d under the daze of his piercing eyes, but
her conscience was clear. "Yes, I was here in plenty of time. I wanted
to surely not be late, so I was here too soon."

"That's what I was afraid of," returned Mr. Evringham gravely. "I
don't wish you to be unpunctual, but I object equally to your returning
unnecessarily early when you wish to stay."

"But I couldn't help it, grandpa," Jewel began earnestly, when he
interrupted her.

"So I've brought you this," he added, and took from his pocket an oblong
package, sealed at each end.

The child laid her doll in the broker's lap,--he had become hardened to
this indignity,--and her fingers broke the seals and slipped the paper
from a morocco case.

"Push the spring in the end," said Mr. Evringham.

She obeyed. The lid flew up and disclosed a small silver chatelaine
watch. The pin was a cherub's head, its wings enameled in white, as
were the back and edges of the little timepiece whose hands were busily
pointing to blue figures.

Jewel gasped. "For me?"

Her grandfather smoothed his mustache. He had presented gifts to ladies
before, but never with such effect.

"Grandpa, grandpa!" she exclaimed, touching the little watch in
wondering delight. "See what Divine Love has sent me!"

Mr. Evringham raised his eyebrows and smiled, but he was soon assured
that Love's messenger was not forgotten. He was instantly enveloped in
a rapturous hug, and heroically endured the bitter of the watchcase
pressing into his jugular for the sweet of the rose-leaf kisses that
were assaulting his cheek like the quick reports of a tiny Gatling gun.

"See if you can wind it," he said at last.

Jewel lifted her treasure tenderly from its velvet bed, and he showed
her how to twist its stem, and then pinned it securely on the breast of
her light sailor suit, where she looked down upon it in rapt admiration.

"Now then, Jewel, you have no excuse!" he said severely.

She raised her happy eyes, while her hand pressed the satin surface of
her watch. "Grandpa, grandpa!" she said, sighing ecstatically, "you're
such a joker!"

CHAPTER XXIV

THE RAVINE GARDEN

Mrs. Evringham tried heroically to look impassive when her daughter
returned from the ride. There was barely time then to dress for dinner,
and no opportunity for confidences before the meal, nor afterward until
bedtime; but the look of peace and sweetness in Eloise's face could have
but one significance to the mother, who believed that