The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-11-17

you
"well-perhaps. But Nadine must no
be leased now Not tonight. To-mor
row night perhaps, when the ball IL oyel
but not before"
"As you will" sys Lady Valworth
with n sigh. 49,,
Che would have liked 70 speak with
Nadine now at once. as itn conspiracy
nsks Duran. coming up at this moment
and touching Lady Nalworth lightly on
the arm. "You all look SO solemn-ever
Miss Grey, who, as a rule, IS say as spring
time"
"Ohw oxclaims Millicent; at Is this
curious affair."" she goes oni "aurtc
imagines she has seen tonight some OF
her lost diamonds. And where do sou
thinkyi
In the servants hallr' suggests he,
laughing
"No. Here. In this very room, worn
by one Of her guests"
Impossible" Something IN her tone
removes the smile from Durar lips. lie
turns 20 Lady Vaiwortb. ~ guestl" he
Gays
"Millicent Is indlscreet," hesitates Lady
Valworth, casting a reproachful glance at
her niece.
"Not that; onlya little angry, returns
Mill!ccnt, with a rather tTemulOus smile.
"And why should what you have told us
be hiddcn' Why, after all, are we TO
whisper Of IL in cornerss We almost con-
denim her IN SO doing"
"Condemnl Who" exclaims Duran
sharply.
Instinct, lovd what you will, has led
him to a knowledge Of the truth.
Nadine, " replies Lady yalworth in a
low tone, her eyes lowered.
"Who has dared He checks him
self abruptly by an effort that renders his
face rs white and cold as marble. you
can scarcely allude 20 Miss Roche when
speaking Of this matter, " he goes on, with
a labored attempt to appear calm.
"Of Nadlnc' Yes. Bnt it is all n mis-
take says Millicent. Lady Valworth
has seen diamond cross around her
neck. But one cross Of that sort is so like
another / for my part feel sure it Is 8
mere coincidence st is point on
which no doubt should be allowed TO rest
even for a moment, " declares Duran, his
brow darkening. He looks round him.
"Aliss Roche is at the other end Of the
room. VIII YOU permit me 10 bring her
here, Lady Valwortb, and let you have a
closer examination Ct this crOss2 You,
too, Miss Grcy2 You know the cross in
question: 81 have seen it-yes," says
Milliccnt, slowly IF you think It bet
terSto LIT this doubt from Lady Val
worth mind so-bring Nadine here. BIT
upon one thing ! insist'-fixing her eyes
first on him and then on her aunt with an
imperious glance-"that no thought Of
our suspicion is betrayed to Nadine.
will not have her hurt-oGcndcdn --
She breaks of abruptly. She is agi-
tated and her eyes are troubled. Could
she know 1t, her agitation, kindly,
womanly as it is-has made Duran her
friend for life.
Certainly, no allusiop should be made
to--er-anything awkward, puts in Mas
sareene hurriedly.
Duran has already gone in quest OF Ma
dino, and presently returns, bringing
her 10 where Lady NalwOrth, Millicent,
and Gerald Massareene are standing.
The girl, flushed and lovely, forgctful
for the moment Of oil her cruel future.
and mindful only Of the happy present
that has given her Duran, advances
toward the anxious, expectant group
with smiling lips and wide, glad eyes
Upon her neck the fatal cross is rising
falling, glittering, as only the purest
diamonds can. Milliccnt, her gaze fixed
upon them, feels her heart contract. IL
not Lady Nalworth's cross, it is unfortu
nately horribly like it,
Some few words pass between her and
Nadine The latter is too full Of the
hours passionate JOY to heed the grief
within her friends eyes. But Duran
reads T. Lady Valworth, after one
swift glance at the girls neck, lets her
gaze sink TO her fan. with which she per.
TRIES until Nadine has gone by
them.
"WcL'" she says then, addressing Nil
liccnt.
81 acknowledge it is like your cross
so like that it may be yours; and, if so.
for her from wherever the thief sold it,"
~ CITY clerk to hwy shot jo.--ei"'
There is unbelicf keen and strong, IN
Lady Valworth's low tone.
GLOW else could he have obtained j.?
" no lo luis AANl AuiN44tt At'N "t'Nth
be have had access TO your jewel caset"
Miss Grcy's tone IS somewhat impa-
tent.
THAT IS what ! cannot say. l only
know the cross is mine, " replies her aunt
ioggedly.
at resembles e. That ] admit But
/ think time will prove TO you that you
are mistaken. Il is probably only paste.
paste Of that sort is expensive for
its clerk.
Her Obs,inacy angers Millicent.
"Then in ell probability, a. | said be
lore, 70 is mere glass-Spanish crystal-
what YOU win" she says, Smuggling her
shoulders. II can well believe 10 is a
BIT Of French iewelry. What | cannot
believe IS, that Nadine has had any inter
course with e thief. -
GAS you have said, time win tell, " re
Plies Lady Nalworth, modify.