Arizona republican., 1911-08-15
LADY CADDINGTON'S
 EMERALDS
By Cary WondeTIey
Copyrighted by the Pearson Publish
 ing company.)

O gray sky the rain spun in straight, silver threads over the stretch from Heronfield to Little Luxham. Only the rows of phlox and the beds of peoples, pink and scarlet, gave touch of life and color to the dripping, sod den landscape
 Tom will be cold and wet and hun gry when he comes in," she said to herself
 There was no denying the cheerful ness of the low-ceiiinged, oak-paneled room. A fire was burning in an open grate, while splendid English tabby stretched herself lazily before 1t, pur- ring loudly and in perfect rhythm to the steaming tea-kettle hanging in the crane. Rosie pulled Toms chair closer to the fire and tucked Toms slippers against the chimney-brick Then she went to the window to watch.
 He rode over from Little Luxham on 'neighbor's bicycle, which was un- usual. Drenched but smiling, his brown hair shining and curly from the moisture, he came rushing in the house and took Rosie in his strong arms. Then he kissed her lips.
 You'll have to get out of those wet clothes right away, dear," she said, in motherly tones. And whose bi- cycle were you riding? Was that wise, Tom?"
 Leighton laughed He was a big man. tall, muscular. good-loeking, and as Irish as the shamrock in his but tonhole.
 'The cycle belongs to the station masters son, and your old Tom is not very wise perhaps, but he was in a hurry to get home. Rosie. the Times says that Lady Caddington is going home to the States"
 Rosie flashed him a quick, signif- cant look, and the tea she was pour ing ran over the side of the cup into the saucer and onto the floor.
 My dear. my dear" he said gently.
 She set down the teacup and faced him, her eyes troubled, her voice not quite steady.
 "Again?" she almost whispered
 Leighton had her in his arms direct ly, and she lay there, trembling like a leaf in a storm. Rosie was tall md slim and girlish despite her seven and-twenty years, with the frAnkest gray eyes and the browneSt soft hair in all the world.
 'I-had hoped it was-done with forever" she half sobned. Tommy. as life grows dearer with you. boy. the the other becomes more terrible. bigger risk. I'm coward, know 1t, but here with our garden and our chickens Your Wyandotte hen wants to set, dear. and just come look at my phlox Even on this drear af- ternoon they are lovely-and honey, Tom. You don't mean it, you can't. We-are so happy here,"
 Leighton dropped down in the arm chair and she perched herself lightly on his knee, while the tabby, stretch ing herself with majestic incidence, deigned to walk across the room and sit down at Toms feet Nearby stood the dainty tea-table with the Chelsea china, tea, strawberries and cream, and hot buttered scenes. It was all very homelike and English. only Tom and Rosie had made their home in every quarter of the globe and they were both of them born in America, Rosie in Mulberry Street, Manhattan.
 Its just this. girlie." he began, in a low voice that shook little with emotion. Lady Caddington has de- cided to leave the Duke-Cad Is all most the limit, you know. no blame to her-and she is going home to Amer lea, with her two little girls and the Caddington emeralds."
 "Ah-h," Rosie breathed hard, and Tom patted her hand reassuringly.
 She was-who, before she married the duke?" asked Rosie.
 Priscilla Parker of Connecticut, up where the wooden nutmegs grow; daughter of the calico king-you know" he nodded.
 "I believe do,' she returned; "yes, 1 remember"
 Well, there you are. see?" He laughed with sheer enjoyment. low. ringing. boyish laugh. and helped him self to another cake. The duchess has got barrels of money-her father has got more-and she must have jew els enough to make dozen Queens Of Sheba turn green with envy. She also has the Caddington emeralds, in trust for her older daughter. We could use those emeralds much better than little Lady Alexandra can thirteen years from now Why, it's sheer madness to hide those pretty toys away in a safe-deposit vault until the child be- comes of age. You sec the duchess will never wear them herself, because she hates the duke so. but she will save them for his daughter-to whom they rightly belong. It seems to me. Rosie. that If you and crossed on the same steamer with Lady Caddington. we might get a chance at those emeralds."
 Rosie shivered
 "I'm-afraid on those steamers. Tom" she said. You haven't forgot ten Peerhof-"
 "Nonsense, That's too much gar den and chickens talking now" he cried, not unkindly. You wouldn't be afraid in the very mouth of cannon. Buck up, Rosie"
 But we've only been here two months, and we said we were going to stay year" she reminded him. People will talk if we go away soon. live told everybody I've met that we were in love with the place, SO you seer"
 "Yes. sec 1 always see both ways. I told the station-master when we came here, and he's told everybody from Little Luxham to Donmarket by this time. that we were theatrical peo- pie We'll, we'll say that we were called up to London to rehearse a nieca that is poing to be sent on tour