The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-08-03
h.lOyE .. MONEY o5 81 "a %

displayed various treasures which
they had brought from South
America while Morgan laid the
table before the fire.
On the velvet divan, Mona smiled
and meditated while Lottie con-
versed. Steve and Barry listened,
now and then interpolating bursts
Of amused laughter.
Presently the table was whisked
away and coffee served in front OF
the dancing flames. Barry and
Steve lighted Turkish cigarets
brought from the American Virgin
islands.
They spoke again of the Empress
OF Peru-that mammoth diamond
found by Steve in the mine.
IT'S one of the largest ever found
in South America" Barry explained.
Its Steve's, of course, though he
always speaks of it as ours. He
picked 1t up just as you might pick
up golf ball.
It's worth fortune. I'm still
only a working man, but your friend
here has made his pile"
Our pile" Steve said shortly. It
was plain to be seen he was not
enjoying this turn of the converse
ton.
Yours returned Barry evenly
1t developed that the stone had been
picked up on land decided to Steve
by Barry during their first year a;
the mine in lieu of cash payment
OF salary. That made the Empress
Stevens.
ct must be wonderful to dig dia-
monds right out of the ground,
Lottie said dreamily.
CTEVE rose, carelessly thrust
~ aside a tapestry, twirled the
knob of a safe and drew out thin
string Of glittering stones, which
he held for moment against his
palm.
1t was a CHI ! Of diamonds. The
girls gasped in delight. Steve fit
tel the chain about Mona's neck
and she rose, too, cupping her hands
in front of her as though she ex-
pected the precious string to break.
Before the mirror she twisted and
turned, murmuring excitedly, This
is the nearest I've ever been to a
diamond necklace!"
"Old Steve collected those for you
Mona" Barry told her. Every
week or so he'd add another. Used
70 carry them around in little
chamois bag and every SO often he'd
count them"
Mona looked at Steve, who stood
near her, silent. The necklace,
catching the lights, shone no more
brightly than Mona's eyes.
Steve nodded. yes, they're
yours, Mona"
She flushed, started to speak and
her ev0s met Lottie's. Then Mona
laughed suddenly. Why, how silly
for me to think-even for moment
that could take them!"
She unfastened the catch and let
the necklace dribble into her hand
holding it out to Steve.
They're perfectly beautiful.
Thank you, Steve, for thinking of
me, but of course you know I can't
LOttie looked on in bewilderment
A diamond necklace and Mona was
passing it up like that!
Call it birthday present." Steve
entreated.
It's past my birthday"
How could Mona refuse Steve
anything when he smiled that way
Lotto wondered.
Past your birthday? Be smart
then and. have another!" But he
took the necklace, slowly returned
to the safe, and tossed the glittering
handful into its allotted space.
Then he closed the door and came
back to the embarrassed group.
You're fool, Mona!" Lottie OBJ
served, shortly.
You're darling, Mona" Barry
said quietly. But he, too, knew that
Steve had been inexpresSibly hurt
| by the refusal to accept his gift
Throughout three tense, hard
years of labor Steve had been
spurred on by the thought of the
gift that some day he could lay at
Monas feet. He had called her Mir
then and what picture of the cir,
he had painted!
Harry found himself WISHING
Mona could have accepted the Jew
els, while at the same time he un-
derstood it was impossible.
Show us the Empress, Steve ,
Mona said to hide her confusion