The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1913-10-16

didn't think 1t was becoming She
wanted some color about It instead of
all black. | left 1t in my room, and
charged Norah to see that the man
got it when he called, and now the
man comes and says he wants the hat.
and 1T is gonel Norah insists that
when she last saw 1t, 1t was In my
room. But OF course that's absurd. for
there was nobody else to take 1t but
Thompson, and he's been in the family
for so long"
Cornelia,' interrupted Tryon, quite
beside himself, don't think of such a
thing az speaking to that poor girl
about that hat. 1 know she hasn't
stolen it. The hat will probably he
found, and then how will you feel?p
But | tell you the hat cannot be
iound!" said the exasperated sister
And / shall just have to pay for q hat
that can never wear"
Mother, / appeal to YOU" said the
con earnestly. Don't allow Cornlelia
to speak OF the hat to the girl.
wouldn't have such an injustice done
IN our house. The hat will turn up
soon If you just go about the matter
calmly You'll find It quite naturally
ana Unexpectedly, perhaps. Any way.
II you don't, I'll pay for the hat, rath-
er than have the girl suspected
The mother rose reluctantly.
We'll, we might let it go another
day she consented. Then. looking
up at the sky, she added: Il wonder n
IL is going to rain. have a reciprocitv
meeting on for today, and I'm a dele
gate to some little unheard.of place. II
usually does rain when one goes INTO
the country, I've noticed"
She went into the hall, and present.
ly returned with a distressed look up-
on her face.
lryon, I'm afraid you're wrong"
she said. Now my raincoat is miss
! ing, My new raincoat! / hung il nm
IN the hall closet with my own hands.
after it came from the store. really
thlnk something ought to be done!g
Ihere! hope you see!" said Cor
nelia severely. Il think it's high time
something was done. shall phone for
a detective at oncel"
"Cornelia, you'll do nothing of the
kind" her brother protested. now thor.
oughiy aroused. IN agree to pay for
the hat and the raincoat if they are
not forthcoming before a fortnight
passes but you simply shall not ruin
that poor girls reputation. insist
mother, that you put q stop to sucb
rash proceedings. I'll make myself
personally responsible for that girls
honesty"
Wen, of course, Tryon, il you wish
1t said his mother, with anxious
hesitation. 'VN7
certainly do wish It, mother
shall take 1t as personal if anything is
done in this matter without consulting
me. Remember Cornelia. | will NOT
have any trifiing. A girls reputation
Is certainly worth more than several
mats and raincoats, and / know she has
not taken them"
He walked from the dining room and
from the house in angry dignity. to
the establishment of his mother and
sister, to whom he was usually cour-
tesy Itself
lryon Durham took his way 70 his
Office much perturbed In mind Per.
pieXities seemed to be thickening
about him. With the dawn of the morn
ing had come that sterner common.
sense which told him he was a fool for
having taken up with strange young
woman on the street. who was so evil.
IDENTIFY flying from Justice.
All, the ring A sudden warm thrill
shot through him, and his hand
searched his vest pocket. where he'
had hastily put the Jewel before Ieav
ing his room. That was something
tangible. He could at least know what
It was worth. and so make sure once
for al whether he had been deceived
The stone seemed 20 be Of unusua
beauty and purity. but be would steDl
into tho diamond shop as he passed.
and make sure. He had a friend therel
who could tell him all about it.
After the morning greeting, he hand
ed over his ring
This belongs to D friend of mine. a
he said, trying to look unconcerned ri
should ike to know II the stone is
genuine, and about what Il is worth "a
His friend took the ring and retired
behind q curious little instrument Tor
the eye, presently emerging With 70.
spectful look upon his face.
(Continued Next Week