Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-11


Rutherford started guilty. tnen
atraightened up and faced the door. lie
had recognized the voice Of Mr. Henry
Talcott and momentarily waited for MIN
to enter and create scene. Craig had
a well-bred objection to scenes of this
character, and had never expected to be
n PARTY to one: but the Interpretation
which the husband of this girl would put
upon the present situation was painfully
clear TO him
Mr.. Henry Talcott however did not
choose to appear.
Craig glanced down at his companion
She was leaning back in her chair, actu-
ally looking relieved and easy
you are not alone in the house, thenF
he half-asked, helf-asserted.
81 shall not be alone now" she an
swered smiling.
In that extraordinary moment, Ruther-
ford could only look at her in silent Won
der. What was she trying to do and
why had she brought him into the house
at all? Was all their elaborate search OF
the house merely part of somo new
scheme she was trying to work out? And
why, since Mr.. Talcott evidently resented
his intrusion. didn't that gentleman walk
In and demand an explanation or apol-
ogy? The situation was beyond even
guessing: it absolutely baffled Ruther-
ford's powers of deduction.
AS IL in answer to his unspoken aues-
tions, the girl continued;
''Mr. Rutherford. it is only fair to you
to tell you why | came with you today,
and why 1 asked you to enter this
house
Rutherford held his peace, wondering
what new prase of the inexpllcable situ-
alton was to develop.
''wiII you be good enough to give me
the buciSle?'
What buclle?" he asked in amaze
ment.
"The blue buckle" she answered: the
one you saw me wear on board ship"
Her hand was extended confidently.
She was asking him to restore some
thing he never laid hands upon, some
thing he had not thought about all that
day.
"Glve you the buckle, Mrs Talcott!
How can 1? You know / haven't had it,
IT think you will find it in your pocket,
II you try" she insisted.
He thrust his hands into the pockets Of
the light topcoat he wore.
mot there" she said "in your other
coat, please
He reached skeptically into the left
pocket of his coat. and an expression OF
complete bewllderment crept over his
face The girl smiled at his dismay
"out with IT." she said, jestingly.
Slowly he drew forth his hand and Of
fered her its contents.
strand of stones worth at least fifty
thousand dollars.
The girl made no effort TO take il, but
instead drew back with little excla-
nation. He himself looked at her grave
iy, his worst fears realized-and again
wave OF anger swept over him, that he
should have been lugged bodily as 1t
we're, into wretched smuggling scheme.
As she made no move to take the gems,
he laid them upon the desk
mo, no! l don't want that! | want
the buckle, please. auick!' she begged.
This is your property" he persisted,
obstinately.
II don't understand you-but please,
the buckle Look in your other pocket"
Obedient to the whims of this astonish-
ing person, he felt in his other pocket
The sharp corners of the blue buckle
pricked his fingers. He drew it out, and
with rapturous joy which would seem
tngly have welcomed the necklace. she
extended both hands for this simple
tiinket.
May examine it?" he asked quietly
retaining possession of the buckle.
She elasped and unclasped her fingers
nerveusly, and watched him with mani
fest concern, while he leisurely scrutin-
lied the object.
IL proved to be more interesting than
he had thought. II was ancient and bat
tered and SCARED. Its workmanship, by
hand, was that of a day when metal
smiths were less accomplished. Its chief
distinction. however and one that added
to the mystery which seemed to surround
this girl lay in an inscription scratched
deeply into the steel and running across |
the upper and lower edge of the oblong
buckle. Craig traced the puzzlng letters
with an effort;
OK WI EsAFIPsE
'Nhat does It mean?' he asked.
'Ah. IL I only knew" she exclaimed.
How often have I puzzled over il! II
may mean something's great deal 10 |
both Of US 1t may mean nothing at all.
And II II means nothing-I-I don't think |
can bear it!'
The tears stood in her eyes as she
reached again for the buckle. He re-
leased 1t, standing for the fftieth time at
s loss for words, There lay the glittering |
utterly unnotieed by her /
ahlie she pressed this plain little steel |
buckle TO her breast. He knew now that /
she was not acting part-that her |
trouble was very real and yital-and her
genuine distress drew him TO her far more |
strongly than any Of her previous moods /
had done.
Suddenly she stood alert. looking wildly
about
What was thatG" she whispered.
= hessd nothing" he replied in low but
tones.
4 vehicle has stopped In front OF the /
zeeF Do you think we could have been
followed from the pier2''
as not think 50 1 saw no one" he
'epfiad
Hnt your eab-you left il outsidep'
sso did I had forgotten All about
be fazlii
re should not have been 50 conf
49, she said. including herself In any /
Hleae. Listen Someone IS at the
|anr
HHa hzA 1ansled insistently Ruther-
- wondered = hs THIS girl had betrayed
s. Hstis eenesru awhile ago, Al the en-
zHzs = - IafaafE .haa she gas nov
zI##H8 zsshEaasd 8 lhe coming OF
#sHa# aIH1 So aIfH I8 s e a4a s. I4l4-aai