Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-03

There's something wrong here; I
can't find the bowl"
the lights blazed. All looked at the
table. There were no pearls in the
bowl-the bowl itself was gone!
Into the silence William Turn
bridges hearty guffaw of a laugh
burst, and Mrs. Branch added her al
most hysterical merriment. Mindaton,
his thumbs caught in his waistcoat
pockets, stared at Haitian. open
nlouthed. Cameo Merdin stood as if
frozen.
1t was the laughter that angered
Haitian most. His first feeling was
that every one had conspired to make
fool of him; his second thought was
that, although some buffoon had
taken the bowl from the table, the
necklace was still missing.
Funny. no doubt" he sneered
But. we are going to find those pearls
before any one leaves this room"
why not put another bowl on the
table. Noble?" Mrs. Branch asked. ED
Mindaton has lots of bowls"
Haitian Slared at the female jester.
He thrust his left hand into the pocket
OF his coat, and his face became fiery
rcd as his hand touched something
hard and convex and rough-it was
the silver bowl,
He placed the bowl on the table; but
his eyes shone with genuine anger.
Just the same" he said, and his
voice trem5led. I'VE are going to have
those pearls. Turnbridge. find a tele-
phone. will you. and call thu"
He stopped short. for his hand re-
turned to the pocket. and he drew out
Mrs. A1indaton's pearl necklace!
II consider this a most unwarrant-d
and insulting affair." he said angrily:
arm. ''Oh. Noble, you great BABY she
cried. Cant you understand little
fun? put the bowl in your poci.et;
put the pearls there. L TOOK than out
OF Eds pocket. when l saw him hid,
ing them. you goose. ! think it has
been wonderful evening; we've had
some real eXcitment, for once. Thank
you, Ed; and you were wonderful, too,
Noble, just being yourself. Ard here
are your pearls in your silver bowl,
If that's where you want them"
x x x
CHE took the pearls from Eattan's
~ hand and laughinSIy dropped them
into the bowl.
Cameo Merdin was moving toward
the open fire at the far side OF the
room, but no one was observing her.
She glanced over her shoulder and
took a letter-Ed Minda toms latest
from her bag and dropped it among
the burning logs. Ada MinGaton
walked to the silver bowl and took
the pearls from it. But, as she was
about to fastan them around her neck,
she looked at them closely and her
eyes sought John True5ol's face. ard
he came around the table toward her.
Il think Noble Hatton was saying
to Mrs. Branch, this affair has been
extremely bad taste. Certainly, shall
never come to this house again." He
thrust his hands into his coat pockets
as he turned away. but. as his right
hand found the depths of its pocket.
a look of dismay came upon his face.
His fingers touched pearls many
pearls-a necklace of pearls.
He glanced at Ada Mindaton and
saw her fastening the necklace around
her throat, and then he drew forth his
hand and saw that same necklace, or
Its replica. He thrust his hand hastily
into his pocket again and looked to-
ward Ada Mindaton. She had met
Truesol now and was speaking eager
ly, but in whisper.
John" she was saying. what did
you do? These are the real pearls"
Yes" he said, II know. I did not
dare keep them on mel might have
been searched. 1 slipped them in Hat
tan's pocket-the bowl wasn't on the
table. But it will be all right. Ada.
Your debts are not so pressing rs all
that; l can get these tomorrow and
sell them for you, just the same"
"But you can't" she said. "Where
are the others? If Ed has them-if he
sees they are imitation-if he learns
of my bridge debts"
You poor lady" said Truesol, but
he had time to say no more. for Cameo
Merdin touched Ada on the arm.
Were you talking of your other
pearls?' Cameo asked. II think Mr..
Haitian has them: I'm sure he would
like to get rid of them. l think III
go now; l have had such Il pleasant
evening""
Cat" said Mrs Mindaton to her.
self, but she turned to Noble Haitian.
/ AFTER that evening Ed Mindaton
- sat in his library, waiting until
his wife was in her room. for he did
not wish to discuss the evening with
lSI 50 SOOn alter llS CtOSP. AS he SAT
there. Riggs came to him.
II beg your pardon. Mr.. Mindaton."
Riggs said. but Carter and myself
wish to leave"
'Oh. now. Riggs exclaimed Mind1-
.on. Don't kick a man when he is
lown.''
I'm sorry. sir" said Riggs firmly,
but We have quite made up our
minds. These merry jeSts may be
TO our superiors. sir. but they
,ause us gentlemen in service extreme
mental anguish, il l may use the
yords."
well I had some mental anguish
If my own for a while there. Riggs"
said Mindaton. Look here, Riggs,
'ou and Carter stay. / give you my
word of honor III never try to pull
mother joke
THANK you, sir" said Riggs. "That
luite alters the case. And shall I re-
,lace the bowl in the library. sir?"
You take that bowl!' ordered Min
llton. And keep it, And If | ever
zee it again I'll shoot you. Under
tand? If 1 ever see that silver bowl
gain I'll shoot your
Yes" Mr.. Mindaton," said Riggs.
"And Riggs" said Ed Mindaton
Eyes, Mr.. Mindaton?'
eff / ever try to work one of these
unny jokes again." said Mindaton.
YOU shoot me-"