The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-03-28

bers. He stood pallid and listening, struck
by sudden fear
THE police! p he said to himself.
But moments thought satisfied him
that it was improbable, if not impossible
that this summons should be theirs, and
he went to the door listiessly and threw it
open. On the mat stood Burton Smith in
a soft slouched hat, his hands thrust into
the pockets of his overcoat. Wibberley
just glanced at him and saw that he was
alone, and then, leaving him to shut the
door, returned to his chair and sat down
in his old attitude, with his head between
his hands. He looked already broken
man.
Burton Smith followed him in and stood
a moment looking down at him uncomfort-
able enough. 1t is bad to have had such
a scene as has been described at your
house, but it is worse, if man be man,
to face fellow creature in his time of
shame. At any rate Burton Smith felt it
so. "Look here, Wibberly," he said at
length, as much embarrassed as if he had
been the thief; "look here; it will be better
to hush this up. Give me this confounded
bracelet to hand back to Lady Linacre and
the thing shall go no further
His tone was curiously suggestive both
of old friendship and present contempt and
pity. But when he had to repeat his
question, when Wibberley gave him no
answer, his voice grew harsher Even
then the man with the hidden face did not
speak but pointed with an immense gesture
to the mantel shelf
Burton Smith stepped briskly to the
place indicated and looked He was
anxious to spare the culprit as far as pos
sible. Yes, there was the bracelet. He
seized it, anxious, if the truth be known,
to escape from the place with all speed.
But he laid it down the next instant as
quickly as he had taken it up, and his
brows came together as he turned sternly
upon his companion.
''This is not the bracelet" he said
There was no smack of old affection in his
tone now; it was wholly hostile His
patience was exhausted. "Lady Linacre's
was diamond bracelet of great value, as
you know. This is plain gold thing,
worth e. or G3. For heavens sake, man"
he added with sudden vehemence-'fo
your own sake, do not play the fool now.
Where is the bracelet?"
No doubt despair had partially benumbed
Wibberley's mind for still he did not
speak, and Burton Smith hal to put his
| question more than once before he got an
answer When Wibberley did at last look
up it was with dazed face "What is
it, he muttered, avoiding the others eyes.
''This is not Lady Linacre bracelet
'It is not ?"
''No, certainly not. -
Still confused, still avoiding the Others
grave look, Wibberley rose and took the
bracelet in his hand and glanced askance
at it. And then Burton Smith saw him
start violently.
at is of the same shape" repeated the
barrister, ice in his voice; he Thought the
exchange Il foolish, transparent artifce
But Lady Linacre's has large brilliant
where that has plain boss That is not
Lady I.inacres bracelet"
Wibberley turned away, the circlet in
his hand, and went to the window, where
he stood for quite moment looking out
into the darkness. The curtains were not
drawn. As he stood there, otherwise
motionless, his shoulders trembed so vi0-
lently that certain dreadful suspicion
seized his late host, and the latter desisted
from watching him and looked about, but
in vain, for vial or glass.
At the end of the minute Wibberley
turned. For the first time he confronted
his visitor. His eyes We're strangely bright,
his face very pale, but his mouth was set
strong and firm. 81 never said it was p
he answered grimly.
"Was what p
II never said it was Lady Linacre's.
| 1t was you who said that" he continued,
his head high, singular change evident
in his demeaner, an incisiveness almost
harsh in his tone at was you-you who
suspected me could not show you my
arm because had that bracelet on it..
"And whose bracelet is it2" Burton
Smith murmured doubtfully, shaken as
much by the sudden change in the mans
demeanor as by his denial.
at is your cousin's-Miss Burton's.
We are engaged, replied Wibberley sternly
so entirely had the two changed places.
"She intended to tell you tomorrow. |
saw it on the table and secreted it when |
thought no one was looking. 1t was
foolish thing to do"
"And it was Joanuas bracelet that
Vereker May saw you take p
"Precisely'
Burton Smith said word about the
civilian which we need not repeat. Then
he added: "But why on earth, old fel-
low, did you not explain p
"Firstly," Wibberley replied with force
"because | should have had to proclaim
my engagement to all those fools, and |
had not Joanna's permission to do that.
And secondly-well, did not wish to
confess to being such an idiot as | was.
"Umphr' said Burton Smith, slowly,
an odd light in his eyes. 81 think you
were fool, butt suppose you will shake
hands?"
'Certainly, old man." And they did
so warmly.
'Now then" continued the barrister,
his face becoming serious again, 'the ques-
iion is, where is Lady Linacre's bracelet ?"
"That is hardly my business" ," Wibber-
, ley answered 81 am sure you will excuse
, me saying so. have had trouble enough
with it-I know that-and, if you don't
, mind, am of to bed.
, But, though his friend left him on the
instant, Wibberley did not go to bed at
once. Burton Smith, hurryihg homeward,
to find when he reached Onslow mansions
that Lady Linacre's bracelet had been dis
5 covered in founee of her dress, would
, have been surprised, very much surprised
indeed, could he have looked into the
chambers a minute later--a minute after
J his own departure. He would have seen
his friend cast down on his knees before a
! great chair, his face hidden, his form
shaken by wild, hysterical sobbing. For
: WibherIav 1vas moved for once fo the