Omaha daily bee., 1916-10-23

to see you. II you mention that 1t Is
Important"
few minutes later he was spinning
towards Curzon street in Scarlet Run
ner. and reached Sir Gordon's house
Just as another large motor car had
drawn up before 1t. Evidently the oc-
cupants Of this car were expected,
for the door was opened by footman
before two ladies had had time to
alight.
They passed into the hall at once,
but Christopher saw that they were
young and pretty, one charming girl
with brilliant coloring and naturally
wavy hair of wonderful golden
| brown.
| Instead OF asking II Sir Gordon
would see him, Christopher took out
card and wrote on 1t a request for
moments interview, adding that he
had come from Miss Poinsett, bring
| ing a present from her which must
be delivered personally"
please give this to Sir Gordon
Race" he said with confidence; and
/ the servant, seeing that the name on
the card was the same as that of his
master, invited the visitor In without
hesitation. christopher was shown into
a room which seemed to be combi-
nation Of drawing room and library
When he had begun to grow impa-
tient there came through closed door
the sound of laughter from the adJoin-
| ing room, and an instant later the
door opened for Sir Gordon Race
himself.
He had Christopher's card in his
hand accepted the young man as a
cousin, said that he remembered their
meeting and invited him to stop for
breakfast. %
We're cousins. and. 1t seems, not
strangers, he went on. leading Chris
topher towards the open door.
Really. you must come. There's
little mystery to be cleared up. and
only you can clear it--this mystery of
Miss Polnsett" BY this time he had
brought the young man into the break
fast room. II have Mrs. and Miss Col
ilngwood's permission to Introduce
you. They've kindly come to wish
me luck for today, since they're not
able to see me through 1t, as | hoped
| they might. In half an hour they're
off house hunting with their motor,
instead of going into court to learn
the fate of that poor little woman"
"And before we go Sir Gordon has
promised that we shall see what Miss
poinsett has sent him." laughed the
girl with brown-gold hair, accepting
Christopher as relative Of her host.
ALSO that we shall hear what Miss
poinsett is like" merrily added Mrs.
Collingwood, who was too young to
be other than the girls stepmother
| Christopher glanced from one to the
other, and guessed at the situation.
The message written on his card had
apparently caused discussion, and
he had been called In to settle 1t. He
deducted that Miss Collingwood (evl-
| IDENTIFY an American girl accustomed
to have every within humored) was
either the great mans fiancee or on
| the point of becoming so. Sir Gordon
doubtless wished to prove that Miss
Poinsett was nothing to him and
Christopher had been summoned as
an Independent witness for the de-
fense
Christopher frankly related the
story of the yelled lady's visit and
added that he did not know whether
she were really Miss Poinsett or a
deputy Of Miss Poinsett.
ITO show you that neither do ]
know Miss Poinsett beg you'll open
the parcel,"N said Sir Gordon to Miss
Collingwood.
.Supposing there's a letter inside?"
The girl was smiling, yet Christopher
fancied that this was not quite a joke
for her,
"Then you're to read II out to me"
| Sir Gordon answered. And now tn
young man was sure that he was
right In one particular; this famous
X. C. Of 40 was deeply in love with the
girl OF 20.
There was a delicious breakfast,
but the host and his three guests
were neglecting 1t, No one could think
| OF anything save the little white par
| eel, whose dainty ribbons Miss Col
lngwood had begun Enthusiastically
to unite. The paper concealed paste
] board box and within the box, on s
bed Of jewelers. cotton lay a quaint
and beautiful antique watch Of nearly
the size and somewhat the shape. Of an
egg. The rich yellow gold was chased
in an elaborate pattern Of tiny figures,
representing birds and animals. and
the face of the watch was OF blue
enamel set round with small Jewels.
"What a lovely present. exclaimed
Mrs Collingwood. Just the kind Of
thing that my. husband adores,"
There's note with It," announced
the girl, her cheeks growing pink.
II said you were to read II" insisted
Sir Gordon.
Miss Collingwood opened folded
bit Of paper. Aloud? ?"
Eyes, aloud"
ION this. your great day, in a great
case" the young voice read. Il send
(you this In memory Of another great
day in great case and may II bring
you the good luck ] wish you. Would
, that this old Nuremburg watch were
, filled with diamonds as brilliant as
, your own arguments; but since
have not those to give. give my best,
} OF It's kind this watch is perfect AZ
you will see by the date, and an exam
nation of the works, which are unique.
Yours, ELIZABETH PoINSETT"
"Elizabeth Poinsett." echoed Sir
Gordon. by Jove That case had
forgotten"
"Ah! l thought you'd find the name
|, had associations" exclaimed Miss Col
/ lingwood. flushing
/ ITO show you how much value
, them and their souvenir, / beg you to
. accept the watch" said Sir Gordon
4 LET II bring you luck instead OF me.
. ~ couldn't think of taking It," cried
I the girl.
For your father. II not for your
SELF" pleaded Sir Gordon. "As Mrs
: Collingwood says. it's Just the thing tc
0 please collector, and it's wasted on
a me-"
n Send II back to Miss Poinsett."
/ She went away from my place
d without leaving an address," Chris.
: topher ventured to put in.
Such present from Sir Gordon
q would certainly put your father in Q
: splendid humor, Nora. dear" suggest.
o ed the pretty stepmother with mean
n ing arch Of the eyebrows, from which
u Christopher deducted parental disap.