Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-09-21
BERTHA DAlTON's TRIUMPH.
THE HISTORY OF AN OPAL RING
TOontinusd.l

And the proof doesn't depend upon
'No, It doesn't depend upon it; but
I'll have the ring If lean. Give me the
address of that girl you say called here
about something that Pierre lost in an
omnibus. It may be that very ring
who knows?n
Mrs. Lemont went to her desk and
brought out Bertha Dalton's card. A
singular smile passed over her face as
= she gave 1t to her companion.
Sedley looked at it and placed 1t In
his pocket.
call as Mr.. Fancourt, !" he said.
"If had known at the time that q
ring was missing, / should not have
owned to Pierre's VISIT" observed Mrs.
Lemont.
mo, I suppose that you are not quite
such fool as that returned her COM
panion roughly. "And now are you
ready to leave here?'
"Yes, am sure have no wish to
stay-I'm sick Of the place." the lady
answered.
''And yet you've had your fling, I
think, with your internal extravaganza.
/ hope you have no debts, or it will be
the worse for you," said Sedley, in the
same harsh tone.
mo, 1 have no debts" Mrs. Lemont
replied, with compressed lips and
heightened color, as if striving to con-
troll her rising anger.
"That is well SO far" Sedley remark
ed. ''Pray who is the last victimp" he
asked, with sneer, as he took up and
laid down several little articles of btjou-
terfe on the table.
'T might ask the same question Of
you, replied Mrs. Lemont, her eyes
flashing. "But what is the use of re-
criminationsp ! have promised to do
what you require OF me-that is suf-
ficient."
.Has any one been here to-daypn
Sedley asked, with an air Of suspicion.
II told Perkins to admit no one but
you," said Mrs. Lemont. "What an
idiot that Perkins isl Only think he's
tolerably trustworthy, as things go. All
me, is there one honest person in this
heartless world, l wonder?"
Sedley's lips curled.
II suppose people are honest or not,
just as it best serves their turn" he
said.
THAT is your maxim, know, my
friend, Mrs. Lemont remarked. with a
.scornful laugh, land therefore you can
not be surprised if / do not altogether
trust you. How long is my banishment
to last?"
"How can / tell?" he demanded.
Let me get into my saddle first"
Julie Lemont fixed her bright black
eyes upon him, as though she would
look him through. He WINGED under
"You would trick me if you could,
but have care" she said. Remember,
have you in my power"
Sedley turned shade paler.
IF any revelations as to the past
would affect me, they would equally
affect you, ma BELLE" he said, in voice
not quite steady. s'But what's the use
of talking in that way, Julie?n he con-
tinued. "Only let me be secure-let
me get on the blind side of the old man
and then you will see. What has put
it into your head that ! want to deceive
Don't know youpn cried Julie,
with her eyes still fixed upon his face.
Again Sedley WINGED.
You are not talking like a reasona-
BILE woman, Julie" he observed. "You
professed to see as clearly as | did how
important it is that should not dam
age my prospects, that I should get to
stand well with the Earl, and that 1
shouldn't just at first bring forward old
connections. All this you agreed to-
You also agreed to 60 to any place I
might take for you, for three months
perhaps, passing there as the widow of
a relative. You can't deny this?o
II don't wish to deny it" Julie re-
turned. II am quite ready to fulfil my
part of the bargain. Lord Alphington
Is old and intirm, you say, and cannot
live long-you will soon be your own
master. can wait; it would not be
for my interest that you should damage
your, prospects. ! am no child to seize
a bauble before am assured Of its
worth. Only, remember, If you are
Earl, will be Countess Of Alphington,
or / shall know how to take my own
measures. Don't you think / could
carry coronet well?n She lifted her
head as she spoke, as If she already felt
the weight of it on her brow.
II think You have talent enough to
carry anything well, and beauty enough
too" Sedlei replied, in q caioling tone.
II have taken nice little nest for you
down in Surrey; only keep quiet there
for a while, and all will come right. BY
Jove," he went on, as ii anxious to
change the conversation, "AlphingtOn
Park is a splendid place. had no idea
how splendid till went down on Sum
day just to have look at it"
Julie nodded.
II know" she said, II too have been
to have look at it,"
"Youln Sedley exclaimed, in surprise.
Yes, have ways OF hearing and
knowing more than you think perhaps"
returned Julie, with what might be
called malicious smile, as-She observed
her companions look of annoyance. II
went down there one day, and, hearing
in the neighborh0od that a housekeeper
was wanted at the Hall, offered my
self for the post; SO you see had a.
glimpse Of the interior as well as ex-
terior-and 1t is Q splendid place, as you
say
Sedley muttered an oath.
"Oh, you needn't be under any
alarm!'' said Mrs. Lemont. mo one
could possibly have recognized Julie
LemOnt In the gray-haired, elderly
woman in not too fashionable dress Of
sober brown and a close bonnet. OF
course nothing came of it'll didn't in
tend there should"
Sedley brought his hand down on the
table with an oath.
This is sheer foolery," he said.
You'll be playing these internal tricks
once too often.n
And IL any harm should come to me,
you'd be sorry, wouldn't your" interro-
gated Julie, derisively.
Sedfey scowled and bit his lip. He
was beginning to be half afraid Of this
woman. lie had believed he could turn
her round his finger, as he expressed it,
by her love for him, but the unpleasant
doubt hanan fn infrfIda No To ,uhnthn,