The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1914-01-03

didn't think il was becoming She
wanted some color about it instead of
all black. left it in my room, ard
charged Norah to see that the maa
got it when he called. and. now the
man comes and says he wants the Lat.
aud it is gene! Norah insists that
when she last saw it. it was in my
room. But of course that's absurd, for
there was nobody else to take it but
Thompson, and he's been in the family
for so long"
"Cornelia," interrupted Tryon, quite
beside himself don't think of such
thing as speaking to that poor girl
about that hat. | know she hasn't
stolen il. The hat win probably be
found, and then how viii you feel?"
But l tell you the hat cannot be
found!" said the eXasperated sister.
And l shall just have to pay for hat
that can never wear"
Mother / appeal to you.o said the
son earnestly. Don't allow Cornelia
to speak of the hat to the girl. |
wouldn't have such an injustice done
in our house. The hat will turn up
soon if you just go about the matter
calmly. You'll find it quite naturally
and Unexpectedly, perhaps. Any way,
if you don't, I'll pay for the hat rath-
or than have the girl suspected"
The mother rose reluctantly.
We'll, we might let it so another
day she consented Then, looking
| up at the sky, she added: Il wonder If
it is going to rain. have a reciprocity
meeting on for today, and I'm a dele
gate to some little unheardof place. It
| usually does rain when one goes into
| the country I've noticed"
She went into the hall, and present
| ~ returned with 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 it up
in the hall closet with my own hands,
after it came from the store, really
think something ought to be done!"
There! hope you sect" said Cor
nelia severely. q think it's high time
| something was done. l shall phone for
detective at once!"
"Cornclia, you'll do nothing OF the
| kind, her brother protested, now thor
oughly aroused. "Tll agree to pay for
the hat and the raincoat If they are
not forthcoming before fortnight
| passes, but you simply shall not ruin
that poor girls reputation. | insist
mother, that you put a stop to such
rash proceedings I'll 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 1t rs personal if anything is
done in this matter without consulting
me- Remember. Cornela, / will not
! have any trilng 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, 10
the establishment 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 be was q fool for
having taken up with strange young
woman on the street, who was SO evil
IDENTIFY flying from Justice.
All, the ring! A sudden warm thrill
shot through him. end his hand
searched his vest pocket. where he
had hastily pnt the jewel before leav.
ing his room Thet was something
tangible, He could at least know what
it was worth, END 80 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,
| --NNh NAtN iAiSA 4AAAito SAGEltlAE, ne manu-
ed over his ring.
This belongs to a friend of mine"
he said, trying to look unconcerned. II
should like TO know If the stone is
| genuine, and about what it is worth"
His friend took the ring and retired
behind curious little instrument for
the eve. presently emerging with a re-
| spectful look upen his face.
Your friend is fortunate 10 have
such beautiful stone. 1t is unusually
clear ana white, and exquistely cut.
| should say 1t 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 mvsteri.
Gus lady acquired this wondrons
| bauble which she had tossed to him for
trifie? In tumrlt of feeling, he
went on to his office more perniexaG
than ever.