The Press., 1883-06-07

costly lace, placing it inside the basket. May soon decided not to purchase, the cheaper fabric looking so evidently the i'm itation as to prove undesirable. It was nearly dark before May reached home, and though very impatatient to examine her purchases she concluded to await Helen's arrival, other duties claiming her attention. It was just at the moment of closing the establishment, from which Helen and little Paul had already departed in company and Mr.r Lorrimer was on his way out, when Belle approached him, saying l. 'sDo you desire an opportunity of adding to your laurels as detective, MT. Lorri. mer p
 Certainly, Miss Simpson, but what dc you mean ?"
 ''that a valuable piece of goods is missing from Miss Channing's stock, which she cannot account for, and if searched for i'm. mediately will be found among her sisters purchases of today"
 MT. Lorrimers face lighted with satis- faction, and with the remark, "You are a trump, Belle, he turned toward the private office in which MT. Mainland Nobles was seated, he having taken upon himself the duties of superintendent in the absence of Lionel, his adopted son and partner. En- terlng without ceremony, he said
 "Mr. Nobles, for good reasons, I should like to examine the stock in charge of Miss Helen Channing"
 'I will accompany you," said MT. Mo- bles, and taking memorandum in his hand the two men proceeded to the count CT usually presided over by Helen.
 A quick though comprensive examina- tion showed that from whatever source the suspicion emanated it was not without foundation. And after short oolloquy MT. Lorrimer was dispatched to No. 2 Ashley-st. with full warrant for finding the missing goods and taking the thief into custody.
 The two girls had hardly finished their tea and were still seated at the table, when loud rap startled them, and before they could rise the door was opened uncere- moniously, and MT. Lorrimer entered. Advancing into the room, he said: 1 'I regret the necessity which has caused this visit, Miss Charming, but some valua- ble goods are missing which I am commis- stoned to restore Can you give me any information concerning them?"
 ''To what do you refer ?" asked Helen, in some surprise, though without any idea of what the man really meant.
 ''To the Venice point, in your stock, Miss Channing."
 'It was there as late as four o'clock this afternoon" said Helen. "May, you re. member it; the piece you admired sc greatly"
 "Yes," said May. s'It was so beautiful really coveted it, but Helen decided il was too costly for me-"
 "Will you allow me to look at your pur chases, Miss Channing?" said Mr. Lorri mer, disagreeable smile fitting over his face. '"This is your basket, is it not ? taking it from chair over which Mays shawl was carelessly thrown, and on which the unopened basket was standing.
 May flushed, while Helen exclaimed ''Mr. Lorrimer, what am to understand I am afraid to believe what your words i'm ply"
 MT. Lorrimer was busily unrolling the parcels as he took them from the basket Presently, holding up the lace, he said o, Suspicion is rendered certainty, Miss Charming; here is the missing goods the theft rests between you."
 Helen's face wore the hue of death, while May cried out in surprise:
 'Why, Helen did you put the lace in my basket?'
 For an instant Helen's brain whirled, and her heart ceased it's motion, as doubt Mays innocence crossed her mind. And as thought of that frail, beautiful girl her idolized sister, and Howard Sheldon's betrothed wife, an inmate of a prison and among the obscenity of a police court passed before her mental vision, her reso lution was taken, and she exclaimed hur. riedly,-
 "Hush, May, not a word. I alone am responsible"
 MT. Lorrimer's face wore 8 satisfied ex pression as he said :
 "You acknowledge the theft then, Miss Charming ?"
 "No, no, Helen," screamed May, bu was checked by Helen's reply of:
 "I said I alone am responsible. But MT. Lorrimer, you will not need to pro ceed to extremities, hope. As you have found the lace unharmed, will you not bt merciful ?''
 MT. Lorrimer smiled disagreeably.
 "On one condition, Miss Channing."
 "And that ?" asked Helen, with shud der.
 ''Your consent to become my wife open her lips to reply, while May stared il Charged with theft, which you cannot dis prove, you will be dealt with according tt law, and your only hope of escape is in my clemency. Give your consent, and I prom ise you immunity from all unpleasant con sequences"
 For moment Helen wavered, but tho utter disgust with which the man inspired her overcame all prudential consideration and she exclaimed
 1T would not be your wife to save my self from the gallows. Your clemenc, would be harder to endure than any pun ) ishment another might infict."
 His face whitened with rage, as he al most shouted
 ''Then I swear you shall rot in prison ) and it shall be my pleasure to look througl your grated window and gloat over you ) misery. Come" said he, roughly, takin her arm. ssI am anxious to see how m, dainty lady fourishes on prison fare" Helen shrank visibly, while May clune to her sister, begging her not to leave he1 her old childishness returning as troubl thickened around them, showing how ittl of real misfortunes she was able to bear and Helen's resolve was strengthened tha at whatever cost to herself suspicion mus be averted from May. Soothing the weeI ing girl as well as she was able, she said 1: "I hope not to be absent long, May, bu it seems necessary for me to go now When Mrs. Gray returns she will stay wit : you, and Howard will come soon." thrill of pain passing through her heart g