The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1913-06-21

80
I'm a different mannerT' / repeated
obstinately. though l understood only
too well what she meant. What does
the manner signify so long as the
thing is being done and being done
successfully
ut signifies to me. Dick" she insist
ed gently. right or wrong, | have the
right to put on the facts Just the in
depreciation hat seems to me fair"
She turned to me with sudden pas
sion. Surprising I was foolish. even
heartlcss, in imposing this test, reck-
less and foolish in putting my happi-
ness In the hands of fate. yet If it en-
nobled the one and degraded. by his
own confession. the other why should
] not let the results plead for them
selves? Why should I not abide by
the decision of fate? You have driven
me. you see, in spite of myself to this
question"
"Oh, If it has ennobled the duke!" I
could not help saying.
Yes, ennobled." she answered de-
family. 'if constant love is ~ennobling.
Don't, please. sheer at that. | fought
against him. I could not help feeling
a prejudice against him, perhaps be-
cause he was a foreigner. If he in
terested me it was in spite of myself.
He had every barrier to break down.
And. | repeat. we women are not in
different to a man who sets to work
patiently and courageously TO break
down these barriers-or. at least. to
attempt TO break them down. Every
day. almost every hour. | have been
reminded that he cared for me. A
hundred little thoughtfulnesses and
kindnesses that could not but appeal
to a woman he has increasingly shown
me. While you, Dick; while you
There were tears in her eyes. IN
consciously she stretched out her
hands TO me. If l had not beer blind
If had only taken those lear hands
and drawn her to mel might have
been spared hours of pain. | might
have conquered then. But l was hurt.
indignant, proud. She had not judged
me fairly. | forgot that | had not Civ
en her the opportunity to do that.
And II" | said quietly. Il have
been doing what you asked me to do.
perhaps not in the most approved way,
not SO tactfully as Duke da Sestos has
conducted his discreet search doubt
less, though how he can have been
looking for the casket here in Venice,
while he has found time TO play the
lover in Bellagio, | fail to see"
We arose. J%acqueline looked at me
Indignantly.
You are unjust" she cried proudly.
land you are quite mistaken. for not
only has Duke da Sestos found time
afternoon he brought to me the casket
that belonged to the steel chest"
HE has found the Da Sestos casket?
Impossible. 1t is impossible"' | STAN
mered.
1T stands on the table there she
said. with quiet dignity.
| walked unsteadily to the table she
indicated, and / saw the casket.
1t was an exquisite thing, a jewel
case worthy of holding a princes dia-
dem. 1t was about as long as my W
hands interlocked and a little broader
than the palm of my hand. Two me-
dallions were in each of the front and
rear panels and a medallion at either
end. The design of the medallions was
the loves of the gods in silver gilt,
repousse. The cover rose to an apex,
and on the apex was a nymph embrac-
ed by a satyr. The material was eb-
ony. thickly inlaid with silver of a
quaint design. | lifted the cover.
There were several layers of little
drawers. But | saw no sign of the
springs. ] saw no compartments that