Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-08

and sought his wife in her own rooms.
His handsome face was aglow with
love and admiration as he took the
lovely form in his arms and kissed her
eager, red lips.
Darling. you are more beautiful ev-
cry time l see you" he murmured.
And you grow more blind she
chided him playfully. 81 have been
waiting for you to come and tell me
what jewels shall wear tonight" She
turned to the dressing table and threw
back the lid of jewel box and remov-
ed the trays. Diamonds, sapphires and
emeralds blaZed in the light.
Wear your rubies, Edith" said Dick
Palmer, with mysterious smile.
"Rubies? Don't tease. Dick. Those
are the only stones l really want and
do not possess Shall 1t be diamondsT
"Rubies tonight" insisted Dick, and
from an inner pocket Of his coat he
drew forth a fat leather case and plac-
ed 1t In her hands.
"Dick Palmer, you darlingT' cried
Edith, and she showered kisses upon
him before she opened the box. When
she finally threw back the lid she was
awed by the beauty of the stones her
husband had selected for her birthday
gift
On a bed of white velvet was coiled
a magnificent necklace of fawIess ru-
bies, perfect in color and each stone
the size of a very large pea.
Dick lifted the necklace and clasped
it around his wifes neck; then he stood
back to admire the rich red circle of
fire against the wilderness Of her skin.
you dear, extravagant boyp muir
INJURED Edith as she turned to the mir
ror.to feast her eyes on the jewel. II
suppose you paid an enormous price
for It."
Il paid a pretty stifT price. but
guess it's worth 1t. l didn't buy it in
Buffam's. 1t isn't brand new neck
lace; neither is ii reconstructed from
an old one. It's genuine antique said
to have belonged to an Asiatic ruler"
where did you find 1t. Dick"
an LenQuith's on Fourth avenue.
NC itu II u AhOlbl ho"s anu
has been cleaning 1t up for me. Well.
l must run away and Dress Dick
kissed his wife again and left the
room.
Edith stood long before the mirror
watching the liquid fame of the ruby
/ necklace as she slowly turned her neck.
At last she unclasped 1t and replaced
| it within its case.
"I'll not wear it down to dinner. II
| will be surprise for all of them when
the ball begins" she said to herself
/ and looked around for place in which
/ to secret the case. Rhe large jewel box
would just fit into the tiny steel safe
sunk in the wall near the chimney.
Before the inconspicuous door there
was hung heavily framed square
painting, which could he moved aside
only by pressing a knob on the o.heI
side of the room.
Now Edith selected a diamond brace
let-a dazzling serpent with ruby eyes
. and slipped il on her arm. Then she
closed and locked the large jewel box
I pressed the knob that moved aside the
square picture and placed the box in
the little safe. There was room after
all for the new jewel case containing
the ruby necklace. and after another
glimpse OF the beautiful jewel Edith
tucked that in the safe. closed the stee
clad door. replaced the picture and
went down to dinner just as the CONS
sounded.
The rooms were bowers OF lowell
ness. A separate color scheme had
been selected for each one. and the
whole haTmonized in one glorious ar
rangement of flowers and palms.
There were several people staying a.
the Palmers. and most of them were
gathered in the drawing room wher
Edith entered-the Maxfields. husband
and wife; EuGenia Card, an old schoo
friend of Edlths. and Dicks father
Henry Palmer. The fifth guest, Nine
Geulot had not yet Joined them.
Just as the last strokes of the hal
clock died away there was a rustic OF
silk that hesitated outside the door
and then Nine. Geulot came swiftly
in, her bright coloring enhanced by
two vivid crimson poinsettias at hel
III cast AIcI llCn Dlue-DldCk udlE wal
coled in soft knot at the back of hel
shapely head. and above her low
thoughtful brow was placed a corone
of diamonds Nine GeuIot was a very
beautiful woman.
"A thousand pardons. cherie," sht
cried penitently. That so stupid Ma
RE of mine has made what you cal
muddle Of my toilet" She threw GU
her hands with a graceful gesture o.
despair, and her long dark eyes darteC
from one smiling face TO another.
Mrs Palmer shook her charming
head and looked at the vision in ambe
satin and diamonds Dear Mime. Geu
lot" she said sweetly, IF you want Z
part with Marie shall be delighted Il
relieve you of your stupid treasurer
"No. no"' And they all laughed a
madame's dismay.
In spite of the forthcoming ball th
dinner was as perfect as II always hat
been since Pierre Caron had ruled II
the Palmer kitchen When the mea
was concluded Edith went upstairs :
complete nor toilet. leaving her guest
scattered about the flower deckcl