Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-20
The Daily Story
The Enameled Bracelet-By Clarigsa Maclde

Count Sorio as he bent above Mrs
Raymond's pretty hand. ITO wear Il
will avert the evil eye and host OF
ether Ills" He smiled charmingly down
at her.
"You are very kind. count" protest
ed Mrs. Raymond, withdra wing her
hand and picking up silk coveret
jewel box, "but, really, cannot accept
this bracelet"
Not as a souvenir of those delight
full days in Florence" reproached the
handsome Italian II am sure your
husband will join me in the wish that
you may accept 1t as token of my
warm friendship for my good friends,
the Raymondsw He laid his shapely
hand on Dick Raymond's broad Shout
der and smiled the smile Of good fell
! honest eyes.
Dick Raymond smiled rather doubt
fully, for when he had last met Count
Enrico Sorio it had been most I'M
pleasant occasion: he had detected the
Impoverished nobleman cheating at
cards, and, although Dick had allowed
the matter to pass until the game was
concluded, he had privately informed
Sorio of what he had seen and warned
him. There had. been one moment
when things hung In the balance. The
| italian had looked at Dick with MUIR
! derous hate in his black eyes. but he
had not offered to avenge the insult in
, blood; he had merely turned on his
| heel and walked away, and the Ray
monds had not seen or heard of him
| for many weeks until this sunny after
noon, when the repentant nobleman
had called upon them, apologized hand
somely TO Dick and rendered an ex-
quisite enameled bracelet as a peace
offering to Mrs. Raymond.
You will not permit the acceptance"
flared the count you perhaps have
suspicious that 1 come by it not hon.
estly? Alas, what sad reputation L
have gained through one small slipt'
He turned away to hide his emotion.
Ethel Raymond, touched by the grief
of the temperamental Italian, smiled
and nodded at her husband. Dick flash
ed a smile back, and his big hand went
out to grasp the long, yellow fingers Of
the nobleman.
VERY well, count. We will consider
the matter closed. AS for the brace
let. 1 am sure Mrs. Raymond will be
charmed to add it to her collection of
Florentine enamels. Come, my friend
he smiled as the count turned a trans
formed countenance toward him
come, let US walk on the terrace and
smoke a cigarette before lunch. You |
will, of course, stay"
with pleasure" beamed Sorio. And. !
with deep bow to Mrs. Raymond and |
a significant smile as he watched her I
lingering the enameled bracelet. he fol
lowed his host on to the terrace. where
there was a delightful view of the
lovely Arno flowing toward the distant
sea and the hills that encircle the city
of Florence.
To the men walking on the terrace
the view was familiar one, but never Z
tiresome. Sorio had been born in Tus-
cany, and he loved it. Dick Raymond
was landscape painter and he loved
it because of its unchanging beauty.
AS they passed the drawing room
windows it was Sorio's dark eyes that
flashed an inquiring glance through
the open easement. Always he smiled
furtively as he noticed that Ethel Ray
mond was holding the bracelet in her
fingers and admiring its beauty.
He did not love Ethel. He hated her
with deep intensity born of her hus-
bands deadly insult to him many
weeks ago. Her husband was devoted
to her. Through the wife Sorio might
be revenged upon the husband. Re
verge was sweet, and it was very near
just now.
Come down and look at our roses"
urged Dick. And. quite confident that
he could leave the enameled bracelet
to do its duty, Enrico Sorio followed
his friend down the steps, and they
in the garden.
In the meantime Ethel Raymond sat
there dreaming over the enameled
bracelet.
The door opened, and Carlo announc-
ed visitor
Mime Testinor'
A tall. graceful woman, clad in white,
came forward. and Ethel laid aside the
bracelet and went to meet her with
outstretched hands.
"Ah, Lisetta. | am so glad to see
you,' she cried warmly. "Sit here.
AIargot shall carry away your wraps
You must remain for luncheon. Count
Sorio is here"
Lisetta TESTING flushed beautifully
and involuntarily glanced around the
room.
''They are walking in the garden"
explained Ethel demurely. for she
knew that the fair Italian lady and the
count were deeply in love with each ,
'ther. She suspected n romance here.
Ind she was prepared to watch II with i
interest, for. like most women, she
thoroughly enjoyed love affair. |
AT am surprised" hesitated the beau !
iful widow as she gave her hat and
'arasol to the waiting servant Il I
bought that Sorio and your husband
vere-not friends-that they had a DIFF !
erence of opinion"
at was so. and I was sorry" con.
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