Putnam patriot., 1914-10-09

new wSpaperS ana auNeFUSe Tor It. Ihac < what Ill do"
 It was at that instant that Mir Carr's eyes and mouth opened together in as- toniShment. and De uttered queer it. tie bleat of joy. He had been on his way to the table 10 take up the tele- phone. Instead be pouneed upon the box that Nell had just put on the ts. ble and Openei IL The previous pigeon blood ruby ring was inside
 "Hurrah. Hail Csiumbiar' be shout ed frantically. This Is 1t. I've found it! I've found it, i've found it.r'
 The spectacle Of an elderly. usually sedate gentleman, with white hair. dancing the cancan. Is not common in the genteel residences of West Seven ty-second street it Is said But Mir William Carr treated his daughter Car ollne and James Cluney to an exhibi- ton of that sort for several moments as he waved the box above his head. while Caroline pushed open the door to scream into the ball:
 Hes found itl He's found itl He's found itr
 i've found fl I've found it I've found itr' repeated Mir, Carr again and again. as Madge. the minister and Dr. Willoughby came in.
 Where did you find itY' asked Will loughby.
 Right here on the table. where 1 laid it" replied Mir Carr. hardly able to artieulate for excitement See, heres the box"
 "Jove! That's the empty box left there" said Cluney aside 10 Will loughby.
 "oh. Lordr' calculated the doctor.
 May I see it, daddy ?' asked Madge, holding out her hand for the ring
 "Of course. dear. Isn't 1T d beantyr' As Madge took the ring from the box where the late afternoon sun streamed through the window full upon it. making if look like thing of living fire, Dr. willoughby and James Cluney stared at it in bewilderment
 "oh. it's gorgeousr' sighed Madge. James, dear. lookl A beautiful pi- geon blood ruby. You're the dearest dad in all the worldF' she added, kiss ing her father.
 Well. now that we are all happy again. don't you think we'd better have the wedding?" suggested Mir. Speiain who was thinking of the other nuptiai engagement he bad for that day.
 "Yes. yes" agreed Mir. Carr. Let's have the wedding
 Strangely enough. James Cluney drew back and answered. with some embarrassment:
 Just moment. darling. l want Il few words with MT. Willoughby first. " Don't keep us waiting. boys ad monished Mir. Carr as he, Madge. Caro- line and the minister all went out to- gether.
 Well. Willoughby." said Cluney when they were alone. what do you make of this?"
 Dr. Willoughby did not answer at once. but there was a world of mean ing in the distressed gaze he bent upon the very much perturbed brid' room elect
 T thought you said the box was empty. JamesF' were Willoughbys first words.
 "So if was"
 But 1t wasn't" insisted the doctor.
 "I can swear 1t was.
 "Wel. the ring couldn't have walked back Into the box"
 That's true, too" admitted Cluney slowly. But
 "See here, James," said the doctor. Are you absolutely sure you didn't take that box and put it in your pocketr
 .'Of course 1 am." was Cluney's in dlgnant rejoinder "I never saw the d. thing till found 1t there"
 Sure you're not mistakenT
 "Mistaken! How could 1 be mis- taken?"
 You were mistaken about the box being empty. weren't your
 .l don't think so. But He broke of abruptly and looking wistfully into Wiloughby's face. walled. Say. doc tor. what the dickens is the matter with me anyway
  gold watch from one of his trousers pockets and almost shrieked:
 Why. what the devil IS thisT"
 Why. it's my watch ! was won dering where fl had gone.
 But where did get it?' demanded James CInney nliserahly
 That's just 1t Where did you get itr' "Oh. yes remember now, return ed Cluney in awe stricken tones. "i was in your consultation room Tor few minutes with yon this afternoon I recolIect seeing Ihe watch on the Ia ble 1 must have taken it then un consciously
 '.Uncunsriously You must have done it when | wasu't looking. you know"
 James Cuncy shuddered. and the doctor went on Kindly and seriously: