Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-02-15
WOMAN AGAIN8Y WOMAN.
BY MRS. M. E. HOLMES.

| beautiful in her morning gOWn.Of gray,
fitting her rounded form to perfection:
| there was troubled expression on her
face. but her eyes, beneath their deep
lashes. 9lOwed with excitement and
JOY.
SEARCH the other rooms" cried the
Earl, striding himself towards the
bOudOir
Lady Darrell gazed after him in dis
treSs.
''What can have happened?" she
murmured to Valerie, who shook her
head.
Davis at this instant heard steps in
the passage and looked out.
1T is Mason, my lord; he wants to
speak to you.
what is it," asked Roy, coming
from the inner room.
'Mv lord. there has been robbery:
Chelmick is in a dreadful way. Three
of the gold cups are stolen, and plate.
The door OF the Tower Wing is un-
latched, and we picked up this ribbon
on the path leading to the coppice.
That" cried Davis, Selling it
''that belongs to my mistress. Oh,
then she is in the grounds, after all.'
And my lord, Chelmick desired me
to tell you that Count Jura has gone
away: he has not slept in his room, and
his luggage has disappeared. [ took
your message to him this morning, but
could not open his door, it was
''Goue. Jura gone!" repeated Roy
blankly, passing his hand over his
eyes. 'Mother-Valerie what does it
mean:'
Valerie pushed the servants from the
room, and shut the door
''It means" she answered deliber-
ately. that you have been robbed,
and that they have fled together
''Valerie." cried Lady Darrell.
''You lie" said Roy in low husky
tones.
Valerie turned away and buried her
face in her hands in reality to hide
the triumph that was cleaning on it.
The Earl approached her.
valerie, forgive me! | don't know
what | am saying or doing. [ think [
am mad, but this is too hOrriDl cit
cannot be true.'
Question them further, Roy" his
mother mulmured; the shock was so
great to her pride and honor, she
looked almost i'll.
The Earl hastily opened the door.
MASON, go at once, and see II 1t be
correct about the Count: there may be
some mistake. Davis, come in here.
Now tell me all that occurred when
you were with the Countess last
night
The maid complied. and went over
all that had happened.
''YOu took all her jewels Off, you
say?' Valerie interrupted quietly,
though her hands were trembling,
land put them away"
mo; her ladyship did that"
''Then you carried the diamonds
back to the care of the butler?"
Davis looked round suddenly.
mo, miss: [ left them here. My
lady said she would put them away,
"They are gone, too" finished Va
lerie quietly. Come, dear Lady Oar
rell. there IS no more to be said: you
know the worst now
Lady Darrell put her hand on Va
lerie S arm, and turned away with bent
head and dropping limbs.
The Earl watched them go, then
sank on TO q couch and covered his
face with his hands: all was too con-
elusive. the evidence was damning
against Alice.
Alice. his sweet dream-love, his
wife had tled-she was a thief, and a
traitress. AS yet he could not com
prehenG it, and strongest in his pain
was the feeling that she was gone from
him forever-yes. ever, though her
guilt seemed so evident, he loved her
still.
He sat for many minutes, then rose
with a groan and strobe down the COR
ridor. unconscious that a woman's eyes
were following him hungrily and
eagerly.
"All works we'll, muttered Valerie,
from her hiding-place. ''She is lost
now: their pride will condemn her a
thief. 1t was a good thought on Jura' $
part to take the diamonds, but | don't
quite understand about the plate: she
had no share in that Could Jura be
indeed al" She stopped, then a
thought came to her. He mentioned
Paul: now | see it clearly. Jura is no
count; they are leagued together.
What if the girl discovers Paul to be
my brother. She may return and tell
all" She threw a terrified glance
around. then smile came. mo. am
weak and foolish: he swore they should
neither of them cross my path: he has
the GIRL he loves. he will trouble me
no more
CHAPTER X