The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1915-02-25

impulsively. Il know that. But if you
would only investigate you would find
that l tell the truth"
'All details Of your story have been
proved, Miss Love-" gravely. sadly. an
sWered the cabinet minister. but there
is no evidence in your fathers favor
What would be the motive for Hugo
Loubeque"-
Revenge" she answered quickly.
Cant you see''-
'1f it could be proved
! He was interrupted by the entrance
of a clerk with card The secretary
frowned, then listened to the whispered
explanation of the man. slight smile
upon his face.
''Mr. discretionary Lieutenant
Gibson
Lucille sprang to her feet. all confu-
sion. The last time she had seen her
sweetheart he had repulsed her
, Gibson entered quickly. halted alb
ruptly at sight of the woman he loved
standing there, with the gentle love
light in her eyes and the reproach of
maid offended in her form Slowly,
: very slowly, he placed the little ivory
box in her hands. the box which Hugo
Loubeque had given to him She look,
ed at him inquiringly and his lips
parted:
From Hugo Loubeque with hopes
for forgiveness and felicitation
| With trembling fingers she pried
! open the delicate lid. then gave a sharp
! cry Of disappointment that was echoed
j by one of mute admiration and amaze.
Inent from the others as, turning the
| box upside down. the wonderful ruby
necklace fell upon the floor. every blood
red facet darling a thousand threats
at them. But Lucille's eyes paid the
necklace no heed. Instead they fasten-
ed upon little slip Of paper in the
bottom of the box:
| Page from diary Of Hugo Loubeque
In account with General Sumpter
| Love for dismissal from West Point
and robbing me Of Lucille
Theft committed'-
She read no farther. but. sobbing
with the abandonment of a child.
placed the page from the diary in the
| .AeAAAoo VI thO oCSACldAy VI war
II see," he murmured quietly. You
say. Mr.. Gibson, Hugo Loubeque gave
this to you to hand to Miss Love:'
Yes sir"
| IF you do not object, Miss Love-" he
said to the girl, with little knowing
smile in the direction Of her sweet
heart. Il shall take this Immediately
before the board of inquiry. think,
with your story and the vertical
tons have gathered of it's details. it
will not only clear your father. but
also return to the army young lieu
! tenant who had been named captain at
the time this unfortunate incident oc-
cured"
! Evidently, important cabinet officer
though he was the secretary expected
no answer, for he did not even glance
back at the couple. who We're SO for
getful of etiquette as to ignore him.
But Lucille had her arms close. close
about the neck of Richard Gibson. and
that young man was only mindful Of
Ills burden at the moment.
At his desk General Sumpter Love
| came to him. His eyes closed YEARLY
and his head sank forward upon his
chest. a victim OF dreams-dreams of
the long ago. 1t had been hard, giving
up to another this daughter whom he
had only just regained. And yet
and yet-there was another Lucille
"Luciller'
"You called. father?'
Lucille's arms were about his neck,
! Just as they had been about his neck
that other time in Manila when she
coaxed his consent to her marriage to
Gibson. And Gibson. with the straps
OF a captain. was standing once more
In the doorway.
His hand rose to pat the rose petal
cheek Of her. Then his fingers en-
countered the necklace about her
throat. AS though he had struck q
| snake. his hand recoiled.