Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-06-30

was sparkling in the sun, and picked it
up and brought 1t in. i went into old
Mrs. Browns to ask Mr.. Martin (her
lodgerl if he knew anything about it; but
he was away for two days, she told me;
coming back tonight. Auntie says I'll
have to make it known, perhaps advertise
IL no one claims it, for this morning
showed it to Mr.. Frazer, the jeweler at
Stonelay, and he said it was very good
button. and uncommon, as the stones are
beryls."
WHAT!
Dear mel-beryls. Are they as extra
ordinary as all that?"
"That depends. Show us the button,
Nelly?"
Here it is" she said taking it from the
| mantleshelf.
Twelve gold flligree buttons jeweled
with beryls," Blayne murmured to him.
| self. 81 should like to see your neighbor,
Nelly, and his sister. the lady's maid"
why Jem, you don't think-O, re-
member now, that description you sent
| me of the lost jewels! But this can't be.
She is such a dear little thing and so
pretty"
Yes; what sort?''
"Oh, middle height. dark hair. pretty
| eyes, nice figure"
That'l do, Nelly. 1t would fit almost
any one. say, who's that coming up the
| path to the house now?"
"
| Blayne instinctively got behind the mus
lin window curtain, from which post Of
vantage he could easily see without being
seen: he's good looking, isn't he, Jim?
Looks like gentleman, rather"
"Ye-es; just that last. I think I've got
| his measured"
| "And o, 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
curtains; lis that your lady's maid and
that mans sister,"
Yes" answered Nelly. as her neighbor
| and his sister, nodding and smiling to her,
entered the next house.
docs she stay the night there?" in
quired Blayne.
go, no; never more than an hour. Her
lady couldn't spare her. But what is the
matter with you, Jem, laughing in jerks
like that?"
90, nothing. say, Nelly, is there visl-
tors 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
paper, saying: Well, Nelly, I'll go into
Stonelay with you tomorrow morning to
have look at the fashions. Here is Aunt
Sarah coming to see after u.s." as that re-
spectacle lady entered tho room.
And there goes Mr.. Martins visitor"
said Nelly as a woman hastily closed the
door of the next house and hurried away.
"She must be late"
Rather" said Blayne.
The next day the detective took his in
tended walked into Stonelay, and after a
few minutes private conversation with
the manager of the Victoria, he astonished
Nelly by insisting on buying her different
view of the hotel. At length, on his Offer
ing her pink glass mug decorated with
the legend, In affectionate remem-
. brance" in forget-me-nots, she began pro-
| testing.
; "All right, dear, We'll take it to Aunt
! Sarah" he said, with his eyes fixed on a
gentleman who was mounting a horse
. that a groom had been leading up and
down in front of the hotel.
AS soon as the subject of his attention
had ridden out of sight, Blayne said to
his companion:
"Do you mind walking on home Nelly
> I have little business at the Victoris
which must see to at once; then I'll come
on after you with the"
a "Jewelry?"
Eyes, and the mug"
Blayne walked into the hotel and sent 8
a written message to Lady Merton, asking
= II she would see him at that somewhat
= early hour, as he had to catch the mex
p train to town. He was shown into sit
: ting-room where a very pretty woman in {
, soft morning wrapper was lying on the
. sofa, reading the paper. She rose as h
= came in, and he thought of the ladys maiC
!. whose description would fit almost an!
- one"
"Well, Mr.. Blayne." she said, with
!, smile, "you come about the jewels o
. course"
- Yes, my lady, I do"
=. "There is no news. 1 suppose?"
y "Your ladyship will be pleased to hea
y that there is news"
!. "AhT she exclaimed, starting. what
j. what news"
% "a small, very small portion of you
- jewelry is in my hands"
Indeed" said Lady Merton more calm
=, ly. care you sure it is miner"
~ 81 think, my lady. that beryl button
=, " such as yours" pausing to note her pallol
+ "are extremely rare"
~ "Ah! and"
"And this button that hold in m
% hand he showed it as he spoke" wa
- found in q semi-detached villa at some lii
e tie distance from this town during the at
10 sence of-the thief"
10 He watched the blood rush to her fac
II her throat, her brow, and, thoughtful
- looking elsewhere, said:
=. 1.-The rest Of your jewels, my lady, mus
"a be recovered by me or by-you."
~ Really" she stammered, IL don
~ see"
10 st beg your pardon, my lady, but "
~ waste time. know that in q case of tn
NO 40 sort my instructions would be to avoid tt
"a chance of scandal, and look to you to he
1O me with this. for your own sake. You mul
- return to that house this morning vii
~ me-"
, O "Ican't, can't" she gasped, clinging
m the side of the sofa.
"A' my lady, you mustw answered the
NM tective. IF you go with me shall fl
." only the jewels, but If go alone mu
find the thief. Now, will you come al