Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-10

was no smack of old affection in his tone
now; 1t was wholly hostile. His patiencs
was exhausted. Lady Linacre's was q
diamond bracelet of great value, as yor
know This is a plain gold thing worth
two or three pounds. For heavens sake
man. he added. with sudden vehemence
for your own sake. do not play the foo
now! Where is the bracelet?"
No doubt despair had partially benumbec
Wibberley's mind. for still he did not speak
and Burton Smith had to put his question
more than once before he got an answer
When Wibberley did at last look up. Il wa.
with a dazed face. What is it," he NUT
tered. avoiding the others eyes.
This is not Lady Linacre's bracelet"
1T is not?'
mo; certainly not"
Still confused. still avoiding the Others
grave look, Wibberley rose and took tbs
bracelet in his hand. and glanced askancs
at 1t. And then Burton Smith saw hin
start violently.
1T is Of the same shape" repeated the
barrister, ice in his voice; he thought the
exchange a foolish. transparent artifice
But Lady Linacre's has a large brillian,
where that has plain boss. That is moi
Lady Linacre's bracelet"
Wlbberley turned away, the circlet in hi,
hand, and went to the window, where he
stood for quite a moment looking out into
the darkness. The curtains were moi
drawn. As he stood there, otherwise mo-
tionless, his shoulders trembled SO yiolentl,
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 turn
ed For the first time he confronted hi.
visitor. His eyes were strangely bright, hi.
face very pale: but his mouth was SCI
strong and firm. II never said II vast" b,
answered grimly.
WAS what?
II never said II was Lady r,inacre,s +
was you who said that" he continued. hi
head high, singular change evident i'm hi,
demeanor, an incisiveness almost harsh 4,
his tone. 1t was you-you who suspected
me! could not show you my arm because
l had that bracelet on it."
And whose bracelet is ity' Burton Smith
murmured doubtfully, shaken as much by
the sudden change in the mans demeano
as by his denial.
1T 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. 1 saw
II on the table and secreted it when
thought no one was looking. 1t was q
foolish thing to d."
And it was Joanna's bracelet that Yer
eker May saw you take?"
Precisely"
Burton Smith said a word about the civil
ian which We need not repeat. Then he ad-
ded: But why on earth. old fellow. did 70,
not explain2"
Firstly" Wibberley replied with force
because 1 should have had to proclaim m,
engagement to all those fools, and / haC
not Joanna's permission to do that. And
secondly-well. / did not wish to confess I,
being such an idiot as 1 was"
'Umph!" said Burton Smith, slowly an
odd light in his eyes. l think you were ;
fool. butt suppose you will shake hands p
Certainly. old man." And they did sc
warmly.
Now. then" continued the barrtster. hi,
face becoming serious again, 1.-THE question
Is, where is Lady Lincare's braceletY'
THAT Is hardly my business" Wibberle,
answered. 1 am sure you will excuse M,
saying so. / have had trouble enough wifi
It'll know that-and. II You don't mind.
am Off to bed"
But though his friend left him on the In
slant Wibberley did not 60 to bed at once
Burton Smith hurrying homeward-to 6nt
when he reached Onslow Mansions tina
Lady Linacre's bracelet had been discover
ed in founce OF her dress-would hay,
been surprised, very much surprised in
deed, could he have looked into the cham
bers minute later-a minute after his ow,r
departure. He would have seen his friend
cast down on his knees before a great chat,
his face hidden. his form shaken by wild
hysterical sobbing. For Wibberley was
moved for once to the inmost depths of hi.
nature. 1t is not given to all men to awake
and find their doom a dream. Only tr
dreams. indeed, does the cripple get hi,
strength again, and the murderer his ole
place among his fellow-men. wibberley was
fortunate.
And the lesson? Did he take IL to heart
ION Or stay-ask Joanna. She should