The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-09-08

she said. Now my raincoat is miss
ing. Ny new raincoat! l hung it up
in the hall closet with my own hands,
after it came from the store. | really
think something ought to be done!"
There! l hope you see!" said Cor
nelia severely. Il think it's high time
something was done. l shall phone for
detective at oncei"
"Cornelia, you'll do nothing of the
kind" her brother protested, now thor
oughly aroused. I'll 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. 1 insist,
mother, that you put a stop to such
rash proceedings. I'll make myself
personally responsible for that girls
honesty"
We'll, of course, Tryon, if you wish
it" said his mother, with anxious
hesitation.
Il certainly do wish it, mother: l
shall take it as personal if anything is
done in this matter without consulting
me. Remember, Cornelia, l will not
have any trifing. A girls reputation
is certainly worth more than several
hats 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.
Tryon Durham took his way to his
office much perturbed in mind. Per-
plexities 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 leav-
ing his room. That was something
tangible. He could at least know what
It was worth, and so make sure once
for all whether he had been deceived.
The stone seemed to be of unusual
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 it,
After the morning greeting, he hand
ed over his ring.
This belongs to a friend of mine"
he said, trying to look unconcerned. 81
should like to know if the stone is
genuine, and about what it is worth"
His friend took the ring and retired
behind curious little instrument for
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 as
he was to counting values in high fig
ures. He took the jewel back with a
Kind of awe. Where had his mysteri-
Gus lady acquired this wondrous
bauble which she had tossed to him for
trifie? In a 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 gruff.
kind way what time they would ar
rive IN the city. The porter was So
hcltous about her comfort, the news
boy brought the latest magazines and
box of chocolates and laid them at
her shrine with a smile of admiration
and the words, "Th' gnlmun sent
'em!"
By and by, she opened the suitcase,
half doubtfully, feeling that she was
almost intruding upon another's DOS
sessions.
There were a dress suit and
change of fine linen, handkerchiefs.
neckties, pair of gloves, a soft, black
felt negligee hat folded, a large black
silk muffier, bathrobe, and the usual
slIVer-mounted brushes, combs and
other toilet articles. She looked them
over in a business-like way, trying to
see how she could make use of them.
Removing her hat, she covered it with
the silk muffler, to protect it from dust.
Then she took or her dress and
wrapped herself in the soft bathrobe,
wondering as she did so at her willing
ness to put on a strangers garments.
Somehow, in her brief acquaintance
with this man, he had impressed her
with his own pleasant fastidiousness
so that there was a kind of pleasure in
using his things, as if they had been
those of valued friend
She touched the electric button that
controlled the lights in the little apart
ment, and lay down in the darkness
to think out her problem of the new
life that lay before her.
ICnntinnRH TnmnrrOXl