The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-07-03
he new and fashionable watering place,

fancy had been working bit too hard,
though always said it was mothers
nonsense. It's true it's rather dull here,
but then often go into Stonelsy and
have look at the smart visitors. So,
even il Aunt Sarah Is snappy at times,
don't mind. She's kind enough, real
ly."
'tShe couldn't have got anyone else to
bring her here, so she ought to be. |
bet the beastly water puts an edge on a
temper like hers Yes. expect it is
pretty dull alone with her. Poor
Nelly.'
''Oh. don't mind; and we've got a
new neighbor.r
''Old what's name ?-you told
me of, gomez"
mo. She's got new lodger-a man
good looking, rather. She brought
him in one day to tea, and we meet him
now and then on the road. But he
doesn't go out much"
"Oh. hiding on some count, is he 2"
asked Jem rather snappishly of the
pretty dress -maker.
Nonsense, Jem. he isn't hiding. He
is drinking the waters, he says, and he
has a very pretty sister.
sister? Then they both lodge next
door ?"
mo. She comes to see him. She is
lady's maid staying Al Stonelay. The
husband of the lady she is with is drink
ing the waters"
ugh? lady's mald?" said Blayne,
spitetully. thinking of his recent trials,
with which his fiancee was acquainted.
Really. Jem. believe your failing
to fix the stealing business on the poor
lady's maid has made you hate the lot.
And talking of your jewel affair, find
while you lose
How do you mean?"
why, yesterday l found such a
lovely button on the path just outside
here. 1t was sparkling in the sun and |
picked it up and brought it in. 1 went
into old Mrs. Browns to ask Mr.. Mar
tin (her lodgerl if he knew anything
about it, but he was away for two days.
Auntie says I'll have to make it known.
perhaps advertise it if no one claims it,
for this morning I showed it to Mr..
Frazer. the jeweller at Stonelay, and
he said it was very good button and
uncommon, as the stones are beryls."
What"
Dear me, beryls? Are they as extra
ordinary as all that"
That depends. Show US the button,
Nellie"
Here it is" she said, taking it from
the mantel shelf.
Twelve gold filigree buttons. jew
elled with beryls." Blayne murmured to
himself. Il should like to see your
neighbor. Nellie, and her sister. the
lady's maid"
why. Jem. you don't think-oh.
remember now, that description you
sent me of the lost Jewels. But this
can't be She is such adear little thing,
and so pretty"
Yes: what sort ~
''Oh, middle height, dark hair, pretty
eyes, nice figure"
'That'll do, Nellie. 1t would fit al
most anyone. say, who is that coming
up the path to the house now"
why, that is Mr.. Martin" said
Nellie, as Blayne instinctiyely got be-
hind the muslin window curtain, from
which post of vantage he could easily
see without being seen: ''he is good
looking, isn't he. Jem. Looks like a
gentleman, rather"
"Ye-es, Just that last. think have
got his measure"
And, oh, there is his sister just be-
hind him-see? Now, that is rot your
lady's maid. is it,"
That" exclaimed Blayne. with eyes
nearly starting through the lace of the
curtain, lis that your lady's maid and
that mans sister,"
Yes" answered Nellie. as her neigh
Dor and his sister, nodding and smiling |
20 her entered the next house.
Does she stay the night there?" in
quired Blayne.
''Oh, no: never more than an hour.
Her lady could not spare her. But |
what is the matter with you, Jem,
laughing in Jerks like that ?"
oh. nothing. say. Nellie, ls there
hea visitors list in paper here?"
Yes: but. Jem-now that wasn't
your lady's maid, Was it,"
NO. dear: nOw-the paper"
Blayne wandered steadily on through
the list OF fashionable visitors" till he
came 10 Victoria Hotel, Sir Robert
and Lady Merton" Then he folded up
the paper, saying: We'll. Nellie, III
20 into StOnelay with you tomorrow
morning to have look at the fashions.
Here Is Aunt Sarah coming to see after
Is, as that respectable lady entered the
room.
And there goes Mr.. Martins visit
", said Nellie, as woman hastily
closed the door of the next house and
hurried away.
She must be late"
Rather" said Blaynt.
The next day the detective and his in
tended walked into Stonelay. and after
A few minutes private conversation
with the manager of the Victoria. he
astonished Nellie by insisting on buy
ng her differnt trash in the shop that
a view OF the hotel. At
ength. on his offering her pink glass
mug decorated with the legand, In az
ectionate remembarence," in forget
ne-nots. she began protesting.
''All right, dear. we'll take il to Aunt
Sarah" he said, with his eyes fixed on
/ gentleman who was mounting a horse
hat a groom had been leading up and
Town in front of the hotel.
As coon as the object of his attention
lad ridden out OF sight Blayne said 70
lis companion.
do you mind walking on home,
Nellie? I have little business at the
Victoria which must see to at once:
hen l will come on after you with the
"Jewelry ?"
Yes. and the mug.
Blayne walked into the hotel and sent I
written message TO Lady Merton ask
ag If she would see him at that some
What early hour. as he had to catch the
iext train TO town. He was shown into
! sitting-rOom where pretty woman in :
soft morning wrapper was lying on |
he sofa. reading the paper. She rose /:
IS he came in, and he thought of the !
ady's maid, whose description would '