The Prescott daily news., 1914-01-10
err than have the girl suspected"

We'll. we might let it go another
day" she consented. Then, looking
up at the sky, she added Il wonder if
it is going to rain, have reciprocity
meeting on for today, and I'm a dele,
gate to some little unheard-of place 1t
usually does rain when one goes into
the country. I've noticed"
She went into the hall, and present
ly returned with a distressed look up
on her face.
"Tryon, I'm afraid you're wrong"
she said. Now my raincoat is miss
ing. My new raincoat ! hung 1t 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 seel" said Cor
nelia severely. Il think it's high time
something was done l shall phone for
a detective at once!"
"Cornelia. you'll do nothing of the
kind her brother protested, now thor
oughly aroused. IN 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. insist
mother, that you put stop to such
rash proceedings III 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.
shall take it as personal if anything is
done in this matter without consulting
me. Remember, Cornelia / 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 astonishment 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 fool for
having taken up with a 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
1t 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 a friend there
who could tell him all about it.
After the morning greeting he hand
ed over his ring.
This belongs to friend of mine.
he said, trying to look unconcerned "a
should like to know il the stone is
genuine. and about what it is worth
His friend took the ring and retired
behind curious little instrument for
the eye, presently emerging with re-
spectful look upon his face.
Your friend is fortunate to have
such beautiful stone. 1t is unusually
clear and white, and exquisitely cut
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
a trlfe? In tumut 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
Tor 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.
iicitous about her comfort. the news.
boy brought the latest magazines and
box OF chocolates and laid them at
her shrine with smile of admiration
and the words. 9TH g'nlmun sent
'em!"
BY and by, she opened the suitcase.
half doubtfully, feeling that she was
almost intrudtng upon another's. pos.
sessions.
Ihere were a dress suit and n
change of fine linen, handkerchiefs
neckties, pair of gloves, a soft, black
felt negligee hat folded a large black
SILK muffieri a bathrobe, and the usual
sllver-mounted brushes, combs and