The log cabin Democrat., 1916-02-08
PEARLS OF PRICE By iZOLA FORESTER.
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 five in the house besides herself and Hobart-the Kincaids, whom they had known for years; Sewall Tate, Florrie Tate, his sister, and Granger Freder- icks, Hobart's best friend.
 About ten thousand, I think, Barty. rather never puts price tag on any thing, you know, but he bought them for mother at Venice when they were on their honeymoon. 1 wore them only Friday night and-and I think I put them in the little jewel drawer of my dressing table"
 Without a lock-"
 I've never locked up anything here. It cant be any guest, and l know it isn't the servants"
 Are you sure you lost them after you had taken them off-that they didn't slip of your neck somewhere?"
 But 1 only wore them that eve ming, dear, and we didn't go out of the house. If they had slipped off, don't think"
 His eyes met hers questioningly.
 "Sewall?"
 He's seemed kind of moody, don t you think so, Barty?"
 Hobart shook his head, blowing out smoke from his mouth In rings.
 Not Sewall. He's a regular fellow. Trudie. I'd rather consider even Kin caid losing his head. He's been aw- fully hard hit the last month Dropped fifty thousand in two days last week. l heard. That's why asked them out hereto rest up and get his grip back"
 The sound of chair scraping back out in the sun parlor stopped him Fredericks came in with his customary smile of splendid, genial good cheer and satisfaction with life
 "Barty," he said, happily, I'm go ing to stay here longer than you've asked me to. You cant get rid of me yet awhile. It's the most perfect rest spot I've found since l left California. kincaid says he's called back to town suddenly, but I'm going to plant my standards"
 Stay as long as you like, old man. , answered Hobart heartily. 50 Kin caid's going today? He hadn't told me. I'm mighty sorry
 Gertrude could not help looking at him meaningly. It seemed terrible even to suspect in their thoughts quiet Kin caid. Barty had left the room, and she caught Granger eying her with amusement
 I've never seen you serious before, |" he said
 Am I serious?" she laughed and sighed at the same time. "Oh, Gran ger, lifes pretty much of a tangle after all. isn't it?"
 1t was a relief when the last had gone, excepting Fredericks. He sat out in the sun parlor nearly all day long working on his new play Hobart had finally settled in his own mind it must have been Kincaid. But Gertrude suspected young Sewall And. finally, there came out to the beautiful shore country home a detective.
 Hobart was in town, and Gertrude dreaded handling the affair by herself, but she gave all information by de- grees. and followed him around the house until they came on Granger in the sun parlor. She introduced the wis itor hesitatingly. And Granger stared q minute. stretched out his hand and laughed heartily
 God bless your heart, Gertrude, I didn't think you'd take it so seriously Wait minute, child" He dug into his inner coat pocket and drew out some thing wrapped in a pocket handker. chief. There are your pearls all safe and sound. You see. Hobart didn t mention them. and neither did you, and 1 couldn't tell for the life of me what you meant to do about them and I could not possibly finish that third act until you did do something deh- nite."
 Third act?" repeated Gertrude. Granger what have you done?'
 Just eXpcrimented. he answered playtully. T knew neither you nor Earty would mind a bit when you found me out I've had the very deuce Of time working out my third act, you see. and I've got just this sort of situation. only the girl steals neck lace of diamonds. But your pearls served quite as we'll But there are your pearls"
 "Oh. Granger, Granger!" She leaned back against the glass door, holding the pearls and laughing.
 The detective had stepped back into the library. Fredericks took his favor. ite seat at the round willow table, and waved his pencil at her happily.
 I'm sorry they weren't diamonds, D he said, Tt might have worked out better. Still, pearls have more char. acter."
 Copyright. 1916. by the Mcclure Newspa-
 per Syndlcate)
 History of American Oranges.