The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1915-07-30

SHE made Il dnWdling round
of the Dom, S~crutiniZing ev-
cry detail of It's arrangement. At the
very last she came to the little table.
toward which Andrew had glanced to
note the simmer of blue light. BY In
StinCt her eyes Went straight to the ring
on the instant of her approach. Al
she beheld the luSt'r> of h jewel her
handsome face suddenly nameh with
greed, and she uttered an ejaculation
OF delight. For long seconds she con,
templated de g]littering bauble with
rapture, bending her face eve closer
and closer as under Il spell. Then. in u
sudden realization of her avaricious
thought. she started guiltily, and peer
ed about the room with furtive
chances, to make sure that none spie,l
upon her. Again, she studied the stone
with Il %SenSuOuS ecstasy IN its prismed
briIliance; again. she tore her eyes
from its charm, and now she moved
from 1t in resUIute effort to escape
temptation. But the old habit of life
dragged her back to the table, and she
put forth a ~cOvetOuS hand. seized the
ring. carried 1t to her bosom, smiling.
But very soon her mood veered
The smile vanished from her full lips
Her expression became that Of poign.
INT grief. BY slow degrees the hand
that held the ring moved from her
breast, reached to the table, set the
jewel back in its place. 1t was at this
moment that Andrew re entered. AT
a shudder how narrow had been the
margin OF her escape from detection In
the very act Of theft. She pointed to,
ward the little table and spoke with q
catch In her voice:
Andrew, just look at what you lef,
on that table there. It's a good thing
there haven't been any strangers III
the house with that lying around
loose"
Andrew crossed to the table and
picked up the ring. There was a faint
smile on his closely set lips as he turn,
ed and went to the He extend
ed the ring with a slight bow.
Mrs. Blount." he said pleasantly
ALLOW me-" Andrew nodded assent as
he dropped the ring into her itching
palm. "Only a word Of counsel" he
said. Remember that who l am and
what my exact intentions may be are
Of no interest to you. SO be careful
Having thus ~admonished her he lief,
her alone to her happiness.
And Mrs. Blount, watching the lux
urious play Of the varicolored rays
from the diamond, murmured content
eddy in the softest notes Of her throaty
voice:
Gee! 1t sure pays to be honest"
The servant Don announced to An,
drew the arrival Of Miss RlOunt and
was directed to show the young lady
into the library as soOn as she should
he ready for an interview.
Andrew descended to the library Will
an eagerness Of expectancy that was
almost d~isconcerting to himself. He
ordered Parker, whom he found al
ready stationed in the hall. to main
tain the privacy of the library, to bring
Walter on hearing the bell. And Al
last a delicate rustling Of draperies
sounded at the door. and Lucene en-
tered.
The girl stopped short at sight OF tn
man, arrested for a moment by tn
stress Of emotion. No least trace o
Maggie Flint, nursemaid and convict
remained visible in the poised lowell
ness Of this gentle maiden. The prom
Use Of her beauty had been most nobl!
fulfilled. She was Of dainty fairness
with a golden crown Of locks like corr
silk in the sun, as lustrOus. as flnel,
spun. The exquisite features. set Il
the perfect oval Of the face. were peal
pure of coloring. save where the bloo'
tint blushed in cheeks and deepene'
winsonely In lips.
At his, smile Lucene came to hir
swiftly
"Oh. at laser she exclaimed.
Hi smije grew ~ - soe&o:
'Yes'ro not going b b looseeaDe q
1 aro y0u. LDOo0Ot