Arizona republican., 1912-03-11
The Vaurigard Diamond BY HORACE HAzELTINE. Copyright, 1910, by the Pearson
 Publishing Co.)

II His interest, already alert, still ful II ther qutckened.
 | You know of them? Both of them9 ''Oh yes. yes. 1 met him on the boa
 coming over. He was charming to me We all liked him immensely. It wa | terribly indiscreet. I see it now. bu
 he seemed to read my anxiety. and
 confessed l had it-that it was hidder
 in the heel of my slipper. After that
 he rarely left me. He said he would
 be my big brother. I might need him
 when it came 10 getting by the CHS toms men, who had way of knowing about such"
 Van Braun interrupted her. ''You were trying to evade paying duty?"
 No. no. Don't you see? And vet how can you? It was a gift-a we'd ding gift from Aunt Jeanne to Sallie Minturn: the Vaurigard red diamond. She didn't want Sallie to wait until she got to France to see it, although she is going over right after the wed ding, and is to make her home there So l volunteered at the last minute to bring it over just for Sally to look at. It was foolhardy undertaking from the first. and the responsibility got on my nerves awfully" She paused for moment. Her right toe was tapping the floor and her hands were busy. the one with the other.
 "Once we landed" she went on. 'I managed to elude, MT. Reynard But when I left Sherrys last night. you can fancy my surprise and horror on seeing him standing close beside the door
 But why?" asked the young man. Had he-''
 No. he had done nothing. But Franklin Post, who met us al the dock his mother was in our party-tOld us he was a notorious sharper of some kind. and you can imagine how the in- formation terrified me I knew then that he would never rest until he got the diamond away from me, if by any chance it was possible"
 He was waiting there alone?"
 No; there was a woman with him She had been lowering about the rooms upstairs all the night. She was SUD- posed to be society reporter for one of the dailies. I had to wait a little for the Vestrys car. and meanwhile that man and woman engaged a taxi cab. I saw them start. but they eyi- dently waited within sight. for as my car turned into the avenue. I caught a glimpse Of the taxicab in pursuit.
 For second or more silence lay be- tween them. Gramercy Van Braun reached for Edith's hand again and re- covered it.
 Tt has made me wretched," she mourned. The stone can never be re- placed There's not another like it in the world"
 Why didn't you speak of it. when VIC met at the Plaza" he asked her. The slipper was in my pocket, then. I left the woman you speak of to come and speak 10 you
 And you gave it to her. after that?" she cried in dismay. You must find her again. Promise me, Gram. dear, that you will find her and recover it.
 But she no longer has it." He was smiling, and she sat up in sudden acute amszement. She gave it to the willy Mir. Reynard."
 Then, you mean you will get it back from him?"
 No. my darling" his smile growing broader. flor the customs people have made that impossible"
 She sprang mp with little cry.
 Then it is safe, the diamond Is safe, We may not even have to pay duty"
 Van Braun stood up, too.
 Don't misunderstood nc" he pleaded 'I gave Miss Williams slipper She gave that same slipper 10 Reynard. The customs officer took it from Reynard before he had a chance to look at it. But, as it hap pened ii wasn't your slipper
 The girl stood as one stricken to stone. motionless and silent. with lips slightly parted And from an inner pocket of his coat Van Braun. laugh ing now, drew forth the tiny. dainty thing that had made bruise over his breast bone.
 Give mp this." he cried raising it | to his lips. Not while there was a | single chance left that it belonged to | the only girl I ever knew with a foot | small enough to fit it.'
 And then his arms were about her, | and the slipper, still tightly held, |, rested against her right shoulder.
 But the other" she murmured be-