The Washington herald., 1914-07-05

was on the verge of tears now as she reached fo-
her possession. at was on a savage island where
/ was cast away-an island just eight days out
of Manila"
"a savage island-from Manila" A bit Of
the incredulity had left his manner already.
Once more he stopped to examine the necklace.
Yes" he muttered, "the cutting of the stones is
different from any have ever encountered-Old
Asiatic, undoubtedly" Again he turned to her.
How long ago this, Miss? What is this
story of being cast away? do not recollect any
wrecks"
"The Empress" Lucille quickly explained, her
eyes clouding with terror she recollected the
horrors of the subterranean cavern into which she
had fallen. recalled the clammy touch of the
sightless inhabitants, the grinning, hideous mon
ster-ape squatting in the arms of the still more
hideous idol.
"There-there,"-the little man was bending
over her, glass Of water in his hands which he
pressed upon her. 81 believe you, my dear young
woman. / merely wished TO know"
at isn't that" she smiled family. ITS recol-
lecting the terrible place underground-the hor-
rible creatures-everything-
"welI. well. we'll" he rubbed his hands to-
gether in frank amazement. ITO think that any
one escaped from the wreck of the Empress" !"
Once more his lips pursued. "But why have you
not reached friends%'
81 am Lucille Love-" she said quietly. "I can
not 60 back"
He studied her keenly, nodding his head from
side to side. Yes, yes, your father and l were
quite well acquainted when he was stationed at
cause of the disgrace that caused you to leave
when the orders from Washington were stolen?"
Lucille rose haughtily from her chair, tax
ing the necklace from the table and moving to-
ward the door.
There was no disgrace" she explained clear
ly, her tones fairly chilling. 'The papers were
stolen by an outsider, sir. That was why 1
boarded the Empress. That is why am here.
That is why seek money; why am stiil search
ing"
"There-there-" The jewelers. manner was
frankly proprietory. II meant no offense. I
merely wished to know"
81 came to know If you cared to purchase
the necklace" she coldly retorted, preparing to
replace it about her neck.
"But my dear Miss Love-" he smiled, "you
must realize that there is not money enough in
the establishment to purchase such a wonderful
necklace the one you own. few stones-pos-
sibly, or" he added afterthought, 81 might
purchase an option on the necklace for, say
much of a reasonable sum as you desire at pres
ent, and will then look about for purchaser"
Lucile's face showed her relief.
81 will give you ten thousand dollars for an
the man continued quickly Meanwhile, will
keep it here and give you a receipt for it, in
order that I may show it to possible customers"
"Ten thousand dollarsT Lucille's eyes were
wide in wonderment She had never thought in
terms Of dollars and cents before and the sum
seemed incredible to her.
It not ten minutes later, with mutual
promise to say nothing of the transaction that
sum mentioned in her tightly clenched fist, ac-
companied by clerk.
A strange shadow seemed to have fallen upon
her, one which took large part Of the amuse-
ment she anticipated getting from her shopping
away. She could only ascribe it to meeting with
one who had known her father, who unwittingly
showed her what the judgment of the world had
been in regard to the missing orders, the neces-
sity for Immediately foiling Hugo Loubeque.
As she left the bank with the roll of bank
notes in her hand and warning from the clerk
still ringing in her ears, she thought longer
of adorning herself, had forgotten her shabbiness
and her fear of meeting her sweetheart. Her
thoughts were stil upon clothes, the most
gorgeous clothes. And her thoughts were also
upon Hugo Loubeque, the international spy, the
man who stood between her and the fruition of
all her hopes, the man who had brought such
estimate upon the she loved, the man who
had softened toward her. the man-and Varm
flush suffused her cheeks which she fought down