The Monte Vista journal., 1917-05-19

ture.g of the condemned because she
had lost her opium.
HI S inner conviction was that the
won an. whoever she might be, would
never claim the locket for fear her
ghastly skeleton should become public
property
Skeptical though he was as to re-
suits, he inserted a well-wOrded ad-
vertsement in the daily papers.
When Olivia Westin found the ad-
vertisement she had been seeking,
her eyes lighted in triumph until they
twitched with excitement.
She arose and took up the tele-
phone The number she called was
the one given in the advertisement.
Doctor Rylance was in his office.
When he took up the telephone re-
ceiver little snatch of song was
waited along the wire. After that de-
lightful sound Olivia's voice reached
him.
81 am most anxious about my lock-
ct" she said.
81 am sorry I opened It," Rylance
mans curiosity is thing quite be-
yond his power to control" He ap-
,precated the little laugh that bound
ed along the wires. "When can YOU
call for the locket?" He was con
scious of keen desire to study this
opium fiend at close range.
81 will call this afternoon" olivia
said eagerly.
The growing tone in her voice
caused the doctor to sigh as he hung
up the receiver 1t was evident that
she was joyous over the prospect OF
regaining her lost property.
When the neat little nurse who act
ed as office attendant ushered Ii
Olivia it was nearing the twilight hour
The doctor was forced swiftly to his
feet. Having expected human wreck
age in one Of its most terrifying forms,
the sight of Olivia was frightfully un-
setting.
at was silly of me to lose my pre-
cious locket," she said. 81 don't know
how it happened. It is usually so Sc
cure" She gazed calmly, if admir-
ingly, at Rylance.
"You-you don't look like an opium
tiend," was his startled somment.
Olivia laughed gleefully.
"Neither am l." she told him. 81
am only poor, harmless writer whose
brain has, been squeezed dry of every
plot that it ever possessed. I hadn't
written story for ten whole days"
She turned tragic eyes full upon Doc
tor Rylance without needing the effect
on his masculine senses. II delib-
erately lost my locket-just to see who
would find it and"
"But what thieves are you assO-
ciated with from whom you obtain
opium?" he questioned. "It's crime.
you know"
"My brother" said Olivia loftily
with flaming cheeks. "is a chemist"
"And fool if he gives you opium
to make plots for stories out Of"
"He-he didn't give it to me. I
knew where it was kept" She glanced
up swiftly in defense of her brother.
He thinks me all kinds of foolish
person because of the things 1 do to
get atmosphere for stories"
Doctor Rylance was looking at her
in way entirely uncalled for, consid-
ering the newness Of the acquaintance
Olivia feared, from the manner in
which her heart had taken to beating
that something other than short
story was going to be the outcome of
her act. Never had it acted in this
unusual way in the search for mate
rial.
"You may be silly" Rylance finally
voiced some of the thoughts running
riot in his brain during that long meet
ing with Olivia's eyes, "but you are
also-many other things-Of much
nicer order" He rejoiced at the swift
rush of color into Olivia's cheeks. 81
don't get much time to read the maga-
zines, but l suppose they occasionally
take story of love at first sight. If
you want any facts or suggestions re-
garding the emotions of man who
has fallen suddenly, unexpectedly and
completely in love at first sght-just
you come to me-will you?" There
was hint Of pleading below the laugh
ter in the Doctors voice.
"My Imagination is rather good"
Olivia told him, $50 think 1t will not
be difficult to weave some kind of
story out of this situation"
The doctor smiled knowingly and
Olivia made good her escape. II
would be rather curious, even In n
story Shnnll hnth the hnrn and L..---