Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-29
A SCAPEGOAT.

MES OOiEo DIhScEuf-iS was utuuiAS oFCi .
glass counter strewn with dainty pocket-books
and card-cases Of every imaginable shape that
fine leather and crushed velvet could be made
TO assume. She was noticeably pretty girl
even among the host of fauitlessly- toiletted
beauties that the summer brings to Baden
Baden, and stragglers through the colonnade
where she stood gave vent to an occasional
Toila la belle An9laiser' or ''What q lovely
face.'-quite in whisper. of course.
The object of her quest was case to contain
photograph Suitable for carrying in a gentle
mans pocket the photograph being poor re-
Fiction of her own delicately tinted, sweet
face and the pocket for which it was destined
that of Mr.. Felix Wyatt. her betrothed lover
After much elaboration she selected pretty
little toy in white leather with spray offOrget
me-not painted on it and beetle, anatomically
wrong, caperng In one corner. 1t was lined
with the palest blue satin. and was altogether
an unsuitable thing to place in a mans pocket
with keys, cigars and small change.
The afternoon concert on the gravel sweep
before the COnversatiOnshaus was being her
aided by the usual bevy of nursemads with as
tonishing caps, in charge Of children in the
widest of sashes and deepest of embroideries,
the little ones with rubber balls carried in
worsted nets, which would occasionally bound
against an irascbe old geItlemsn's back. and
with little shovels and buckets to be filled and
emptied with gravel-an unfailing amusement
among these mites of humanity, too Overdressed
TO attempt more active sport. The chairs ranged
about beds and groups Of tropical flowers grad
ually filed with as motley a collection of hu-
mainly as one could desire TO see-from a pig
tailed Chinese grandee to rugged Scotch tour
ist in knickerbockers and baggy, comfortable
looking coat.
Before the program was fairly under way Miss
BraconGale and her mother had Joined the audi
tors; and at the close of the overture to Ekker-
hard Mr.. Wyatt sauntered towards the bank of
azaleas, near which they were sitting.
Felix Wyatt was happy-looking. well-grown
young fellow of twenty-five or Whereabouts, ar
Tayed in tweed suit, English shoes, q Glen
garry bonnet, and with scarab in his cravat.
where were you hidden that l missed you
on the promenade" he ask ed lounging back on
the springy iron seat beside the two ladies.
Il was choosing this for you, Felix" said
Doris, putting the fair leather case into his
hand You will carry 1t everywhere with you
while you are away, will you not? Promise"
Yes, promise; and am very much obliged
to you. 1t is lOvely-a great deal too nice for
me" answered Felix, looking intently at the
photograph enshrined in blue satin. 1t was the
likeness OF a girl with silky dark hair, beauti-
fully-arched prows, and dark eyes. large and ~
tense. set in q face of exquisite mould
How long will you be away, FelX?" Mrs.
Bracondale asked, glancing up from her pro-
gram.
n NStk ut Tic LIOsL.
1t is provoking that you have to 60 just now"
remarked Doris, "when the races and grand IL
Nominations are about to begin
1t is indeed. / always avOwed myself ready
to see Mrs DelamOre and her children safely
installed at Brussels, but l never slpposed
the summons would come at such an inoppor-
tune time. To say that l wish them all at the
bottom of the sea would be unchrstan, sup
pose. but"
Don't give expression to such wicked ideas
said Doris, pouring ont the coffee which waiter
had noiselessy placed at her elbow; land let us
change the subject, for, if We speak any more of
your departure. shall make spectacle of my
self by shedding tears in the Coffee
The Winthrops are bearing down upon US"
said Mr. Wyatt shortly afterwards, in an under
little matters to attend to-a visit to Mrs. Ripon
in the SOphielstrasse among others; / shall see
you again this evening"
On the first opportunity that offered itself Mr.
wyatt took Doris photograph from the beetle
bediZened case that she had bestowed upon him.
and put it between the leaves of bis pocket
book, intending at his first idle moment to trans
fer it from there to serviceable black leather en-
yelope in his possession. The little case he
wrapped carefully In soft white paper and slowed
away with package of letters, some withered
flowers. and curl of silky dark hair all jeal-
ously guar ed by a lock and key.
she is dear little Soul, but not practical"
he soiiloqniZed while so engaged.
Arrived at Mrs. RipOn's rooms In the Soph-
ienstrasse. found that lady in great excitement
and Distress
''Oh. Felix" she began, 81 have been robbed
OF my diamond earrings Lese's superb gift, by
black-eyed witch of woman, But sit down
mind the catl-and | wilP tell you the partlcu-
lars" Mrs. Ripon sank back among the cush-
ions on the sofa, took long breath, aud began
again. II had advertised for gOyerness for
Lucy and Elaine, as you perhaps know; and this
morning. when was dressing, l was quite pre-
pared for the announcement that 1, lady had in
quired for me on business, l was dressing, as
said before, and my toilet-teble was scattered
over with Jewels and trinkets, nv diamonds
among the rest; but l never dreamed of any dan
ger, and had the stranger shown up directly to
my room. In the handsome. high-bred- looking,
weli-dressed woman who presented herself be-
fore me could scarcely imagine an applicant
for the post OF gOyerness to my children, but
such was the Grand
"A handsome gOveTness is often dangerous
acquisition in household; but / need not
offer such suggestion to you," said Felix med
itatively.
Il did not quite like her looks. although she
had recommendations from friends Of mine;
so told her l would let her know my decision
by letter on the following day. At that instant
L heard child scream in the street below;
and, thinking 1t sounded like Lucy's voice, [
dew to the window and looked out; but find
ing no accident had happened came back to
gracefully, as she had entered, and vas more
than ever struck with ner beauty Madame
de kOnarskf was the name on the card nv
maid had brought me; and mentally set her
down as Pole Of good family but uncertain
fortune"
Altogether suspicious character. should
say; that description Of woman usually has
higher aspiration than to teach A. B, c. and
How doth the little busy bee to pair Of
cherubs in holland pipafores"
You are right; and l was the weakest of
dupes. Half an hour after my woud-be COVER
ness had gone, / missed my diamonds: the
clever creature had taken them out Of the case
and closed 1t again while was standing In the
window"
THAT Is serious accusation to make. Mrs.
Rpon. Are you quite sure there is no mis-
take!"
How can there be- Felix? 1 had noticed the
earrings particularly. even moved them to
catch ray Of sunlight FIVE minutes before this
woman came, and no one else entered the room
after her uatil raised the alarm wish with
all my heart there was some chance of mis-
take
1T Is the most daring robbery ever heard
OF. But we must lose no time In handing the
matter over to the police"
~ sent word directly to the watchman in the
street below, 70 tell him what had happened:
but In that unlucky half hour Madame de Ko.
narski had time to escape, as she came and went
in cab'
Mr.. WAITS next errand was to the nearest
police bureau. where he might seek advice as
10 the most hopeful way Of recovering Mrs. Ri
pon's property.
Your description tallIes with that of a wo-