The Washington herald., 1922-03-02
: os.ts.sss frsr Ys.s~ses,

- = - =. - - = J, =
Jsanne's mother-in-law gave no
evidence that she had overheard
the 5eonversation between Vera Day
ton and her daughter-in-law. But
her siishtly compressed lips. and
the expression in her pale gray
eyes varded off any overture Of
frisadliness.
Jeanne wondered just how much
she had heard. She hoped desper-
atefy that Mrs Barstowe would
ask what Vera meant by yattribu:-
Ing the gifts OF the ruby necklace
TO bonnicetti. She knew in her
heart though. that her mother-in-
law was too weff-bred to display
curiosity. and that any voluntary
cxpianation Of her, own would only
seem an evidence Of . guilty con-
g epee.
4 SHOULD like to- see you. Vera.
when you leave Jeanne" said Mrs.
Barstowe, from the doorway. Il
shalf 10 In my sitting room" she
ed1ed. a. she turned away.
Til be there In q minute, Mother
Barstowe.' declared Vera brightly.
sfss just been admiring Jsanne,s
ruhjes. Aren't they darlings Isn't
Mrs. :. s.rssowe ssSdsd friEidy
gExactly as II nothing unpleas-
ant had happened, Jeanne seated
herself on the chaise lounge In a
sunny corner Of her sitting room,
and unfofded the morning paper.
when you finish looking at the
rubies. please drop them back In
the box she said, from behind the
vide spread pages
Her tone was one of dismissal.
:, Vera complied with q shrug.
TN see you tonight" she re-
marked carelessly, Eau revoir."
When night came. and the hour
for the dinner rolled around. Jeanne
dressed with exquisite care. She
wore white brocade simply made.
but darlingiy cut. Against her
white flesh the rubies were Grim
son fire. She was arrestinGly
lovely. and she did not need Vic
Barstowe's eyes to tell her so. She
was conscious Of the sensation her
b beauty was creating among the
guests who had been bidden to
meet her. but with unusual mod
esty. she put 1t down 20 sne
rubies. si. .... .
Travped.
She had no difficulty whatever in
locating the famous Jewel expert
about whom her mother-in-law had
spoken
One Of the first guests to arrive
was a weazened little man with a
very bald-head and old-fashioned
sideburns. He greeted his hostess
with continental bow. and raised
her hand TO his lips. Jeanne he
scarcely saw. His eyes were imme-
dfately riveted on the necklace. and
IN them was the eager look OF the
connoisseur, who sees a beautiful
specimen of his own particular
hobby. 49,.
Though the little man passed on
and his attention was Immediately
engaged by other guests who
seemed to regard him as the Hon
CO the occasion, Jeanne could feel
he small eyes on. her throat. with
its ciroling strand Of hery gems.
He turned out to be her dinner
psrtner. He wasted no time in pre-
1iminaries. As soon as he had
seated her at the table. orchid laden.
gold-plate, he turned to her, his
eyes fastened greedily on the neck
i&e. - - ..-s - ~
HIS question was shot forth with
the suddenness OF machine gun
opening fire.
ewhere did you get that neck
lacer, -s-- =
Jeanne, looked up smiiingly.
"An heirloom" she said lightly.
hrgering the rubies. Are they not
IovsiyT-
His small eyes fai-iy bored
through her
WHO are you" he asked abrupt
".
She raised one white shoulder, as
thodgh to iud--ste pnlite surprise
that he mead ask. .
srAsDzre," she said. 'I was Jeanne
Dars before my marriage" -
Dare? Dare7" he repeated.