The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-04-28

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moved a handsome jewel case Of
grained morocco, unlocked this In turn,
and disclosed that same necklace
which Quoin had Just named, watch
Ing with a smile of gratifed vanity
the effect on her four friends; an eff
feet the same In no two instances.
Quoin eyed the necklace intently,
smiling at some secret thought his
quiet, s~tudious, inscrutable smile.
Peter discovered no excitement
whatever; seemed bored, II anything.
Craven sat back after one brief
look, features immobile but for eyes
that shot quick, Pickering. d~istrustful
glances right and left. To his patent
relief none Of the adjoining tables was
occupied.
And Lydia was thinking she had
never seen anything quite so beautiful
that wasn't alive. This may have been
because pearls had never found place
among her fathers presents-though
she had always desired them with a
great longing-to whom jewels had
distinct Municipalities, a meaning and
a fascination incomprehensible to the
general run of people. 1t was part Of
Lydia's inheritance to love and to long
TO possess all I'M of beautiful
things.
At length, "Sixty thousand dollars?"
Quoin inquired listlessly.
my dear man, / do believe you've
seen the bill !"
Smiling, the detective shook his
head.
"Worth half as much again." Mrs.
Merrilees affirmed. "Cottier wanted
ninety"
''They seem perfectly matched"
Quoin pursued. knitting his brows;
but I'd like TO look at them In a
stronger light"
take them out into the sun, If you
like"
Craven sat forward in nervous Inn
patience. do be reasonable ne ex-
Insulated. ats sheer idiocy to have
that thing up here at all, with Goa
knows who spyingl And there are
some queer fish aboard-eh, QuoinT'
"Ratherp the detective agreed
dryly.
"Please be adyisedf" Craven urged.
Lock that thing up again and let me
take II back to the purser."
"Tad, you're tiresome!" Mrs. Merri-
lees began. i.
But Quoin interrupted. Craven is
right"
"Oh, Welt II you will spoil every
thing, take all the fun out OF my sur
prise"
"Surprise?" Peter echoed.
Mrs. Merrilees nodded emphaticaiiy'
Look well at them, my friends; Ior
The minute / get them through the
customs. TO safe deposit they go ana
there remain" She paused deliberate
ly. with a challenging smile.
"Why?" Peter demanded bianKiy
.non't Won ever mean TO wear EN-,
BettyT"
She shook her head. They're moi
for me. Peter. If l dared smuggle'
T should wear them, just to be sassy
about II. But since / don't dare ]
mean to keep them for a wedding pres
ent 70 my stepdaughter-if | ever nav
one" she closed the case with a snap
Lydia sat back with a little gasp
har ewes blank with confusion. Quoir
laughed an odd, brief laugh, anc
danced askanee at Craven. This last
turned TO his betrothed with a star
tied gesture and lips that CAPPED. Re
tar TRAIT alone betrayed no abnorma
emotion. Grinning cheerfully, NJ
watched the two women, absorbed II
each other-Lydia finding breath
enoueh for the protest, But, Mrs
Merrilees, you MUSTN'T" the other con
armIng her intention with an emphati'
nod and the statement, "But I've mad
mn nv mind, dear; so you may as wei
Give me my head. Besides, you prom
,sed always to call me Betty"
Locking the metal box, h rose
come. Tad. l owe my appetite nv
more laps round the deck before
- Da,ar nlease take this back Q