Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1917-10-11
AUTHOR Of THE LONE
WOLF, THE BRASS
BOWL, ETC.
COPYRIGHT By Loul5 JOSEPH VANCE


from the necklace"
THAT will content me-" Mrs. McrrI.
lees affirmed.
Here knock fell on the door, and
the Dowagcr Dragon, for all her pro-
tested iniirnity, rose with the sprynesi
uf youth.
"No don't 20 yet. It's only some.
thing I've 'ccn expecting. And | want
on" word more with you--about the
girl Lydia. Whatever you do, under
stand. l won't have Der run out Of
town. or annoyed. or frightened, or
ill-trcatcd in any way"
With this she disappeared down the
hallway. Followed II sound Of voices
muruiuI'ng
Quoin and Mrs. Mcrrilecs fingered in
n"nht and silence, the gnZe Of cncn
Fcc!.ng The others; while, to one side
by these two forgotten, Peter Trait
| waited, watching, some little sadness
/ und envy in his heart.
Not that he grudged Quoin the gler-
/ don Of Il ile,mc's ulISeltish devotion ;
but he felt quite justified In envying
them the happiness that was to be
theirs. If lie could ever hope to see
Lydia CrHven look up into his face as
| Betty M"rrlccs was just then looking
up ut Quoin-
Betty. in a melting humor and n
gown representing the finest flower o.
The Rue de In PaiX. to Peters fancy
cut Il figure that filed your eye. And
in such matters Peter esteemed him
self Il distinguished amateur.
But orcc Lydia Craven had entered
the drawing room Peter no longer
cared TO l"o!; at Betty. A fellows got
only Il certain limited amount of eye
sight. after all. ard it's no good vast
Ing 1t on anything he isn't really crazy
about
In the severity of her street dress
The girls figure had graciousness that
even BcttyS couldn't shadow. And
lydia's face, set against the darkness
Of one Of those trim little hats which
IL those days were just beginning to
Dust TIE rt-npuvcau-ccul-hod enurni-
tics-l.Tdta's ruddy hair, the tranSpar-
ent paiiDr Of her brow. til" fine glow
ii checks fresh from the rainy night.
her dark and animated eyes brighten
Ing Wi'iI surprise and half-timid pleas
urr-l;llcn altogether Peter fought
l.ydin'l f"irncss WAS 20 Bctty's as sun
to candlclight.
But with delight apprehension was
mixed in his mind. There were S'ill
nmcG; for one. the antagonis:n within
the scXcs-witlin the sex. rather; for
It was the attitudes often adopted
toward one another by the most ami
adj" and delightful of women that per
> picked his understanding.
Now. with real provocation on hel
side. Whit would be Bctty's attitude
toward this rival beauty?
His solicitudc was wasted. Eithe
h" underestimate the generosity o
Betty. or Lydins righteousness dis
armed. Construint was absent from
their meeting: they went ut once t,
each others arms.
cts so good to find you here. Betty
Oh. good evening, Mr.. Quoin-AIr
Trait. good evening. The best part is
=. | thought you We're stopping here, AM
+. WAS in despair when l found yo
weren't"
y cts dear of you; but"
II was so anxious to give yOu-thls
AS she spoke the puzzle box left Lyt
las keeping finally and for all time.
Betty Merrilees uttered low or,
"Ths:" she questioned in Il strang
voice. "WLut?"
i "A1ust say?' Lydia laughed
:. don't believe you really want me to-
Il "Not my necklace!" the woma
gaspcd.
e "Thcrc. I didn't tell-did I, Mr.
Bcggnrstaif?"
NO, dear child; but we knew all tt
tine"
Incontincntly Lydia was owe
;c whcmcd by very unexpected, Vi
T. called-for. mo;hcrly and protructt
10 embrace: which. while it didn't lac
% affection. served as we'll the most di
Il lOnatic purpose of preventing the ri
III from noticing Betty's half-hystcric
le attempts to open the puzzle box NJ
o. that the Dowagcr Dragon was makir
" significant faces at Quoin over h
1t shoulder.
w "Pcrmt me, Betty" Quoin sugges
Ut ed. IL think l know the trick"
In another breath the box was ope
&c the necklace in its owners hands.
v. "Merely my foolish delight to s
O. YOU again so soon. my DEAR A hal
Of patted affectionatcly one of I.ydi.
flushed cheeks as. released, Breathe.
and wandering, sire stepped back
n. readjust her hat.
ny you're awfully good to mo, NJ
Ell Bcggarstaff. But can't stop minu
nd I've another errand to run for father
~, he's very busy tonight"
nc another errand.- Betty Merrile
re parroted out of mind perhaps p;
tioen:..- .c::....s.-...