Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-01-27
CHAPTER WI.

The windows Of Mrs. R%heinholdt's
town house were ablaze with light. A
crimson drugget stretched down the
steps to the curbstone. A long
row of automobiles stood waiting.
Through the wide.tiung door was Wis.,
ible a pleasant impression OF flowers
and light and luxury. In the nearer
Of the two large reception rooms Mrs.
Rheinholdt herself. a woman dark.
handsome and in the prime OF life,
was standing to receive hsr guests.
BY her side was her son. whose twen-
ty-irst birthday was being celebrated.
Il wonder whether that professor of
yours will Gomez" she remarked. as
the stream of incoming guests slack.
ened for a moment.
"He hates receptions" the boy re-
piled. but he promised he'd come.
never thought, when he used to drill
science into US at the lectures. that
he was going to be a tremendous big
pot"
Mrs. Rheinholdt's plump finger toyed
for a moment complacently with the
diamonds which hung from her neck.
You can never tell in a world like
this" she murmured.
Here he is, mother!!" the young man
exclaimed suddenly. Good old boy!
| thought he'd keep his word"
Mrs. Rheinholdt assumed her most
encouraging and c~ondescending smile
as she held out both hands to the pro-
fessor.
1T is perfectly sweet of you. pro-
fessor." Mrs. Rheinholdt declared.
Mrs. Rheinholdt breathed a sigh Of
relief as she greeted her new arrivals.
The professor made himself univer-
sally agreeable in a mild way, and his
presence created even more than the
sensation which Mrs. Rheinholdt had
hoped for. In her desire to show
him ample honor she seldom left his
side.
81 am going to take you into my
husbands study" she suggested, later
on in the evening. "He has some spe-
CimenS of beetles
Beetles" the professor declared,
with some excitement, occupied pre-
cisely two months Of my time while
abroad. BY all means. Mrs. Rhein-
holdt!"
we shall have to go quite to the
back OF the house." she explained, as
she led him along the darkened pas
sages.
The professor smiled acquiescently.
His eyes rested for a moment upon
her necklace.
You must really permit me. Mrs.
Rheinholdt." he exclaimed, ito admire
your wonderful stones. ! am q judge
of diamonds, and those three or four
in the center are. | should judge,
unique"
She held them ont to him. The
professor laid the end Of the neck
lace gently in the palm of his hand and
examined them through a horn.rimmed
eyeglass.
"They are wonderful" he murmured,
wonderful! Why"
He turned away a little abruptly.
They had reached the back of the
house and a door from outside had
Just been opened. A mar had crossed
the threshold with a coat over his arm
and was standing now looking at
them.
How extraordinary" the professor
remarked. as that you. Craig"
Eyes, sir" he replied. There is a
rainstorm. 80 l ventured to bring your
macintosh"
VERY thoughtful the professor
murmured approvingly. II have a
weakness" he went on. turning to his
hostess, for always walking home
after an evening like this. In the day.
time l am content to ride. At night l
have the fancy always to walk"
we don't walk half enough" Mrs.
Rheinholdt sighed, glancing down at
her somewhat portly figure. Dixon"
she added, turning to the footman who