Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-07-31

no one claims il, for this morning /
showed IL to Mr.. Frazer, the ieweler
Mt Stonelay. and he said it was very
good button and uncommon, as the
stones are beryls."
"Whatp"
..Dear me, beryls? Are they us ex-
traordinary as all thatg'
That depends. Show us the but
ton, Nellie
Here it is" sho said, taking it
from the mantel shelf
Twelve gold tiligree buttons, jew
elled with beryls, Blayne murmured
to himself.
IL should like TO see your neighbor,
Nellie and his 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 dear little
thing and so pretty"
YES; what sort?'
.Oh. middle height dark hair,
pretty eyes nice figure--.
'That'll do, Nellie. 1t would flt al
most any one. | say. who's that com
ing up the path to the house now"
why. that's Mr.. Martin, said Mel
lie, as Blayne instinctively got behind
the muslin window curtain. from which
post of vantage he could easily see
without being seen: "he's cookbook
ing, isn't he. Jem? Looks like n gen
tleman, rather.
'Ye-es, just that last. / think I've
got the measure"
"And, oh, there is his sister just
behind him-see? Now. that's not
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 man's-sister?n
YES" answered Nellie, "a her
neighbor and his sister, nodding and
smiling to her, entered the next house.
docs she stay the night there?'
inquired Blayne.
"Oh, no; never more than an hour.
Her lady couldn't spare her. But
what is the matter with you, Jem,
laughing in jerks like thatP'
"Oh, nothing. | say, Nellie, is
there visitors list in the paper here?"
Yes: but, Jem-now that wasn't
your lady's maid was it?"
mo. dear; now-the paper"
Blayne wandered steadily on through
the list of fashionable visitors" till
he came to Victoria hotel, Sir Robert
and Lady Merton" Then he folded
up the paper, saying: We'll, Nellie,
I'll go into Stonelay with you to-mor-
row morning to have a look at the
fashions. Here is Aunt Sarah coming
to see after us" as that respectable
lady entered the room.
And there goes Mr. Martins WISH
tor said Nellie, rs woman hastily
closed the door OF the next house and
hurried away.
'She must be late.
Rather" said Blaync.
The next day the detective and his
/ intended walked into Stonelay. and
after few minutes private CONVERSE
ton with the manager of the Victoria
/ he astonished Nellie by insisting on
I buying her different trash in the shops
that commanded IA view of the hotel.
/ At length, on his Offering her pink
/ glass mug decorated with the legend
/ In atfectionate remembrance, " in for
/ get-me-nots, she began protesting.
''All right, dear, wen take it to Aunt
Sarah" he said. with his eyes fixed on
( gentleman who was mounting a horse
that a groom had been leading up and
/ down in front of the hotel
AS soon as the object of his attention
/ had ridden out OF sight, Blayne said to
/ his companion:
''Do you mind walking on home,
Nellie? have little business at the
Victoria, which must see to at once;
then I'll come on after you with the
.'JewelryP'
Yes. and the mug"
Blayne walked into the hotel and
sent q written message to Lady Mer.
ton asking If she would see him al
that somewhat early hour, Us he had
to catch the next train TO town. He
was shown into sitting room where
pretty woman in soft morning
wrapper was lying on the sofa reading
the paper. She rose as he came in
and he thought OF the ladys maid
whose description would lift almost
anyone"
We'll, Mr.. Blayne," she said with
smile, you come about the jewels,
OF course?"
Yes, my lady, do"
There's no news, SUPPOSED"
Your ladyship will be pleased tC
hear that there il news.
''Ah"' she exclaimed, starting
.what-what news?n
"A small, very small portion o
your jewelry is in my hands"
''Indeed?" said Lady Merton more
calmly "are you sure it's mine?"
Il think, my lady. that beryl but
tons, such as yours, pausing to mote
her pallor "are extremely rare.
"Ah! and"
land this button that hold in my
hand" and he showed it as he spoke
''was found in small semi detacheG
villa at some little distance from thi,
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