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

"why, certainly l will play" said
Helen and followed her hostess with
n Sigh Of relief.
Maurice Malcolm bowed low before
her with n look Of alteration In his
dark eyes. $50 kind Of you" he muir
INJURED. And Helen soon became ub-
sorbed in her music, forgetting all else
save the wonderful voice which echoed
through the room. When tho applause
had ceased he bent over her.
ut IL you." said he. "who have made
my song a success"
But Helen was staring increduously
at the forgetmcnot charm suspended
from his silken fob. who gave you
that locket1" she demanded CURLY.
The singer Strengthened suddenly and
looked surprised.
II beg your pardon" he said coldly.
Then she smiled.
ut is such beautiful design" she
said and held out her hand. MAY I
sec IT."
Unclasping the lockct, he laid 1t in
her palm. would you mind IL
opened itl"
The singer smiled. ut took mo some
time to find the hidden spring." he
said. "Allow me to show you how"
But her finger unaided had found
the spring. Her friends name with
It's curling al" and the we'll known
motto were dancing before her eyes.
"Mr. Malcolm" she said quickly
this Is strange; friend gave me the
very counterpart of this locket several
years ngo. and lost 1t today In the
park"
THAT was indeed unfortunate" said
the singer. "The owner of this little
charm desired me to wear 1t this even
ing. She has had It for number Of
years"
IIelen's fingers frightened about the
locket as the man held out his hand
to receive It.
Mrs. Tom came toward them. bevy
Of laughing girls In her train. MIR.
Malcolm" she called, "come and be
introduced" The man hesitnted. IL
you plcase?" he said peremptorlly,
looking at Helen.
Reluctantly she surrendered the
golden trinket and turned away. Per-
haps Mr.. Bryce had not deceived her
after all. She was strangely pleased
at the thought and decided at least
to tell him of her new discovery. She
found him sitting in secluded corner.
screened from view by palms and
plants and apparently lost in gloomy
meditation. Helen joined him uncere-
moniously.
II have seen 1t again. she announc-
ed. His face frightened as she en-
tered.
IL am afraid do not understand
you." be replied.
"Mr. Malcolm is wearing my locket,"
she explained. Inscription and all.
Did you give 1t to him?"
II never saw the man BEFORE" be
said solemny. He has probably been
fortunate enough to find your lost
charm and will return it to you"
Helen shook her head. He says it
is not mine" She looked up at him
meaningly. II suppose It has been
loaned to him for an OCCASION"
See herer' said Mr.. Bryce indig.
nantly. HE ought to give a better
explanation. You wait here for few
moments while hunt the fellow up
and find out"
The girl seemed to have forgotten
her animosity toward Mr.. Bryce
How good you are" she said. and
the look in her eyes was hattering.
But when he returned his face wore
a perplexed frown.
did you get the locket?" she asked
eagerly. The man avoided her eyes
ut is no longer in his possession
he said.
"Well. where is It 2" she persisted.
Mr.. Bryce spoke very slowly. He
seemed TO think 1t was none of my
affair.
IL see" said Helen, and her friendly
feeling toward the young man fed
Good evening. Mr.. Bryce"
His tall figure blocked the passage
zone moment. please, before you 60,
he said desperately. May call some
time If am able to bring an explnna
ton Of this annoying AFFAIR.""
You may call" she answered weari.
~. when you can return my locket
to me-" He bowed and stood aside
for her to pass.
Later, when Helen's mother was
making her adieus to Mrs. Tom, Mau
rice Malcolm approached Il regret
Iv bn
able to give you any Information re-
garding that little charm. II should
ut any time find a solution of the mys
terry may l call?"
Helen gave an odd little laugh. II
will be pleased 10 see you" she said
when you can bring the locket with
you"
MY dear" said her mother as they
were driving home. "are you not well
You have been so unlike yourself al
evening"
II lost Lolita's charm today, moth
err" she answered, and success seems
to have vanished with It."
A week or two passed and Heller
might have forgotten the lost locke
If the blond young man had not con
stantly appeared to remind her. Sh'
seemed TO meet him everywhere. II!
she descended the steps of her owl
home or waited for n car at the cor
ner, and once he had been sitting upor
the we'll remembered bench as sh,
happened to walk through the park
Upon each of the occasions she mere
" inclined her head in greeting anC