"
CHAPTER III
DARK TIDINGS
The news I bring is heavy in my tongue.--Shakespeare.
The second day thereafter Shirley Claiborne went into a jeweler's on the
Grand Quai to purchase a trinket that had caught her eye, while she
waited for Dick, who had gone off in their carriage to the post-office to
send some telegrams. It was a small shop, and the time early afternoon,
when few people were about. A man who had preceded her was looking at
watches, and seemed deeply absorbed in this occupation. She heard his
inquiries as to quality and price, and knew that it was Armitage's voice
before she recognized his tall figure. She made her purchase quickly, and
was about to leave the shop, when he turned toward her and she bowed.
"Good afternoon, Miss Claiborne. These are very tempting bazaars, aren't
they? If the abominable tariff laws of America did not give us pause--"
He bent above her, hat in hand, smiling. He had concluded the purchase of
a watch, which the shopkeeper was now wrapping in a box.
"I have just purchased a little remembrance for my ranch foreman out in
Montana, and before I can place it in his hands it must be examined and
appraised and all the pleasure of the gift destroyed by the custom
officers in New York.
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