The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-03-01

thought that 20 clever woman
would surely find means 10 ba1ie me,
and that should be able to test her
story better II l were out OF her sight.
did test IL thoroughly. and found
that she had woven her web with
great cunning. The Belgian school,
mistress, the members OF the family
In which she had been goyerness, re-
membered Estelle Egerton. and were
willing TO give me all the Information
| required. Both spoke OF her as a
shy. proud. morbidly sensitive girl,
neither handsome nor clever, and in
very delicate health. She had spent
her life in the way Estelle Gerard de-
scribed. and left Madame de Mora at
the time named-since which she
had been lost sight OF altogether.
II rather expected her here, said
Madame Ledru. The child had no
other home. and could lind work for
her always; but she never camc. /
have often thought OF writing to
Madame dc Mora; but in busy life
one forgets so soon
"Undeniably true, but not very
helpful. thought. wondering what
steps | had better take next. Sudden
ly my eyes fell upon IA gaudily bound
album on the polished table beside
me; and an idea occurred TO me at
once.
"'Have you your pupils portraits
there, Madame? Would Miss Eger-
tons by any chance be among themP
] asked; and, Madame asserting with
a cheerful nod, | turned the pages
eagerly, and presently. with a shock
OF surprise and such keen pang OF
remorse as almost took my breath
away, came upon Estelle Gerrard's
beautiful face. Madame, peeping over
my shoulder. laughed and said
"1ou are like the rest OF the
world, monsieur lingering over that
fatal face and forgetting what you
seek
is not this Miss EgertonP' / ask
ed. looking up quickly; and Madame
Ledru shook her head.
My faith, no This is Estelle."
She turned the leaf and showed the
portrait OF a thin sharp-faced girl,
whose only claim to beauty lay In the
large melancholy eyes. But. oddly
unlike as those two were, they were
close friends.
81 turned the page again. Estelle
Egerlon could wait; | must hear more
of the woman who had taken her
name and place.
''And this then
"This has no business here said
Madame, with peremptory haste.
This was a girl as headstrong and
wicked rs the poor Estele was patient
and good She gave me more trouble
than all the other pupils put together
But how brilliant, how beautiful she
was born for no common fate
"And her fatc--you know It.
Madame p
Il know IL, rs you know IL, as all
the world docs, monsieur. She went
upon the stage-after marrying an
Italian musician, the manager OF the
theatre in which she first appeared.
Ma fol, IL he bought her with price
he must soon have been sorry for his
bargain She was beautiful and sue
cess; she turned all heads, and per-
haps her own. He, loving her madly
grew jealous, first OF tho public, then |
OF one man. With reason or not
how should / know P-he shot the |
man. ard tried TO shoot his wife. She |
gave the evidence that sent him TO the |
galleys, and mover dared TO show her |
face upon the stage again. My faith |
IA splendid spoiled life-a wonderful
woman | cannot. as you may believe,
quote Ida Nerluni rs prize-pupll, !
monsieur; but neither can part with |
her portrait.
"But you will lend me that OF Miss |
Egerton perhaps P' asked; and |
Madame with smiling readiness grant
ed my request.
ARMED with this proof OF her de-
ception, | came back 10 England and |
confronted the woman who had SO |
cruelty traded upon your uncle's weak |
ness. Madame Ledru is right. Irene |
she Is a wonderful woman. strong, |
and keen-witted, arm |
ed at all points. She was taken abacls
Tor just one mo ment, then seemed at |
once To realize the strength and weak
ness OF her position. and broke into n |
curious ringing laugh.
$50 you have actually found me out |
and tracked me down, Mr.. Richard
p she said, You arc too |
clever for Ludleigh ! And, though | !
must pay the price for IL. your clover
ness Is almost relief. | was quito
OF wasting my talents on that
good. wearisome, mournful Archie
"A nd tho dundarhoads hare