The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-06-04
was very angry and very much

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the table. Something told her tina
these were detectives. After Dime
she pleaded indisposition, and wen
up stairs early. Perhaps this was t,
avoid the card room where sh
would be missed and asked for. Sh
had lost her all, and how mucl
more beside she alone knew. He
face was very hard and very whit
as she went down the long corrido
TO her room. There was a brigh
fire in the dressing room. and Mill
was busy there. Lady Ducevill
went in, sat down, and drew a ke,
from its hiding place within tn
bosom of her dress.
There is locked casket within
my jewel case, Mills" she said
"Will you getit out and open it will
this key ?"
Mills did so, unlocking the jewe
case first with the key she carried
herself. As she lifted the lid of tn
casket she began to tremble, and a
last her limbs gave way beneath her
she fell upon her knees, and put tn
casket on the ground, lest it shoulc
fall from her unnerved hands.
"The Duchess pearls" she ex
claimed.
Lady Duceville eyed her keenly
her face was white and hard.
you must give them up to her,
said Lady Duceville.
81, my lady ?" exclaimed Mills, il
unmixed astonishment,
"Yes," said Lady Duceville, rath
er as if talking to herself than any
one else. IL cannot get them away
now, these men are here. At least
| dare not venture it. You mus
give them up, and must-well, God
or the devil alone knows what
shall do y
Mills rose to her feet, leaving the
casket where it was.
"You stole these pearls, my dear
lady y
1T was hardly stealing" said La
dy Duceville, repeating an argument
which she had used with great effect
to herself before the last act, but
which now sounded weak even 10
her own ears. They will be mine
some day"
IF it was not stealing, my lady,
then you need. not be afraid to take
them to the Duchess yourself"
II prefer you should do it, said
Lady Duceville, dryly.
Il have never disobeyed you be-
fore, my lady" said Mills, ''but this
| cannot do. | was not sure Her
Grace did not suspect me this even
ing when she was here Nothing
would convince her that had stolen
the pearls if | took them back to
her"
Just so, said Lady Duceyille.
That is what you wish her to
thinkw exclaimed Mills, grasping
the situation.
81 must save myself" said Lady
Duceville, looking at her with cold
eyes.
Then Mills understood that she
had a desperate woman to deal with.
II shall tell Her Grace the truth, "
she said.
Yes" said Lady Duceville. "And
so shall |. Which do you think she
will believer"
Mills saw that she was helpless.
Very well, my lady" she said, Il
will go now-I will leave the house,
and if you must make me victim,
be it so. But | have been an honest
woman all my life. and cannot pre-
tend to be a thief now, even for
your ladyship."
well" said Lady Duceville, in
differently, ''if you stay the Duchess
is sure to hush the thing up and for
give you, as you have been with us
so long. But if you go like thief,
leaving your spoil behind you be-
cause YOU are afraid to take it, of
course you are ruined. People al
ways suspect servants, you know.
Yes, my lady, said Mills, sud
denly, Il do know. why did not
Lork lockwood have that notice
posted on every door in the house +?
We are treated as if we were not the
same flesh and blood as those We
serve. And | think il is so, for no
poor servant woman that | have ev-
er known could be so cruel as your
ladyship is now"
1T IL no use to be so insolent,
Mills, said Lady Duceville, "and |
think it is a pity to leave those
pearls on the floor there. Pick
them up and take them to Her
Grace's room"
mo, my lady. | cannot touch
them again
Very well, then; GO"
YES, my lady, | will CO.
Mills turned to the door, opened,
it, and then paused.
IF you restore the pearls, how
will you pay your debt?" she said,
almost in whisper.
What is that to you ?" said Lady
Duceville, compelled to make some
answer by the look in Mills face.
Her Grace will not pay them
Lord Duceville will not pay them !;
but perhaps Captain Vavasour can
find the money if you are in desper-
ate need. But then you, too, will be
ruined, even if you have paid your
debts of honor"
1t was not maid speaking to mis-
tress it was one desperate woman
speaking to another Lady Duce-
vile fiinched and fell back a step,
white as a sheet. She had no idea
that Mills knew her secrets so well.
During the instant's pause, while
they gazed at each other, the door
was gently gushed open. The Ouch
ess entered softly and locked the
door behind her. She was just about
10 knock when Mills opened the
door to go out; she had heard what
nad passed since. Her eyes fell in
stantly upon the open casket on the
floor and the pearls lying within it.
Then she looked at the two women
md read their faces.
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