The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1913-08-31
only find it. Mr.. Graham-I am afraid

4 Lucretla. but Donald could see that
Ter mind had goue back to the object
CT lis viSit-thc purchase Of her home
by DANES Ritcll Of New York
Suppose We wait another day before
deciding about the sale Of the place.
he suddenly said to Miss I.ucretia
"Why, yes. if YOU WISH She re-
piled with 4 IeWildercd air.
Aunt LCcrctja. | do believe Mr.
Graham thinks he may find tie Bel
more diamond before tomorrow. and
then v" can keep the home cried
Anne mischievously
''NonSenSe. Anne Mr. Graham viii
think that We are two idle women
building IomanccS on that old legacy
Of my Cousin Charlotte" smiled Miss
i-ucFetla. Now. Mr.. Graham" she
added Hospitality, "yon must not think
Of taking the long drive back to Tonp-
klnS this evening. Will YOU not remain
all night and ret Peter drive yo,l over
il the morning."
Thank you. Miss Belmore: Shall
be delighted. provided you let me oc-
cupy the guest room You showed lie
this afternoon"
With pleasure, Perhaps YOU NAV
dream about my beautiful cousin. and
you may get IN inkling of the where
abouts of the diamond brooch
So Donald settled himself down to
delightful evening spent in the com.
liany Of Miss Lucretia and her lovely
niece, First there WAS y walk in the
rose garden With Anne while Miss
Lncretia attended to honSewifely du-
ties. and aftcrward there was mu
sic in the pa1lor
AS he stood before the dim Old mir
ror in he spare bedchHlnbcr ne Wits
tied softly few bars of annie Iall-
rie' while he removed his c,,1lul and
tie. Presently he moved over to the
portrait of Charlotte Belmorc and look
q! up at the beautiful face that seem.
Ell alive with changing expressions as
the candle fickercd in the breeze from
IN open window
II wonderI wonder what became
Of Miss Lucretia's inheritnnc,., You
look as though you knew, Cousin Char
lotte." He smiled whimSiraly as he
blew out his candle and opened all Of
his windows wide to the sweet, dew
drenched night
AS soon as his head touched the Law
ended scented pillow Donald fell
asleep. Strange dreams came to him,
born perhaps of the tales he had heard
from Miss Lucrtfia. He moved through
scenes of gay hospitality. surrounded
by black servants and breathing the
heavy scent of magnolias and The. light
er fragrance Of jasmine
Then from the other dreams there
emerged A more vivid one This was
Of Charlotte Relmore--she wore the
green velvet gown, and lie was step
ping through the measures of stately
quadrille, her white hand in his
How cold was her hand and how
brilliantly white shone the BelmOre
diamond pinned to the black velvet
band about her throat. The diamond
looked like d piece Of ice, and as he
gaZed at it, fascinated. it seemed to
disappear entirely.
CharlOtte's hand flew to her throat,
and she gave queer. gasping cry. ut
hurts-it hurts-take it away.' she
shrieked at him, and when he would
have touched the velvet band she
turned and fed from him. crying ex-
ultantly over her shoulder. 1T is hid
den. Ronald Relmore--it is hiddenr'
Donald awoke bathed in cold sweat
to find the quiet room flooded with
moonlight that brought into view the
painted face of Charlotte Belmore with
startling vividness.
AS he gaZed he noted that her face
wore the same expression Of triumph
that had marked her appearance in
his dream. 1t was as if she was say
ing to him now with her shrewd eyes.
her self satisfied mouth, lit is hidden
1t is hidden!''
who was Ronald Bemore?'. he
asked himself as he drifted into sum
Der again.
Once more be dreamed the same
time. After that he arose. lighted
candle and inspected the portrait of
Charlotte Belmore.
I'm not superstitious he said dog
gedly; "but, by Jove, that woman is
simply trying to put me on the track
If the missing brooch I'll think it
,ut before morning. hanged if don't"
Distinguishing the candle. Mr. Don
I'D Graham sat down in a big wing
hair and stared at the portrait He
made sundry trips to and from the
and once he mounted a chair
md examined the face. With salts
led smile he went to bed and fell into
dreamless sleep.
After a delicious breakfast he re-
urred to the subject of Charlotte Bel
nore's diamond
Il dreamed of your fair kinswoman,"
e said to Miss Lucretia
II do not wonder after what have E
old you" smiled Miss Lucretia wanly.
and moreover your cousin told me 9