Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-05-29
CHAPTER V.

The day succeeding the ball was on,
Of intense excitement to Marsden's some
what scratch household.
1t was many day since the Old
bridge police had risen to such import
snce, and they made the most of 1t.
Evesleigh House was pervaded by stall
wart guardians Of the public peace
They rummaged the rooms, sent the high
| minded house-maids into Mysteries by
examining their boxes; tramped to and
fro in the grounds, every now and then
carefully following footprints which had
been made by their fellows. They near
ly took the Italian confectioner, sent
down by the great London house which
furnished the more sublime portions of
the supper, into custody; they examined
the men, and were "sauced" by the
women; but they discovered-nothing
| and they impressed Marsden with a con-
viction of their incompetence. He there
fore dispatched telegram to his solicitor,
requesting him to obtain the assistance
IF detective from Scotland Yard.
When Nora walked over to inquire for
Mrs. Ruthven on the afternoon following
the search she was a little surprised by
being admitted to the presence of that
lady, who arose from her writing table
20 greet her with smile.
She looked pale, and the shadows be.
meath her eyes were dark, as IL she were
exhausted by the excitement she had
gone through.
Thank you, my dear Miss L'Estrange,
for coming to see mel Captain Shirley
tells me you were SO good as to be very
frightened about me last night. 1 as
sure you, am grateful; fancy few care
much for me"
"Oh, every one likes you! every ono
io1 AhoI ~,
her caressing manner and soft voice, II
was awfully frightened! you looked like
death! I wonder you are ns well as you
veem."
'I feel very shaky, however. Wa.
that awful long knife! I must have been
near death for a moment"
Don't think of it." said Nora, shud
dering: "nnd they have found no clew as
yet to the theft"
"None-not the faintest. The cloak
hat and mask were all rolled up together,
with the knife, l am told; and are none
of them of English make? they are no
help. Captain Shirley says, no doubt
the robber had other clothes or covering
to put on, and probably walked away
coo1ly and openly, as a guest who was en-
joying the freshness outside after the
warmth within"
But he will be discovered. Surely he
will not escape?" said Nora.
"Not If money and perseverance car
trap him." said Mrs. Ruthven, in a low,
resolute tone, that struck Nora as hav-
ing touch of cruelty. "What an ending
to a charming ballv' she continued;
though it did not quite end-did it? ]
believe you had few dances after"
"Yes," returned Nora; "all the people
did not know for some time what had
happened, so the band played on, but
BY ha,f-past 2 all was ended"
Something kept her back from saying
that she and Marsden had danced.
"Oh, of coursev' said Mrs. Ruthven
slowly raising her eyes, till they rested
On her companions. There was no rea-
son why two or three hundred strangers
should cease their funning,' because an
outsider was robbed. And who did you
dance with"
with the Squire; you know he always
said 1 should have one dance with him if
he ever gave ball..
"Very natural, indeed" said Mrs
Ruthven, sweetly; "you have known him,
I believe, all your life?'
"Oh, yes; when I was quite a baby, he
was SO much with my father, used to
think him a second one, so when 1 met
him again 1 was quite astonished to find
him so young"
"And not at all fatherly? Under
stand. How long was it since you had
metz"
mine or ten years; but he was just the
,ame as ever; so good-natured and pleas
ant, though he treats me like great
baby, and never speaks reasonable
word to me-" said Nora, smiling, and col
oring at the tone in which Mrs. RuthveD
had uttered her last words.
"Well, he must be charming relative"
remarked Mrs. Ruthven, with a slight
Sigh, and for q short while they talked
pleasantly Of Evesleigh and country life:
the various places both had visited on
the continent, and the delights Of the
past season in London.
"It was rather ominous, was it not
that you should express such a wish last
night to see all my jewels?" said Mrs.
Ruthven. IF you like will show you
what is left Of them. Unfortunately 1
put on the best possessed to do honor
70 the Eves!eigh revels."
Thank you very much. am exceed
insIGS :scnd Of seeing pretty things"