Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-02-25
il the bracelet should be recognized BY
.cr 80 Ne, p~;.cr<.sa frsov,1a

| This disaoreeable possibility aroused
| Mr.. Aaurice's apprehensions TO such
pitch that he was strongly inclined to
call upon the lady Immediately and pur-
chase the bracelet back again at any
price. Upon reflection. however. be
abandoned the idea, partly from fear OF
exciting Mrs. Briscoe's suspicious, aud
partly because it was highly probable
that be would have an opportunity OF
acquiring the bracelet upon his own
| terms before many weeks had elapsed.
This last consideration quite reconciled
| him 70 the FISK be ran in the meantime,
and, although his expectations were not
realized as soon as he anticipated, he
did not suffer his anxiety TO prey upor
| his mind.
At length he received another visit
from Mrs. Briscoe. who was exceedingly
gracious and afable- She made partic-
ular inquiries about his health, and, af-
ter chatting pleasantly for few min
utes on general topics, said, conhden-
| tally:
'Air. Maurice, I have had such a
dreadful upset ! don't know when l
have been so much distressed In my
| nind"'
Indeed. What is the matter, Mrs.
Briscoe?" inquired Mr.. Maurice, with
solicitude.
"Ny MAZDA girl whom / implicitly
trusted, and whom / have treated with
every kindness and indulgence-has
bsen robbing me shamsfully,' said Mrs.
Briscoe.
I'm very sorry to hear that" return
ed Mr.. Maurice, sywpathetically. is
your loss serious!"
-. xha% n..Nh - ii he
lady, Struggling her shoulders. what
chiefly grIeves me IL her base lngratI-
tude aud wickedness."
VERY sad-very sad, indeedT &C
guessed Mr.. Maurice, shaking his head.
''Shall you prosecute"
II am afraid have no other alterna
tive" said Mrs Briscoe, with an air OF
reluctance. You soc, ths wrstched girl
Ii actually in custody. She attempted
to pawn something and was given In
charge by the pawnbroker."
"What did she attempt to pawn" in
quired Mr.. N urice, with sudden mis-
giving, as the lady glanced up at him
significantly.
That bracele. If mine which pur-
chased from you" said Mrs. Briscos, In
IN innocent tone. 1t 10 said-but, OF
course, this must bo a mistake-that 1t
formed part Of the proceeds of some
burglary or other, and that Is Is de-
scrlbed in the police list"
Mr.. Maurice gave an involuntary
start, and turned very white. Up TO
that moment hs had1not suspected the
drift of Mrs. Briscoe's artless remarks,
but he now realized that they had an
unpleasantly personal bearing. IL it
vas true that ths bracelet had been re-
cognized by the police he vas placed in
a most awkward predicament. In
quiries would be made about him which
might lead to damaging disclosures
even form the subject Of a criminal
charge. Mr.. Maurice was 80 utterly
4isoonce rted that he did not attempt to
conceal his agitation.
"GO0d Lordr' he exclaimed, wiping
away the beads Of perspiration that had
gathered on his brow. "You are joking,
Mrs. Briscoe. / don't remember ever
selling you bracelet" he added, in des-
peration.
Dear me! What a short memory
you have, Mr.. Maurice" said Mrs. Bris-
coo, with wicked little laugh. "Here
Is your own receipt, In which the brace
let is especially mentioned. There is no
doubt about its having come from you.
and thought would warn you of what
has happened, because l shall have to
mention your name"
why should you, Mrs. Briscoe?"
faltered Mr.. Maurice. "Of course the
police are mistaken about the bracelet,
but still it III most unpleasant for ro-
spectacle tradesman TO have his name
mentioned in connection with an accu-
sation of that kind. Is it absolutely
necessary that you should mention my
name, Mrs. Briscoe2" he added eagerly.
"How can do otherwise2' said Mrs.
Briscoe. II am sure to be asked how l
came by the bracelet, and certainly
shall be bound to tell the truth about 1t;
besides, why should not? You may
I've put to little Inconvenience, but
that is unavoidable. No doubt the po-
lice will institute searching inquiries
about you, and investigate your ante
cedents, and 30 forth. But, after all,
Mr.. Maurice, you have nothing to fear"
"Of course not; never said had"
70, lied Mr.. Maurice, trying to look IN
concerned. but In reality trembling at
the iady's words. ''Stili, wish you had
had consulted me before you idsnti-
fed the bracelet"
That is precisely what am doing"
returned Mrs. Briscos, lifting her pretty
eyebrows. How dull you are, Mr..
Maurice. ought. perhaps. 10 have
mentioned that was out when the in
spector Of police called to see me this
morning, and l only heard what he
came about from the servants. It ap-
pears the wrstched girl declares she
found the bracelet, aud unless come
forward and claim il as my property,
she will probably be acquitted, the DO
lice will imponnd the bracelet, aud the
whole affair will be shut up."
IF you had only mentioned that be-
FORE" said Mr.. Maurice, feeling incx-
pressibly relieved, and beginning to
breathe more freely.
well. never imagined you would be
so much disturbed by what has taken
place." replied Mrs. Briscoe, smiling.
"lt was the merest chance that thought
Of coming. OF course, II, tor some rea-
son or other, you would rather did not
claim the bracelet"
"For the reasons / have stated, l
would rather you did not, ma'am," in
terposed Mr.. Maurice. with involuntary
earncssness. II am sure you do no,
wish to be hard upon the girl. and would
DO willing TO give her an opportunity to
mend her ways"
II have no consideration whatever for
the girl" said Mrs. Br,scoc. frankly.
"Shs deserveAto BE- punished. and II she
Rets Oh is will be entirely ON your ac-
count. OF course, must be compen-
stated for the loss Of the bracelet"
Certainly, ma'am. certainly" re-
piled Mr.. Maurics, with alacrity.
THAT il the whole question. What
do you consider 10 the value of-shall
We say Of the bracelet, Mr.. Mauvicc?''
said Mrs Briscos, with her most be-
witching smile.
Il viii either give you . hundred
pounds in cash or another bracelet of
the Same description" returned Mr..
Maurice. ''Of course, don't wish you
to DO loser By your consideration for
for ma"
"A hundred pounds." repeated little
Mrs. Briscoc, turning up her noss dis.
painfully. '.H that 10 the value you set
upon your reputation and your good
name am sorry have wasted time in
coming here to assist you TO preserve
it,"
II don't understand what You mean.
ma'am." said Mr.. Maurice. rather faint
ly. "if you don't think Gi0O is enough,
perhaps yOu will prefer 10 select some-
thing from my stock"
Upon my word, Mr.. Maurice. your