The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-08-22

rs walked from the dining room ana
49,. ~ .be house in angry dignity, to
the establishment Of his mother ana
sister, to whom he was usually c0uf,
tesy itself. ;. ~.
office much perturbed in mind. FER
nlexities seemed to be tnlckenins
ahout him. With the dawn Of the morn
inc had come that sterner common
sense which told him he was a fool Tor
having taken up with a 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 ne
had hastily put the jewel before ieav'
ing his room. That was something
tangible. He could atleast know what
It was worth, and so make sure once
for all whether he had been deceived.
The stone seemed to be OF unusuai
beauty and purity, but he would step
into the diamond shop as he passed
and make sure. He had friend there
who could tell him all about 1t.
After the morning greeting, he hand
ed over his ring.
"This belongs to friend of mine"
he said, trying to look unconcerned. i
should like to know if the stone 10
genuine, and about what it is WORTH.
His friend took the ring and retired
behind a curious little instrument f0r
the eye, presently emerging with . re-
spectful look upon his face.
"Your friend is fortunate to have
such beautiful stone. 1t Is unusually
clear and white, and exquisitely cut. I
should say it was worth at least"-he
paused and then named a sum which
startled Durham, even accustomed -
he was to counting values in high fig
ures. He took the jewel back with .
kind of awe. Where had his mysteri.
Gus lady acquired this wondroua
bauble which she had tossed to him for
q trife? In Z tumult of feeling, he
went on to his Office more perplexed
than ever.
Meantime, the girl who was speeding
along toward Chicago had not forgot
ten him. She could not If she would.
for all about her were reminders Of
him. The conductor took charge Of
her ticket, telling her in his grun,
kind way what time they would ar
rive In the city. The porter was 80
licitous about her comfort, the news
boy brought the latest magazines and
q box of chocolates and laid them al
her shrine with a smile of admiration
and the words, "Th' g'nlmun sent
'em!"
BY and by, she opened the suitcase
half doubtfully, feeling that she wal
almost intruding upon another's poe
sessions.
There were dress suit and ,
change Of fine linen, handkerchief
neckties, pair Of gloves, . soft, blacl
felt negligee hat folded, . large blacl
silk muffier, bathrobe, and the usua
silver-mounted brushes, combs ant
other toilet articles. She looked then
over In a business-like way, trying d
see how she could make use Of them
Removing her hat she covered It viii
the silk mufler, to protect 1t from dust
Then she took OF her dress an
} wrapped herself in the soft bathrobe
( wondering as she did 30 at her willina
ness to put on q strangers garment,
4 Somehow, in her brief acquaintanc
. with this man, he had impressed he
, with his own pleasant fastidiousness
{ 90 that there was kind Of pleasure 4
: using his things, as II they had bee
r those Of valued friend.
I She touched the electric button thu
, controlled the lights In the little apar
ment, and lay down in the dsrknee
. to think out her problem Of tie ~
Z life that lay before her. j