bruce. The young fellow
had moved his chair slightly away
from the table. A servant was just
filling his glass, the one that contain
ed light claret, for Bruce had not
touched his champagne. This servant
was swarthy, an Oriental-a China
man. He stood back now in the half
light, without motion; only a slight
sheen on some silk material he wore
varied 10 the futterings of the night
wind. Behind, the lanterns on the
tree branches seemed imbued with a
sudden spirit of life. They waved
danced. Trailing shadows ran this
way and that Mr.. Bruce glanced al
the pearls.
There is one test" he said lightly
you might have applied" His shoul-
der turned slightly from Mr.. Goldberg;
the necklace flashed I'm the air: lights
cleaned on 1t. His fingers. somewha,
scratched, caught Miss Flossie's eyes;
hut the expression of his face that haG
been conventionally nonchalant now
arrested and held Bolger's glance.
Against a darker background, Bruce'i
feature seemed Chiseled with cameo
like diStinctness. A light that comes
faultlessly beautiful shone for Sec
ond time that evening from his eyes
They seemed to caress, without covet'
BUSINESS, the pure, irridescent spheres
to linger on them with a high, unset
fish delight. The pleased curvings o
his fine lips paid them tribute,
Two rings, one within another, OF
every perfect glObule," they heard MN
say in low tones; then he paused, ant
got up. as if the better to return tht
ornaments to their owner. His tall fig
urc threw n shadow across the lawn
he was smiling once more down ol
the people at the table. THE test Is
not infallihle, but"
With a gallant gesture he was about
to replace the rope on Miss Goldberg!
neck, when his purpose was accident
ally arrested. The Chnaman appar.
emily mindful only of glasses tha
needed replenishing. had stretched on
his arm toward the delicate crysta
between that young lady and Bruce
but instead of filling the glass. th'
Oriental had suddenly Strengthened.
At the sound of voice-a footstel
behind, that caused him to throw :
uuick glance over his shoulder? Th,