The Washington herald., 1920-04-01

CvIu.-A WEAPON of DIAMONDS.
!. Having once made up my mind. !
an always quick to act. Within
three minutes was bowling
through the streets.
I counted out the contents Of my
purse. had ss5 in bills and silver.
Yes, that would be ample 20 redeem
lfhe watch. purchase my ticket for
n, country, and leave q little sur
bus.
In an incredibly short time. I had
teached my destination. The cax1
rev up outside a mean-looking lit
Ne shop in a drab side street.
~ descended. telling the driver to
wait. / had no mind to be left alone
m this shady neighborhood.
" And then ! went inside the place.
A greasy-lookinE Jew came for
ward at the summoning tinkle OF
lhe shop bell He beamed oilily
upon me.
'sYes, ma'am. You have some
hing that you wish to show me?"
he rubbed plump hands together;
mirking.
(, His face fell visibly when I pro-
fuced the ticket.
4 But IL was a gen'elman that
eft the goods" he murmured
cleared my throat
Il am a friend of his" I said. fore
mg the words out sorely against
ny will.
8 I paid the $40. received the watch
-
ing taxi. My mission was accom-
Wished
And was glad. For now II might
ke possible to find out Jim's part In
he affair. 1 could wear the watch
In Jim's presence-watch his race
twhen his eyes rested on it-see II
ne sight of II stirred up any memo
hes-
" Then my heart sank. For there
,Fere great gaps in Jim's memory
sgince his accident-gaps that never
might be bridged.
e oh. would day como when ne
EouIbremember me, his secret w1fe!
- Why, why hadn't l confessed the
whole truth before?
!, 1t was too late now. In view OF
fins utter bewilderment at any
such announcement, and my own
brevious silence, they never would
Selieye me-neveri
But-here i gave a wan smile-l
had my marriage certificate. per
sectly intact That was proof posi-
i've.
= Yet my proud heart told me that
aot until Jim himself assured me
,f his love-not until Jim himself
announced our marriage, proudly
IKE a happy bridegroom. and for
III the world to know-to, not till
hen would I take any steps to let
my true position as Jim's wife be
tnown!
Ethically, I suppose, I had no
right to redeem Alice's diamond
bracelet from its lowly sojourn in
he pawnbroker's establishment.
But the ethics Of the situation
lidn't worry me at all.
The discovery might lead to some
hing. And dAlice-doubtless-
he-thankful to have her property
pack agin.
Oh, / must completely disillusion
her as to Tony and his doings!
Though 1 couldn't possibly approve
Of Alice, I must stand by my own
,Jex, and stop Tony's goings-on.
.Phere. were limits to the patience
II even the most indulgent husband.
kIice's Iife-partner might, like the
proverbial worm. do some turn
mg" that would be far from pleas
mt. This in the near future. too.
,anless the flirtatious Alice mended
her little ways.
As the train carried me swiftly
towards the object of my solicitude,
NY thoughts as usual reverted to
The invalid-Jim St Aubyns. l be-
gan to dread the news that I might
aear Suppose poor Jim were worse?
Suppose the operation hadn't been
suite successful. and the brain were
permanently affected? oh. suppose
1 thousand things?
OF all emotions, love can be the
most torturing.
? I loved Jim. And-loving him
suffered endlessly.
His mother would be with him
now. And 1 felt Jealous OF his moth
Er. 1t was an ignoble feeling. And
was ashamed. But 1t persisted
All, IL I only had the right to
permanent position as Jim's nurse.
Submerged in a sudden mood of
hepression, I told myself that