Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-12-09
IN WIG AND GOWN.

entertain the guests durlnS ner snoFt
absence, had gone alone, or rather with
her maid. She had stayed the night in
town in order to bring with her 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 coach
man knew it was very late. The first
person who emerged from the carriage
was an exceedingly quiet-looking, we'll
dressed young woman-the maid evil
IDENTIFY. She quickly disappeared and
was followed by Lady Hayward, whose
arm was instantly seized by her hus-
band.
Il want to speak to you before you
dress; there's just time"
He followed her up to her room,
where tea was waiting on little table
by the fire. Lady Hayward's maid had
Just put on an easy wrapper temptingly
ready, and was busy getting out her
dinner dress for her mistress.
Il will send for you in few minutes,
Taylor said Lady Hayward; and the
perfectly-trained servant vanished at
once.
Il wonder if it's that girl after all!'
exclaimed Lord Hayward; 'yet it
seems impossible
Don't talk enigmas,' said Lady
Hayward, imperiously there isn't
time. What is the NATTER" She was
pouring out her tea as she spoke and
now began to sip it.
More things have disappeared, 4"
said Lord Hayward in a low voice,
land this time it's worse The old
duchess has lost her diamond ring. and
Your sisters diamond necklace is
gone"
Lady Hayward put down hertea.
What are we to do? Who can it be ?
It's absurd to talk about Taylor; she
was with me in town"
An, but we cant tell exactly what
time the things were taken; she may
have gotten rid of them in London 1t
was when YOU took her to town with
you last that your diamond brooch
WENT
80 it was said Lady Hayward.
But that makes no difference. The
brooch was taken while we were away.
Besides. the thing is absurd Taylor is
above suspicion, know the girl 50
we'll. 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. She is very superior girl
No; it would be most unjust to suspect
Taylor"
well, there is no one else" said
Lord Hayward, dejectedly, except
poor little Rose Mannering."
"Poor little Rose Mannerng'' was
the governess who took charge of their
one little girl.
''Absurd!' said Lady Hayward. And
SO it was on the face of it. They knew
Rose Mannering's family well; she was
lady, and little more than a child.
A silence followed, during which they
both looked into the fire for inspira-
ton. All the servants in the house
were born of families who had been for
generations on the estate The idea of
suspectng any of them was painful.
Taylor was the only exception, and she
had been with Lady Hayward for two
years.
Il begin to believe, " said Lady Hay
ward, that it is one of our guests.
Good heavens, Kate. what mn
idear'
Can you suggest any thing else?'
No, cant There some Internal
deviltry at work. but beat my brain.
how | will, cannot see where it comes
from"
Il tell you what We must do, Yer
non" said Lady Hayward decisivelv.
1--WE must be very careful not to
frighten any one, and keep our own
counsel. Ride over to the town to.
morrow morning and telegraph to
Scotland Yard for detective TO come
down disguised to the ball. There will
be SO many people the servants won t
have Sine to notice him. He must stop
on as a visitor until he finds ont some,
thing"
That will do. exclaimed Lord
Hayward
Now go, said Lady Hayward, ring
ing the bell for Taylor; II must dres.
at once
As he went out to meet the maid If
the doorway. and he gave her more
curiots look than usual. The result,
was to give up his idea as preposterous
She had Il very gentle good face; hel
soft brown hair, brushed smoothly
over her ears. gave it almost Puritan.
&c look. Lady Hayward had mad,
something OF friend of her, and til,
girl had never presumed in the leas
upon it, but had always retained hel
subdued, sweet manner.
Lady Hayward scrutinized her, too
during the process of dressing, but sh
shrank from the thoughts in her owl
mind. She had grown fond OF tn,
treasure OF maid, and felt ashamed o.
herquickly suppressed suspicious.
Early next morning telegram wa
sent to Scotland Yard by Lord Hay
ward. who drove over alone to send i
and waited for the answer The repl
seemed to please him, and he rod
back in good spirits to very lat
breakfast He even faced, with mode
rate cheerfulncss, Lady Hayward's ED
est sister, who was in frightful stat
over the loss of her necklace.
The lady was one of his pet aver
sions; she was not pretty or cleve
like his wife, but she was more ire
proachable, more moral, more perfect
and she was an old maid Probabl
she was the only person in the worl
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