Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-17

my brother and would make up our dif-
ferences, II for no other reason than to
secure the fortune His intention was
thwarted 1t was a part Of Gregory's re-
venge that he should get his own buckle
ana Keep II, 80 that ! might never know
the other half Of the Inscription. Even II
he had been poor, the thought OF my exile,
OF the disgrace and poverty he had heaped
upon me. would probably have been food
and warmth to him.
Rutherford sensed the bitterness with
which Ballantyne spoke he saw the ten
der sympathy IN the eyes OF the girl look
ing down upon him
1T Is only since Gregory's death, y few
months ago, that the way has been
opened" continued Ballantyne
The other buckle" Craig began.
I'VE have come to America TO And H.,
exclaimed the girl.
Some one else seems to be looking for
IT, also" said Craig casually.
Father and daughter sprang up In con-
sternatIon.
"Who?"
IA Mademoiselle Arany. who crossed
over with us on the Gothic, came to see
me about IT,"
Ballantyne and the girl turned slowly
and regarded each other with frightened
questioning eyes.
Gould she by any chance have-tha
other one?' Miss Balantyne asked in
tense voice
81 scarcely think so. she seemed to he
in doubt as to the one ! had and wanted
to see it-but had to depart ursatisRed.
How do you suppose she could have
known about the other one?"
- do not know said Balantync. knit
tins his brows Gregory must have re-
Eretted his dced-and wished to make
amends to-the woman he had loved.
"a prtn tInt r.. - i, l.
ter would place a certain advertisement in
the Canadian papers she would receive
news to her advantage. 1t is evidently
news Of the other buckle. This Miss
Arany might be Gregory's agent"
" do not think so.' said Craig decd-
edly, Have you any reason to suppose
that others know about these buckes?"
I'VE did not think so at first" answered
the girl; but shortly after father received
the buckle he was set upon In the streets
or Paris We didn't understand why, at
the time, but they must have been after
the buckle"
DID they search him?" asked Craig.
Yes. but they failed to find It before
my cries had attracted others TO our as
sistance. 1t was after that that / began
TO Keep 1t IN my possession. sophie"
Your maid? She was with you?"
Yes. my good Sophie was with me.
and she has been a treasure ever since.
taching to the blue buckle. until after
that attack on shipboard-"
What attack questioned Mr.. Ballan-
tyne, sharply.
1T was nothing" rejoined his daugh-
ter. in confusion She had evidently con-
cealed this little adventure.
what attack?" persisted her father
"A man tried to snatch the buckle
away from me- in the corridor" said
the girl, biting her lip; but fortunately
Mr.. Rutherford came to my assistance"
MY God! Am 1 exposing you to such
things as this?" Eroaned Mr.. Ballantync
taking her hands tenderly within his
own. Mr.. Rutherford, I want to thank
you. / owe it to this brave girl that |
am back here to fight for my name and
fortune. Forgive me for my attitude
awhile ago. l have grown representative
fearing that some one on this side
would recognize me-wOuld call me--just
what you did have been despairing
rather than rebellous. My daughter
however, ha" nerved me to undertake for
her sake wnat / would never have dared
do for my own. You understand that l
am in danger OF arrest You realize |
how we are trusting you?"
Rutherford nodded. He had no an |
swer ready. He was not certain whether
Ballantyne referred to the arrest which |
might come, on account of the former |
alleged misrepresentation of funds, or 10
the more recent affair of the diamond |
necklace.
You see l am trusting you with-my
fathers honor" Miss Ballantyne eN- |
claimed; and mad she been a sovereign, |
she could not have conferred title |
with greater pride
Rutherford flushed at their confidence |
but grew still more uncomfortable. We're !
they asking him to keep still about the
necklace, after he had already turned
II over to the Customs officers? lie
must make his position clear.
''Nr. Ballantyne." he said, 81 have lis
tened to strange and an interesting
story tonight l have no reason TO douDt
il, and If true, you must have been n
much-abused man. But still cannot
bring myself to justify you for securing
money to carry out your plan by SNUG
gling-and that was why | called you
names awhile ago.
MIR. Ballantyne looked at him in sur
prise. -,.
eling?" he demanded of his daughter;
"It wgs-In his pocket" Miss Ballan- |
tyne said, half reluctantly
"What wasE'
"Why, the diamond necklace everynody
has been making such russ "t aDot' oon-
You told me you had perfect con-
hdence in this man" said her tather
sternIy, stlll dlsregarding Craig
"I-havew she replied, with an exquisite
blush that made Craig's heart give suu-
why didn't you tell me about this
necklace, when you asked me to come
and enlist him further in our benalt -.
"I-well, | knew you would look at II
like man, and not see-how 1t really
was" .,,.,,.-
but she took up the cudgels Tor craig
You knew that would put the only |
possible Interpretation upon IT, Mr. BAT
iantyne replied instantly.
This was turning the tables with Feh-
and Craig listened more amused
than yexed; and through II all ne felt |
happy 10 be thus championeh.
"Why, how absurd, tather' persisted
the girl 'You don't think Mt Rutherford /
smuegled the necklace, do your
Nevertheless. the startled wideping OF /
her eyes showed how much she was ac-
customed 10 trust her fathers Judgment. /
Craig, saw that he must vindicate him-
self as much to the father as 10 the /
daughter who stood regarding him with
such intentness.
"Mr Ballantyne, some one-some SNUG /
gler-uRed me as an unconscious agent |
You can guess how much | had 70 do |
with il, when / tell you that ! turned the
necklace over to the custom house au- 4
thorities, and received their receipt FOR /
H. / tell you frankly that | believed you
to be the smuggler. l thought that you
were using the lady J. thought was your
n AHaA III