The Springfield herald., 1916-01-07
LOVES WTTcHcRAFT
Dy CAROL HAiNEs.

tiful Russian dances and make . for-
tune. Then one night. a. she had been
from the theater. her car
had crashed into another and she had
been injured. And. after slow months
of pain, her money had gradually
slipped away, like her new found
friends. until only Tillie. the little
East side maid. remained
faithful. Now. to her hands. Sonia
intrusted her last treasure. She had
held It back from sentiment. and yet
she did not know the donor.
It had come to her the nrst night
in New York-sent without . card.
Tho curious gem was rounded on one
side and concaved on the other. some
thing like . reducing glass. And It
changed color almost constantly.
Without . penny left. she had given
It to Tillie to dispose Of. and Tillie
went unwillingly up tho stairs into the
shop ON the second floor. There was
one other customer bending over
case in . dim corner. An old man
came forward slowly and took the
case from her hand.
Where did you get this?" asked
tho man. after a pause.
From the lady work for. She
don't want her name used"
And she wishes to dispose of this;
yes7
Right away. She amt got any
money for anything And she'll never
dance again. She broke her ankles.
l guess, and something went wrong
with her back. too. when the car
smashed up. II we don't sell this
she'll be q charity case next week. Oh,
won't you buy 1t. please?"
He walked around the cases to
where the other man stood and spoke
in Q low but audible tone, for Titles
ears were sharp.
1T has come to us of its own voli-
tion, prince"
The other took the case and re-
garded the gem in silence, but Tillie
caught a glimpse of his face. Surely
1t was very handsome. she thought.
and the old man had said prince.
1T Is the same, is 1t not, sir?"
The prince bowed his head, looking
at the gem as 1t lay now in his palm.
Il will purchase it from her." he
said. II will not buy this gem, tell
you mistress, but l will make her a
loan on it, for l have no right to take
advantage of her circumstances, and
1t is worth far more than she realizes.
1 will give you a check for FIVE thou
sand now. II she needs more you will
come back here and tell stoll what
you require. That Is ALL
Whats your royal highness'
name" asked Tillie bravely. She'll
want to know"
He detached q seal charm from q
black silk fob and gave it to her.
for her gem"
Tillie never forgot the face Of Sonia
Lavilon when she looked upon the
charm.
Take 1t back to him." she ordered.
And the check. 1 might have known
where the gem came from. Wait,
Tillie, will tell you something. for
you have been kind to me. and my ono
friend here. l danced by royal order
before the Persian court. and there
was one, Prince Affair Cassam Bey."
Her eyes closed as she spoke softly.
you have seen him. 30 you will not
wonder that l cared for him, but 1 re-
turned to Russia and came straight to
America, fleeing from my own love
for him. Now he has followed me. l
cannot accept his charity. tell him.
And the gem II his. He should not
have sent It to me-
and wise in her own generation and
hour, went downstairs to the public
telephone and called up Mr.. Stoll. TIL
lie waited in the reception room nerv-
ously, but before the street lights
flashed in the gathering dusk closed
limousine rolled up to the curb and
the prince alighted.
You did right. little maid" he told
her, with his rare smile. You shall
choose your own gift at the bridal of
your lady"
Tillie followed him upstairs timidly
and sat on the edge of q hall chair
while he went into the little private
room in response to Sonia's faint call
at his rap. The silence seemed filled
with song and beauty and high hopes.
and the tears fell happily from Titles
eyes as she felt herself to be herald
of happiness to her lady. Finally the
door opened and the prince called ner
You will stay with her constantly,
he said gently. Il will make all ar
rangements for her removal to-
night" He bent over the cot with
yearning tenderness. Sonia. we will
find the sea first, and rest there until
you are we'll. my bride. I bless the
sacred gem that brought you back to
me-"
After he had gone. Sonia smiled at
the wide-eyed Tillie.
He sent me the gem himself, TIL
lie," she said. 1T Is supposed to have
magical qualities for bringing back a
lost love; and you see what it has
done for us. had not dreamed that
he loved me so.'
Tillie beamed on her joyfully.
Who'd have thought a piece of
shiny glass could do all that?"
Sonia held the gem on her palm
smilingly. 1t was clear and radiant
with perfect CLEANS of color.
1T is loves witchcraft,' she said
softly.