The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-08-28
In Wig and Gown.


staiu Inc night in town, in order to
bring with her new dress for a ball
which was to he given at the castle
the following evening.
Az last the carriage dashed up to
the door. driven very fast, for the
eoachman knew it was late. The
frst person whoemerged from it was
sn exceedingly quiet-looking, we'll
aressed young woman-the maid ev.
ldently. She quickly disappeared
and was followed by Lady Hayward,
who Instantly seized her husbands
Wm.
/ 4 wafst 70 speak.stosyeu,u said
'fNrd Hayward, "before you drsss
there's just time"
He followed her up to her dressing
room, where tea was waiting on a
little table by the fire. Lady Hay
wan's mad just put an easy wrap.
per emptirgly ready, and was busy
getting out a dinner dress for her
mistress.
81 will send for you in few min
.utes, Tsylor,' said Lady Hayward ;
and the lerfecay-trained servant van
ished at Dnce.
II wender whether it's that girl
after all,P exclaimed Lord Hayward,
"yet it seems impossible"
"Don't talk enigmas." said Lady
Hayward imperiously. "There isn't
time. What is the matter ?" she was
pouring put her tea as she spoke, and
now begin to sip it.
"More things have disappeared, ;"
said Lori Hayward, ina low voice,
land this time it's worse. The old
Duchesshas lost big diamond ring,
and your sisters diamond necIace is
gone"
Lady Hayward put down her tea.
"Verndn, this is awful" she said.
"What ale we to do? Who can it be
It's absum to talk about Taylor, she
was withme in town."
"Ah, put we can't tell exactly
what tine 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 dia-
mond brooch went"
$50 it was" said Lady Hay ward
'szz5a, that makes no difference. The
brooch was taken while we were
away. Besides, the thing is absurd.
Tayor is above suspicion, | know the
girIso well. Why, Vernon, she went
with me all through France and
Itay when 1 joined you in Rome
wewere always together. and | used
to ak to her a great deal. She is a
very superior girl. No; it would be
met unjust to suspect Taylor"
swell, there is no one else," said
Lord Hayward dejectedly, "except
Door little Rose Mannering."
"Poor little Rose Mannering" was
the governess who took charge oi
their one little girl.
"Absurd ~ said Lady Hayward
And so it was on the face of it. They
knew Rose Monnering's family we'll
she was lady, and little more thar
child.
A silence followed, during which
both looked into the fire for inspira
ton. All the servants in the house
were born of families who had beer
for generations on the estate. The
idea of suSpecting any of them was
too painful. Taylor was the only eX
ception, and she had been with Lady
Hayward two years.
81 begin to believe" said Lady
Hayward, "that it is one of ou
guests"
"Good heavens. Kate, what al
idea."
scan you suggest anything else
mo, l can't. There's some infer
nal deviltry at work, but beat my
brains how l will, l can't see wher
it comes FROM"
"I'll tell you what we must do
Vernon" said Lady Hayward decis
lively. 1--WE must be very careful
not to frighten any one, and keeI
our own counsel. Ride over to tn
town early tomorrow morning an,
telegraph to Scotland Yard for dc
tective to come down disguised to tn
hall. There will be so many peopl
the servants won't have time to nc
tice him, He must stop as visito
until he finds ort something"
"That will do" exclaimed Lor
Hayward.
Nov CO." said Lady Hayward
ringing the bell for Taylor, II mus
dress at once"
AS he went out he met the maid !
the doorway, and gave her MOI
curious look than usual. The resu
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