The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-10-28

Win nave sincerity ne DeHeNeu
that what he had done on the spur
OF the moment had been the only
thing to do.
BY snatching the Flaming Jewel
from QuIntana's very fingers he had
diverted that vindictive bandits fury
from Eve, from CIinch. from Stor-
mont, and had centered it upon him.
self.
More than that. he had sown the
seeds OF suspicion among Quintana's
own people. They never could dis
cover Salzar's body. Always they must
believe that # was Nicolas Salzar and
no other who so treacherously robbed
them. and who rode away in a rain
Of bullets, shaking the emblazoned
morocco case above his masked head
in triumph, derision and defiance.
At the recollection Of what had hap
pened. Hal Sn 18th drew bride. and,
sitting his saddle there in the false
dawn. threw back his handsome head
and laughed until the fading stars
overhead swan in his eyes through
tears Of sheerest mirth-
His fingers trembled slightly as he
pressed the jsweled spring. 1t opened
ON an empty casket-
In the sudden shock OF horror and
astonIshment. his cOnvulsive clutch
ON the spring started a tiny bell
ringing. Then, under his very nose.
the empty tray slid aside revealing
another tray underneath. set dolidly
=
Streamed from the unset gems in the
siiken tray. Like an incredulOus child
he touched them. They were mag
nifcently real
In the center lay blazing the great
Erosite sefn-the Flaming Jewel it
self. Priceless diamonds, sapphires,
5neralds ringed 1t. In his hands he
held nearly four millions Of dollars.
Gingerly he balanced the en-
JIazoned case, fascinated. Then he
replaced the empty tray. closed the
box. thrust it into the bosom Of his
flannel shirt and buttoned it In.
Now there was little more for this
excited young man 10 DO. He was
through with Clinch. Hal Smith,
noId-up man and dish-washer at
Clinch's Dump. had ended his career.
The time had now arrived for HIM
to vanish and make room for James
Darragh-
For by this time the Grand
Duchess Of EsthOnia-Ricca, as she
was called by her companion, Val
Cntine. the pretty Countess Orloff-
Strelwitz-must have arrived in New
York.
He lifted the bride from the
horses neck, divided curb and snaffle
thoughtfully, touched the splendid
animal with heel and toe.
As he cantered on into the wide
forest road that led to his late IN
forest road that led to his late
uncles abode. curiosity led him to
wheel into a narrower trail running
east along Star Pond. and from
whence he could take farewell view
Of CInch's Dump.
Alders still concealed the house
across the lake. but the trail was al
ready coming out into the starlight.
Suddenly his horse stopped short.
trembling. its ears pricked forward.
Darragh sat listening intently for a
moment Then with infinite caution
he leaned over the cantle and gently
parted the alders.
On the pebbled beach. full in the
starlight, stood two figures. one white
and slim, the other dark.
The arm Of the dark figure clasped
the waist Of the white and slender
one.
''Evei Jack Stormontl What the
devil are you doing over here?"
Stormont walked slowly up TO his
own horse. laid one unsteady hand on
its silky nose. kept it there while
dusty. velvet lips mumbled and car
essed his fingers.
Il knew it was a cavalryman," he
said quietly. II suspected you, Jim.
It was the sort of crazy thing you
were likely to do. 1 don't ask
YOU what you're up to. where you've
been, what your plans may be. II
you needed me you'd have told me.
But I've got to have my horse for
Eve. Her feet are wounded. She's
in her night dress and wringing wet
I've got to set her on my horse and
try TO take her through to Ghost
Lake"
Darragh stared at StorInont, at the
ghostly figure OF the girl who had
sunk down on the sand at the lakes
edge. Then ne scrambled out of the
saddle and handed over the bride.
Jack. your tunic breeches are
soaked III be glad to chip in some
thing for Eve "Wait a moment
He stepped into cover. drew the
morocco box from his gray shirt,
showed it into his hip pocket.
men he threw off his cartridge belt
and hunting coat, pulled the gray
shirt over his head and came out in
his undershirt and breeches, with the
other garments hanging over his arm.
"Give her these" he said. "She
can button the coat around her waist
for a skirt. She'd better go somewhere
and get out of that soaking-wet night
dress"
Eve, crouched on the sand, trying
to wiring out and twist up her
drenched hair. looked up at Stormont
as he came toward her holding out
Darragh's dry clothing.
You'd better do what you can with
these" ne said. trying to speak care
lessly He says you'd better
chuci-what you're wearing"