Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-09-18
IN WIG AND GOWN.

IN WIG AND GOWN.
London World
Lady Hayward had been to London to
see her lawyer about some urgent bust
ness, and leaving Lord Hayward to en-
terrain the guest during her short alb
sence, had gone alone, or rather with her
maid She had stayed the night In town,
in order to bring with her a new dress
for ball which was to be given at the
castle the following evening.
AT last the carriage dashed up to the
door, driven very fast, for the goodman
emerged from it was an exceedingly
quiet-lOOking, Weu-dressed ) Dung woman
tho maid evidently. She quickly dis
appeared and was followed by Lady
Hayward, who instantly seized her hus-
bands arm.
81 want to speak to ysu," said Lord
Hayward, "beiOre you dress; there's Just
time"
He followed her up to her dressing
room, where tea was waiting on a little
table by the fire. Lady Hayward's
maid had Just put on an easy wrapper
temptingly ready, and was busy getting
out a dinner dress for her mistress.
AZ viii send for you In a few minutes,
Taylor" said Lady Hayward; and the
perfectly-trained maid servant vanished
at once.
81 wonder whether it's that girl, after
alp exclaimed Lord Hayward; ayet it
seems impossible"
Don't talk enigmas," said Lady Hay
ward, imperlOusly; ''there isn't time
What is the matter?' She was pouring
out her tea as she spoke, and now began
to sip it.
more things have disappeared, - said
Lord Hayward, In a low voice. ''and this
time it's worse. The old Duchess has
lost big diamond ring and your sisters
| diamond necklace Is gone"
Lady Hayward put down her tea.
vernon. this is awful, she said.
| ''What are we to do? Who can it be?
It's absurd to talk about Taylor; she
was with me In town"
"Ah, but We can't tell exactly what
time the things were taken; she may
have gotten rid Of them in London. It
was when you took her to town with you
last that your diamond brooch went"
$50 it was" said Lady Hayward.
"But that makes no difference. The
brooch was taken while We were away.
Beside, the thing is absurd. Taylor is
above suspicion, L know the girl SO well.
Why, Vernon, she went with me all
through France and Italy when Joined
you in Rome; we were always together,
and used to talk to her a great deal
D 50
would be unjust to suspect Taylor"
"Wel, there Is no one else" said Lord
Hayward dejectedly, Except poor little
Rose Mannering."
Poor little Rose Mannering" was the
governess who took charge Of their one
tile girl
absurd p' said Lady Hayward. And
so it was on the face Of it. They knew
Rose Mannering's family well; she was a
lady, and little more than a child.
A silence followed, during which both
/ looked into the fire for inspiration. All
the servants IN the house were born OF
families who had been for generations on
the estate. The idea Of suspsCting any
Of them was too painful. Taylor was the
only exception, and she had been with
Lady Hayward two years.
~ begin to believe" said Lady Hay
ward, 'that it is one Of our guests"
GOOD heavens, Kate, what an idea %
"Can you suggest anything elssF'
"NO, 1 can't. There's some internal
deviltry at work, but beat my brains how
1 viii, 1 can't see where it comes from"
al tell you what We must do, Vernon, %
said Lady Hayward decisively. ave
must be very careful, not to brighten any
one, and keep our own counsel. Ride
over to the town early tomorrow morn
ing and telegraph to Scotland Yard for
a detective to come down disguised to
the hall There will be SO many people
the servants won't have time 10 notice
him. He must stop on as a visitor IN
til he finds out something"
''That viii do exclaimed Lord Hay
ward.
'.Now go" said Lady Hayward, ring
ing the bell for Taylor 81 must dress al
once"
AS he went out he met the maid In
the doorway, and gave her a more
curious look than usual. Tue result was
only to give up his ideas as PEepOster-
Gus. Shs had a very gentle, good face,
har soft brown HAIR, brushed smoothly
over her ears, gave it almost q PuritaniC
look, Lady Haywood had made some
thing Of a friend Of her, and the girl had
he girl had never presumed In the least
upon it, but had always retained her
subdued sweet manner,
Lady Haywood scrutinized her, too
during the Process OF dressing, but she
shrank from the thought In her OWL
mind. She had grown fond Of her treas
ure OF a maid, and felt ashamed Of hel
quickly-suppresE d suspicious.
Early next mOrling the telegram was
sent to Scotland Yard by Lord Hayward
who rode over alone to send it, and wait
ed for the answer. The reply seemed tc
please him and he rode back IN good
spirits to a late breakfast. he ever
faced with moderate cheerfulness, Lady
HayWard's eldest sister, who vas In {
! frightful state about her necklace. This
lady was one Of his pet averziOns; she
was not pretty or clever, ike his wife
but she was more irreproachable, NOR,
moral, more perfect, and she was an ole
maid. Probably she was the only per
in the world OF whom Lady Hayward
was afraid, Miss COllette was e sever,
censor in all things, and kept her eye
glass well fixed on her younger sister
who had an important position to I'LL be
, fore the world. Ar present Miss Collett
was very angry because she did no
know what was being done about tn
thefts, and she held that she had ouRh
to be one Of the council. But Lad