The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-09-23

paying board for three when I can live
free Of expense and have accommodA-
tons that will just suit mef"
Mrs. Carey had not time to answer,
for her brother instantly replied:
"Ah. yes! I have no doubt, Mrs. Lee
compton. that your new lodging and
associates will suit you perfectly-much
better than our simple. country ways.
My sister does not fully comprehend
these matters, or she would think SO
too"
Once more Mrs. Lecompton's eyes
sought his face. and this time met his
clear, steady gaze. beneath which she
seemed to quail; but the carriage was
just then announced. and in the hustle
of departure, only hasty adieux were
exchanged.
Left alone for q moment, Mrs. Carey
broke into hysterical weeping.
90 Ruth. Ruthr' she exclaimed. as
her daughter ran hastily in. what
shall do? They have only staid ono
month, and haven't money enough
even to pay for the new paper and cur
tains and Other. things in the rooms. 1
did SO hope to make q little to help
through the winter, and instead of that
/ am in debt, and worse off than ever"
"No, you are not, said Mr.. Herbert.
suddenly entering. and with the wide
awake look Ruth had noticed, intensi-
fed. ~ am not so blind as you think
me, although have been most culpa-
bly, negligent. or you would never have
been driven to taking these women.
lone here, my brave child" he con-
tinued, drawing Ruth to his side. II
have seen how hard and how patiently
you have toiled, and thank you for
teaching me q lesson which I needed.
Now let me tell you . secret. saw
you suspected something" he said,
with q smile at Ruth, who had looked
up eagerly. ''This woman-her real
name is Mason-is q noted thief. Her
last venture, before coming here, was the
theft of those diamonds that we saw
yesterday. The detectives tracked her
here and communicated with me; but
not having complete proof that the dia-
mOnds were in her possession we agreed
to watch. l promising to warn them if
she attempted to leave town. 1t is
supposed that the daughters are inno-
cent of this matter, but there are some
others in which the three are supposed
to be concerned, and it was to find out
some particulars in regard to those that
made me show so much pleasure in
their society,"" with q twinkle in his
eyes, betraying that he had noticed his
sisters anxiety in that direction.
''When the diamonds were produced
yesterday. I saw that they agreed with
the description given me by the detec-
tives. also saw how much disturbed
Mrs. LecomptoA was at their being
shown. therefore imagined that she
might make some move, at least to get
them out of her possession. and accord
inglY wrote q letter to the detectives,
warning them to be on the watch. That
was the letter which I asked you to
post, Ruth; but while you went for
your hat Mrs. Lecompton stepped into
the room from the piazzi, whence she
had doubtless been watching my move
ments, and in pretending to look for q
paper managed to see the address of
the letter. knew then that she would
be off at once, so I went to the village
and telegraphed my warning, and the
result will be that Mrs. Lecompton's
new quarters will be furnished for her
at the expense of the State.
"But, Maria" he continued. kindly,
''you must not grieve or feel troubled at
any loss they may have caused you. In
daod vOn need NOT - he added earnestly
as he saw the doubtful look on his sis
ter's face. 81 shall no longer be an
idle dreamer. have already accepted
the management of all the legal affairs
connected with Mr.. Harvey's vast busi-
ness, which will yield us far more in
come than we need, so when this little
one," kissing Ruth, ''has won back her
bright looks, none of us need regret
Mrs. Carey's summer boarders. "-Bal-
L0u'S MaQGzine. =