The Red Cloud chief., 1912-04-04

ly to get out of the way Of speeding
automobile. He bumped against some
body back Of him. and there was a
half.suppressed feminine cry, followed
by a crash as Of broken china.
In confused apology he turned and
! beheld the most beautiful girl he had
ever seen. With womanly tact, she
tried to relieve his embarrassment and
hide her own dismay. Tho package
which he had knocked from her hand
he ruefully picked up. and as he es.
corted her to the sidewalk he could
feel the pieces OF broken china In
their wrappings.
pray forgive me-" he exclaimed. II
am more sorry than ! can say. I'll
take this article with me and have It
replaced"
look almost OF fright came into
the young woman's face. and in anx.
lous tones she said:
"Oh. no! You must not think Of It!
| can't let you have this"
She reached out her hand for the
ill.fated package.
Ralph was surprised at her agita.
ton. But he was also impressed by
The remarkable sweetness Of her voice.
I'll be ashamed II you will not al.
low me to undo this mischief. II
good Of you to belittle my awkward.
ness. but I've got to do something for
my own self.respect"
There was such sincerity in his
tones that she could not in kindness
disregard them as he continued:
II am Ralph Woodson. May not
have your address. and send you a
duplicate OF this article?"
Again she displayed a feeling Of
real embarrassment.
Please give II to me-" she insisted.
and held out her hand for the pack.
age. He could not resist the pleading
in her eyes. and reluctantly gave It
10 her.
With the article once more in her
grasp. she was her graceful self
again. Evidently wishing to relieve
young Woodson's uneasiness. she said
after moments hesitation:
Il am Miss Darragh. live at No.
80 Baltimore avenue. II It will make
you more comfortable. you may send
me piece Of brac,abrac. Only.
must tell you. my tastes are very
simple"
Ralph wanted to prolong the inter
view, but there seemed no further
excuse for IT.
They moved away in opposite direc
tions. He, following his habit OF
prompt action. went to a noted bric-a
ich Nhn riAkn
was friendly and loquacious. for the
young man had been a good customer
on one or two occasions. Ralph ex
planned something Of the plight he was
in. and Mr.. Grimm smiled knowingly
He suspected that the purchase would
be directed more or less by the heart.
and not by the Nocketbook He
brought out a little vase which he
carried with more than ordinary care.
This" he explained. "is a piece of
genuine old Vienna ware. 1t is one
Of a very handsome pair Of vases. The
mate to this piece disappeared from
our display window yesterday. We've
got detectives all over the city on
he lookout for It."
Ralph liked the vase. and bought II.
He had made up his mind to the
presumption Of delivering It in per.
son. Accordingly. he left his law Of.
fee early in the afternoon. and was
soon seated in tho Darragh drawing
room awaiting. with shade Of anxi.
ETY., Miss Darragh's entrance. He was
conscious in q general way Of the
quiet elegance Of his surroundings,
but all bis active mind was occupied
with tho mere pleasure Of being there.
the pleasure Of meeting again the
woman whose personality had domi.
mated the whole day for them.
The soft rustic Of skirts announced
her coming, and Ralph rose to meet
her. She was more charming than
he had thought. No woman had ever
before seemed to him so gracious and
lovable.
In accepting tho package from his
hand. she revealed a happy anticipa-
ton as to the contents. He watched
her admiringly while she unwrapped
the box. and felt secure In the thought
she must find his gift faultless. She
lifted the lid with playful eagerness,
but at sight OF the vase within, start.
ed back In dismay. A low cry escaped
her lips. and she hastily laid tho box
on a table near by lest the vase fall
from her trembling fingers.
Ralph. disappointed and hurt. led
her to a chair. Miss Darragh looked
up at him tremblingly. and her eyes
pleaded forgiveness.
Il am very sorry. Mr.. Woodson.
You will think me nervous and queer.
I know. But was startled. III show
you why"
She opened drawer Of the table
and took from II the little package
with which Ralph was already famil-
lar. He opened It at her bidding. and
there. in pieces. lay the exact counter.
part OF his Vienna vase.
In a fash he recalled Mr.. Grimm's
tale Of the theft 1t was Ralph's turn
to feel dismay.
| "Could this beautiful girl be-" He