accomplished fact; Lettice's wishes, her quality of
steadfastness, exerted their influence upon him.

They operated now to increase his resentment;
they formed an almost detached disapproval situated
within his own breast, a criticism of his thoughts, his
emotions, against which he vainly raged, setting
himself pointedly in. its defiance.

He lounged past the Courthouse, past Peterman's
hotel, to the post-office. It was a small frame structure,
with the wing of the postmaster's residence extending
from the back. At the right of the entrance
was a small show window holding two watches with
shut, chased silver lids, and a small pasteboard box
lined with faded olive-colored plush containing two
plated nut crackers and six picks. The postmaster
was the local jeweller. Within, beyond the window
which gave access to the governmental activities a
glass case rested on the counter. It was filled with
an assortment of trinkets -- rings with large,
highly-colored stones, wedding bands, gold pins and
bangles engraved with women's flowery names; and,
laid by itself, a necklace of looped seed pearls.

The latter captured Gordon's attention, it was so
pale, and yet, at the same time, so suggestive of elusive
colors; it was so slender and graceful, so finished,
that it irresistibly recalled the person of Meta Beggs.

"Let's see that string of pearls," he requested.

The postmaster laid it on top of the glass case.

[[238]]

p237 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p238w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p239

v?