The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-08-20

Not at all like you. You should
see him" The next instant Mr..
Townsend paused with concern.
Mona had seen young Ashcroft. She
had indeed been robbed by himl
AT any rate, please believe me, -
he foundered. Il did not know
when 1 asked - or had Garrett
son ask-you to marry me that I
was thwarting Barry. Please be-
lieve me-"
You knew you didn't want him
to marry the girl Of whom he'd
spoken" Mona said. You knew
well, that you threatened to change
your will to effect his inheritance. l
don't know just how, but I've heard
about it.
You didn't want him." she went
on bravely, TO marry the girl he
wanted to marry. You do not wish
him to make a success of the mine
either. You don't want Barry 70
do anything except follow your
plans and schemes and ideas. 1t isn't
his fault"
The waiter. lowering over them.
filed a glass with tinkling ice and
poured in water.
You mean" MI. Townsend began
coolly, his eyes glinting, that 1 am
treating Barry badly because his ia
ther stole my fancee. Well, since
he did, perhaps that's my view"
LIE set down the glass after a
IL pause. L did not invite o
to lunch. however. to discuss Barry.
The subject is painful to me We
have an errand later; I've a gift for
you.
l selected it some time ago. May
be you've heard of it. A huge dia-
mond called The Empress of Peru.
It's yours. Wilmington, my jeweler,
has set it for you in a necklace. Too
large really but worth that rather
varying amount, a kings ransom!'
you've bought The Empress for
me?"
You've heard of it, them" He
glanced at her sidewise.
"Of course I've heard of it. Who
hasn't? It's been in the news
papers. But you've bought it for
me?"
They rode in a taxicab to With
ington's. At once they were uSh-
cred into a private room and Mona,
not unaware or displeased by at
tention bestowed upon her hus-
band, saw that he was recognized
as a man of affairs and Importance.
She felt that if they had come
to purchase shirt studs their re-
ception would have been no less
gracious.
The busy little manager welcomed
them and, smilingly, rose without
words to swing open the huge safe
behind him and bring forth a red
velvet box.
Two men stood on guard in the
doorway. The Empress was not
a bauble to be tossed about care
lessly.
The little man opened the case
and displayed the necklace. Mona,
seeing him, wondered idly if any,
thing in this world save Barry
who was denied her-could mean
as much to her as this jewel meant
to Mr.. Wilmington.
He laid the necklace gently in her
hands. 1t seemed at once marvellous
and pathetic. Her husband had
given her the largest diamond
available.
He was dealing in superlatives
just as a small boy selects the
rosiest apple for his sweetheart, the
most delicate rose for his mother.
IT'S beautiful" she agreed, hand
ing the diamond back to the Jew
eler, who was lowering about much
as a devoted nurse hovers when her
charge Is for the moment IN in
capable hands.
He begged to be allowed to fasten
the chain about madame's throat
Beautiful! Charming!" he echoed
only madame could wear such a
stone!"
TT was arranged that the diamond
L should remain in the safe a
Withington's until the opera sea.
son, when Mona should wear it or
her first appearance in the Town
send box.
Our first engagement of impor.
lance, really" her husband said, his
eyes travelling along the throngec
sidewalk as their cab threaded it,
way up Fifth avenue. I do hope
my dear, that you will enjoy it.
Forgive me if you a for any.
thing I unwittingly may have done
Think it over. Is there anything
else, anything at all, that you would
like to have me do?"
Mona's cameo profile was clear GU
against the shadows of the cab
Are you sure you would do any.
thing l aSked?" she said softly