Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-01

girls was even more fruitful OF result
than her way with men. They might
laugh at her. criticize her, or even call
her names significant of disdafn. but
they never left her long to herself or
missed an opportunity to make the
most of her irrepressible chatter.
Her satisfaction at entering this
charmed circle did not take from her
from her lips as she futtered about
now here, now there, in her endless
preparations for retirement. She had
taken of her historic pendant after it
had been duly admired and handled
by all present, and. with the careless
confidence of an assured ownership.
thrown it down upon the end of her
dresser, which, by the way. projected
very close to the open window.
Are you going to leave your jewel
there?" whispered a voice in her ear
as a burst of laughter rang out in re-
Spouse to one Of her sallies.
Turning. with stimulation OF round.
eyed wonder, she met Miss Hughson.s
5ofnder, Whats the HARM and went
on with her story with all the reckless
ease of a perfectly thoughtless nature.
Miss Hughson abandoned her protest
How could she explain her reasons for
ii to one apparently unfnitfated In the
scandal associated with their especial
clique?
Yes. she left the jewel there; but she
they must all have heard her before
reaching their rooms. Then she crossed
to the window, which, like all on this
side. opened on a balcony running the
length of the house. She was aware
of this balcony, also of the fact that
only young ladies slept in the corridor
communicating with it. But she was
not quite sure that this one corrfdor
accommodated them all. II one OF
them should room elsewherei Miss
nric i'm
anxiety displayed for the safety OF her
jewel precluded that supposition. Their
hostess, if none Of the others. was
within access of this room and It's open
window. But how about the restr FER
haps the lights would tell. Eagerly
the little schemer looked forth. and
let her glances travel down the Iuil
length of the balcony Two separeee
beams of light shot across 1t as sne
looked, and presently another. apo.
after some waiting, fourth BUT tnS
fifth failed to appear This troubled
her, but not seriously. TWO or tns
girls might be sleeping IN one
Drawing her shade. she hnfshed neS
preparations for the night; @tth
her kimono on. lifted the pendant ana
thrust it into a small box she had taken
from her trunk A curious smile, very
unlike any she had shown TO man or
woman that day. gave a sarcastic lift 70
her lips as with with slow ana
thoughtful manipulation OF her dainty
fingers she moved the jewel duouS Az
this small receptacle and then returned
1t, after one quick examining glance, 70
the very spot on the dresser from which
she had taken 1t. IF only madness 10
great enough" that smile seemed to
say. Truly. it was much to hope for. but
a chance is a chance; and, comforting
herself with the thought. Miss Strange
put out her light, and, with nasty
raising of the shade she had previously
pulled down, took . Anal look At the
prospect
It's aspect made her Sudden 4 low
fog was rising from the meadows In eno
far distance. and its ghostliness under
the moon woke all sorts OF unoenny
images in her excited mind. To escape
them she crept into bed, where she lay
with her eyes on the end OF her dresseS
She had closed that half OF the trenc1
window over which she had drawn the
shade, but she had left ajar the one
giving free access to the jewel. ana
when she was not watching the soinct.
lation of her sapphires in the moon
light she was dwelling In dxsd ettsns
tion on this narrow opening:
But nothing happened. and = 0o!9oks
then o'clock struck, without Q otns
ming of the blue scintillattons On tie
end Of her dresser. Then she sudasHN
sat up. Not that she heard AWNING
new but that Wrought had come =
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