Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-01-14

LAZY 'NMWOrtn, tnht Mtiliccnt N Htruck
byit. "It IN my cross-thc one belonging
TO the diamond set Sir Thomas gave me
on my marriage, that In hanging around
her neck"
"Dut how could Nadinc"--
"If you doubt IT," said Lady valworth,
with sudden vehemenee, "let mo have an
authority TO prove that what I say IL
right. Call Sir Thomas. lie IL over
there. Ask him." "Dear Lady Val.
worth, but you know you would not like
TO distress Miss Roche" puts In Gerald
Massareene who has been perforcc list
ener to the disclosure and who now feels
he must take u prominent part in the dis
cussion.
lie is amply rewarded for his intcrfer-
ence by an eloquent look from Millicent.
"True--truer says Lady valworth
signing. ~ shall not speak 10 Sir
Thomas now but by and by shall call
his attention to Il. Good heavens. Mili-
cent this may mean the recovery of the
whole set"
"IInrdiy I think. These matters drift.
BY plecemeVl they enter the windows Of
respectable yclwclers, and all the research
In the world will not bring to light the
real offcnders."
"Stili. Il gives hope. I shall examine
Nadine, and"
has gone over our heads" entrests Milx.
cent. eagerly, willing 70 spare Nadine .
shock. "why would you make unhappy
Q guest In your house ON the very eve OF
Grants birthniGht bali!'
This Is the very argument OF all Others
70 gain over Lady valworth to her way Of
thinking.
eyes. All should 90 smoothly for
Grant," says Grants mother thought
fully. "And Nadine-she-she may not
be 60 blame"
"May notr' 'Milliccnt's eyes grow dark
with indignant rcproach. "What can
you mean by such q speech as thats
Nadine! do you for one instant believe
that she has had any part In this strange
story Of which you speak,"
my dear child, would not hurt you
In any way, rs you well knOw-not even
through another. And ms for Nadine,
you can see youn'elf how highly esteem
her."
"IIighly indeed, when you can hint at
scandal In connection with her."
~ Save limited at nothing. ] confess
I am horribly distressed ut seeing my
own cross round anothcr's neck. do you
blame me for that"
In her distress ut having brouRh ht down
the anger OF her sons fancce upon her
head, and her agitation at seeing ngain q
portion Of her lost diamonds. poor Lady
Valworth Is reduced to the very verge Of
despair.
"Bc reasonable, Millisent. At least,
grant me Justice. have said nothing to
Nadine. Why should I, when deem her
innocent! Yet the connecting link be-
tween me and the robber Of my diamonds
lies with her."
will not have her connected with thi.
affair In any way" cries Miiliccnt, hotly,
tears In her eyes. ''ln scckin:, for your
missing link. you will incriminatc her,
and terriiy ..cr and make her wretched.
Aud she has had nothing to do with It.
Has she."
She turns almost defiantly upon Massa.
rccne, who up TO this has been silent.
"Do you think she has,"
"a thousand times nor declares he
gently. Miss Roche and deceit Of any
kind seem to me as far apart M the poles.
IL stands TO reason, too. that II she had
known anything Of the lost diamonds, she
would hardly have worn them here"
lie In 80 earnest, so eager In his speech,
that Millicent. with her eyes full OF tears,
lays her hand ON his. This net rcpays
him for many things, and makes him
trcbly Naslins's friend. And his argu-
mcnt, too goes home to Lady ValwOrth,
90 that two causes are gained. II the
latter had ever permitted herself To have
any doubts, they now vanish into moth
ingncss. and only Madness pale, pure face
rises before her. On such face no guilt
could liel
"My dear, I meant nothing-nothIng.
40 far ms Nadine In concerned" she cries
In RsitatiOn; "but, Of course. Il Is only
natural that should desire the return ~
my diamonds-Sir Thomas diamonds. II
Nadine can help me TO solution of this
difficulty, I shall forever hold her In my
debt
"Who gave this cross 10 hers" asks
Miiliccnt suddenly. II = little col,lly.
"The man to whom she IL engaged.
Paul Anncrlcy she called him. The man
she Is going to marry"
"You present him 10 me In the light Of
either a dupe or swindlcr."
"a dupe, most probably. lie may.
however, be OF use TO us In the discovery
Of t1e missing stones"
at will distress Nadine very mach 10
have her lover accused Of being an ont.
sic! : In this affair"
~ do not see that" says Massarccnc,
quickly, who 10 as honest as he IL fulfilled
Of love. "lf he can lead Justice to its ends,
why should he not be used! Miss Roche,
am sure, would bc the very last to pre-
vent that: and %, when you conc 10 think
Of ir--looking at Milliccnt-''would
you"
"weli-pcrhaps. but Nadine must not
be teased now. Not tonight. To-mor.
row night perhaps, when the ball Is over
but not before"
"As you wiil," says Lady valwOrth.
with u sigh.
She would have liked TO speak with
Nadine now at once. ''ls II n conspiracy"
asks Duran. coming up at this moment
aud touching Lady Vnlworth lightly ON
the arm. "You all look ~ solcmn--cven
Miss Grey. who, as n rule, Is gay asspring
time"
"ohw exclaims Millicent; "it is this
curious affair."" she goes on; "auntie
imngines she has seen tonight some Of
her lost diamonds. And where do you
Think
"In tho servants hniis" suggests he.
laughing.
mo. Here. IN tnls very rOoth, Wurn
by ore ~ her guests"
"lmpossible" Something In her tone
rcmoycs the smile from Dursn's lips. lie
turns to Lady Valworth. "A gucsi'" he
says.
"Aiillicent Is indiscrcet, " hesitatcs Lady
valworth, casting q reproachful glance at
her niece.
"Not that; only little angry. " returns
Milliccnt, with rather trcmulous smile.
"And why should whs, you have told us
he hid'ien' Why. after nil. are We 20
whisper ~ Il IN corners. We almost con
denim her In sO doing"
Condemn! Who" exclaims Duran
sharply.
Instinct, love, what yon will, hns led
him to \ knowledge 81 the truth.
"Naiine." replies Lady ralworth In
low tome, her eyes lowered.
"whO has dared lie checks him
self abruptly by an effort that renders his
face Rs white aud cold as marble. 'You
can scarcely ailudc 10 Miss Roche when
speaking Of this matter, he goes ON, with
q lAbored attempt TO appear calm.
tsnf EaAlnae Xaa lint a. Il all N mis-.