The Argosy, September 1915 — page 86: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

300 THE ‘“T don’t propose to be annoyed by you any further.” “ It’s something important, ma’am.” As she started to walk toward the hotel he whispered a single word: “ Bracelet!” Rosalind halted in her tracks. “TI thought that would stop you,” he nodded. ‘What do you know about a brace- let?’ she demanded. “Tve seen one.” Where? ” He looked mysterious and answered her with a question: “Do you want me to show it to your” ‘You mean—wmy bracelet?” ‘A: sort of hand-me-down brace- let,” he grinned. “A gold bracelet, carved—’’ “One that they burglared a tomb for, perhaps, ma’am.”’ Rosalind was afire with excitement. “Where did you see this thing? What do you mean? Have you— stolen it?” ‘No, indeed. I haven't laid a finger on it, ma’am. But I wouldn’t be sur- prised if I'd laid eyes on it—the one that Reggie was sore about.” Rosalind thought swiftly. Neither Gertrude nor Polly was wearing it that evening, she remembered. Where was it? She had a numbing sense of misgiving. “Show it to me,” she commanded. “Of course it’s possible I’ve made a mistake, ma’am, but—”’ “ Where is it?” ‘Perhaps it’s in the hotel.” “Who is wearing it?” “* Nobody.” “Ts it in your pocket? ”’ suspiciously, The boatman laughed. “TI told you I hadn’t touched it,’ he said. Rosalind was losing control of her little trifle of patience. “Take me to it!” she said peremp- torily. He led the way toward the veranda. She followed as far as the steps, then ] ARGOSY. halted. Sam divined the cause of her hesitation. He laughed once more good-naturedly. “TI see you don’t want to take an- other chance with me in there,” he re- marked, pointing. ‘‘ In a way I don’t blame you. ‘That’s a mighty catchy little thing the band’s playing. I’ve almost a mind to take a dance in pay- ment. But we’ll postpone that, ma’am. ‘“ Now, do you see that second door- way? No; the second to the right. It’s the office entrance. Go through it and walk straight back until you reach the rear of the lobby. You'll see a glass case there. Take a look at some of the things in it.” She started swiftly up the steps. ‘ PIL be out here among the trees,” he called after her. “ I’ve got an idea you'll want to see the again.” Rosalind hurried along the porch and entered the second doorway to the right. Just beyond the threshold she paused and her glance swept the lobby. Yes, there was a glass case at the far- ther end. She stepped forward with- out further hesitation. There, its aristocratic beauty un- dimmed by the cheap, gaudy gew- gaws that hedged it about, lay her bracelet! She was too bewildered even to gasp, but stood rigid as a statue, staring. Her bracelet—lying in the midst of a tawdry collection of jew- elry, silverware, and brass ornaments! What did it mean? How did it get there? As she stood in awful fascination, a bell-boy approached. “The sale is to-morrow afternoon, ma'am,” he said. ‘The sale! ” Rosalind spoke so explosively that the boy was startled. “Yes, ma’am; at three o'clock, There’s the sign.” He pointed to a placard that rested on the top of the case. She read: These beautiful articles in this case, donated through a spirit of humanity by residents and summer visitors at COPMICGLOOOKS (E@)