The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-03-24

ruefully confessed as much to his wife.
Jack DelOrme's a fine fellow" he
said, "and the son of an old friend OF
but more recently in London, where
his parents died. There was something
wrong about old John Delorme's estate
he was supposed to be rich, but they
couldn't find any tangible evidence of
1t. Jack confided to me that he is
tracing some of the property. Leslie
doesn't have to marry money, you
know, Sara, and Jack comes Of good
stock" he ended significantly.
So Leslie's parents talked it over be-
tween them, while the love which had
arisen so suddenly burned steadily, n
pure, unwavering flame, during the
months that followed.
Mrs. Fisk Delorme's monthly dances
were usually preceded by an hours
entertainment
| Leslie and her mother arrived one
evening and found the ballroom filed
with q fashionable throng which was
enjoying a clever vaudeville perform
i
tenor delighted them with his golden
voice, and finally tall figure clad in
richly embroidered Chinese robes stalk
ed upon the stage.
1t was the Chinese of the auction
room, the man who wanted the jade
ring. Now he was preparing to mys-
tify them with feats of magic.
II A1ItA han n1 40
shrill staccato voice as he clacked out
! the "patter' of his act, and the sound
| rang in her ears long after the floor
was cleared for dancing Jack De-
lorme came in late and at once went
| to Leslie.
After their second dance he took her
| to the picture gallery, where they sat
down under group of tall palms.
~ hope you are not going away"
said the girl wistfully. Father said
you were growing tired of New York"
Jack turned swiftly and caught her
hands in his. Don't say that-don't
be kind to mew he said hoarsely. 81
can't bear it."
"Why" whispered Leslie, with rae
ing pulses.
"Why? Because love you-any one
must know that-and yet cannot ask
you to marry me. I'm poor-poor as
Jobs turkey! l had hoped l might
make good, but fate interviewed and
took away the only chance had"
"If I were poor you wouldn't hest
tate?" she asked softly.
"Ah darling, don't tantalize mev' he
muttered in an agonized tone. IF you
only knew how l loved you-how
much 1 want you for my wife! Per-
haps some day when return if you
are free-but, there, cannot ask any
girl to wait on my uncertain fortunes"
He threw up his head proudly and
smiled. Forget my unhappy walls,
Miss Leslie. Don't feel sorry for me-"
"Ah, l can't help that" confessed
Leslie. 81 must always remember you.
But please leave me alone now. want
to think"
The long gallery was empty now
save for the slender red haired girl on
the seat under the palms.
The sound of violins came alluring-
ly from the ballroom, and the slip Of
feet on the polished floor was like the
rush Of waves on the shore.
Lost in thought, Leslie did not hear
the softly padded footballs as the Chi
nese magician approached. The yellow,
clawlike hands were over her lips be-
fore she could scream out. Her eyes
were almost black with fear as she re-
garded him.
1.-THE ring" he Kissed. "I want it,
She shook her head.
Holding one hand over her lips, he
managed to rip the gloves from her fin
gers. Her hands were bare of rings.
With ferocious snar of disappoint-
ed greed he flung her away from him
and vanished down the nearest stair
way.
Assailed by new terror Leslie hur-
ried back to the ballroom and found
Jack Delorme. II am afraid for my
father" she explained. "He saw that
was not wearing the ring and he
probably thinks l left it home; he will
go there and If father meets him-I am
afraidp'
where is the ring" asked Jack
quickly.
Here" she said. pulling a fine gold
chain from her bosom. Suspended from
the chain was the jade ring.
But why do you wear it there?" he
asked amaZedly.
A beautiful color came and went i'm
her cheeks. but her eyes, were down
cast. She did not see the look of
alteration in his eyes
II will take you back to your moth.
err" he said, land do not be alarmed
l will go at once and warn your father.
and on my way III telephone the po-
lice station. / will return and report
later" He gave Leslie into her moth.
er's care and hurried away.
Breathlessly Leslie related the whole
story to her mother. and to the girls
relief Mrs. Marston insisted upon call
ing the motor and returning home at
once. They arrived shortly after Jack
Delorme reached the house.
Just as they entered the hall there