Morris tribune., 1883-02-24

uar inquiries about his health, and, az
ter chatting pleasantly for few minutes
on general topics, said. confdentially;
"Mr. Maurice, have had such
dreadful upset don't know when
have been SO much distressed in my
mind!'
"Indeedl What is the matter, Mrs.
Byiseoeq" inquired Mr., Maurice, with
solicitude.
"My MAZDA girl whom l implicitly
trusted. and whom have treated with
every kindness and indulgence-has
been robbing me shamefully," said Mrs.
Briseoe.
pm very sorry to hear that" return
ed Mr.. Maurice, sympathetically. rs
your loss seriousp"
st is not that 80 much" said the
lady. Struggling her shoulders, "What
chiefly grieves me is her base ingratitude
and wickedness."
every sad--very sad indeed" as
qulesced Mr.. Maurice. shaking his head.
"Shall you prosecuted"
81 am afraid have no alternative"
said Mrs. Briscoe, with an air of reluc-
lance. "You see the wretched girl is
actually in custody. She attempted to
pawn something and was given in charge
by the pawnbroker."
''What did she attempt to pawn?' in
quixed Mr.. Maurice, with sudden mis-
giving. as the lady glanced up at him
significantly. y
THAT bracelet of mine which pur-
chased of you," said Mrs Briscoe, in an
innocent tone. 1T is said-but of course
this must be mistake--that it formed
part OF the proceeds Of some burglary or
other, and that it Is described in the PO-
lice List"
Mr.. Maurice gave an involuntary start
and turned very white. Up to that mo-
mant he had not suspected the drift of
of Mrs. Briscoe's artiess remarks, but he
now realized that they had an unpleas-
antly personal bearing, If 1t was true
that THE bracelet had Been recognized
by the police, he was placed In most
awkward perdicament, Inquiries wonid
be made about him which might lead to
damaging disclosures--even form the
subject Of n criminal charge. Mr.. Maui
rice was SO utterly Disconnected that he
did not attempt to conceal his agitation
Good Lordr he exclaimed, wipme
away the beads of persplratiou, that had
gathered on his brow. "You are joking,
Mrs. Brsicoe. RI don't remember ever
selling You bracelet" he added in des-
peration.
"Dear me! What short memory you
you have, Mr.. Maurice" said Mrs. Brls-
coe, 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 l would warn you Of what
has happened, because shall have to
mention your name.
"Why should You Mrs. Briscoep fall
tered Mr.. Maurice. "Of course the po-
lice is mistaken about the bracelet, but
till it is most unpleasant for q respect
able tradesman to have his name men
toned IN connection with an accusation
Of that kind. Is it absolutely necessary
that you should mention my name, Mrs.
Briscoe?" he added eagerly.
How can do o.herwise?" said Mrs.
Briscoe. Il am sure to be asked how |
came by the bracelet, and | certainly
shall be bound to tell the truth about it;
besides, why should | not2 You may
be put to little inconvenience but that
is unavoidable. No doubt the police
will institute searching inquiries about
you, and your antecedents, and SO forth.
But after all, Mr.. Maurice, you have
nothing to fear
"Of course not. | never said l had"
replied Mr.. Maurice, trying to look I'M
concerned, but in reality trembling at
the lady's words. "Still, / wish you had
had-consulted me before you identified
the bracelet"
That is precisely what am doing"
returned Mrs. BriscOe. lifting her pref
tv eyebrows. "How dull you are, Mr..
Maurice, ought perhaps, to have men
toned that | was out when the inspec-
tor of the police called to see me this
porning and only heard what he came
about from the servants. 1t appears the |
wretched girl declares she found the |
bracelet, and unless | come forward and
claim it az my property, she will prob |
ably be acquitted and the police will i'm
pound the bracelet, and the whole affair |
will be shut up"
"If you had only mentioned that be-
FORE" said Mr. Maurice, feeling mex |
pressibly relieved, and beginning to |
breathe more freely.
"Wen, Inever imagined you would be |
SO much disturbed by what has taken |
place." returned Mrs B. isooe. smiling. |
"lt was the merest chance that thought |
OF coming. Of course, if, for some rea- |
son or other, you would ratherI did |
not claim the bracelet"
For the reasons have stated, l |
woa!d rather you did not, ma'am," in |
terposed Mr.. Maurice, with involuntary |
earnestness. 81 am sure you do not |
wish to be hard upon the girl, and |
would be willing to give her an oppor- |
tunity to mend her ways"
81 have no consideration whatever |
for the girl" said Mrs. Briscoe, frankly |
she deserves TO be punished, and if |
she gets off it will be entirely on your
account. Of course, must be COM
pensated for the loss of the bracelet"
Certainly, ma'am, certainly" replied |
Mr. Maurice, with aIacrity.
THAT is the whole question. What |
do you consider is the value of-shali we |
say of the bracelet, Mr.. Maurice?" said |
Mrs. Brisooe, with her most bewitching /
smile.
II will either give you a hundred |
pounds cash or another bracelet of the
same description" returned Mr.. Maui |
rice. "Of course do not wish you to be |
q loser by your consideration for me-"
"a hundred pounds!' repeated little
Mrs. Briscoe, turning up Der nose dis
dainfully.
"If that is 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
ingly." If you don't think hundred
pounds is enough, perhaps you will pre-
fer to select something from my stock"
upon my word, Mr.. Maurice, your
offer is simply contemplated" exclaimed
Mrs. Briscoe, rising from her seat indig-
nantly. 'As you evidently don't object
to acquiring notoriety as a receiver of
stolen property, I shall give evidence
against the girl without the smallest
Good morning."
Stay, ma'am, stayp exclaimed Mr..
Maurice, fairly startled out of his senses.
II am open to any reasonable sug-
gestion you may have to make: Shall
we say another fiftyP'
Another fifty, indeed Look here,
Mr.. Maurice! ! am not going to waste
any more time talking oyou, said Mrs.
Briscoe, confronting him and looking
him straight in the face. Unless / re-
ceive from you $4,000 In bank notes
within an hour will set the police on
your track, and you will be very rightly
served. The inspector left word that he
would call at my house again at 2 o'clock