The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-08-21

| the chief steward and Henry Greig reap
pcarcd mt tho door of the cabin. Tho old
German bore a leather case very carefully
| In his arms
1.-The diamonds havo been found" an
| nounccd tho captain of tho Bengal seri-
ously. "Wo shall not have to trouble you,
| Indies and gcntlemon."
They wcro only ordinary folk, rather
bored by tho tcdiousncss of tho journey
from Calcutta, and thoy could not help
\ showing certain relish over tho diver
| sion.
Most painful affair, really"
Case found under tho pillow In tho
| berth" -.
"Soomed such an honest follow too"
My dear" said Mrs. Renton bitterly,
ut doesn't do to trust any ono nowadays
You never know who's who.'
But you'd think really ON q p. and o.
| stcamship'-
I'm sorry for that poor Miss Norman.
| Sho was engaged to him, you know
"Oh, that's broken Off quito definitely
| heard her telling tho old German so. Tho
| old fellow asked her what was tho matter,
and sho told him. He was partner Of
her fathers, you know, and no seemed
mach concerned about it. You SEQ, dear,
l wasn't exactly listening, butt
But you heard, dear--that's tho main
point. Como into my cabin and 500 my
| new serge dress
They went aft, leaving Greig at tho door
of his cabin. Ho was holding tho sides to
| prevent himself from falling. Othor pas-
| songors went past his cabin, keeping care
fully to tho other side Of tho corridor. Not
| ono of them spoke to him, but thoy all
spoke to each other.
What does this mcan?' cried Henry
GreiS Do they all suspect mcy"
Harry"
a soft white hand on his arm with
gladly.
"Elslel Aren't you too, going to follow
thcm?'
Toll mo first what it all means"
1t did not take long to put tho girl into
possession of tho facts. Her faoo famed
red with Indignation
And they dare to think that you would
do thing like that?'
well, said Groig uneasiIy, "they found
tho things there, you SOC It's circum-
stantial evidence of rather an awkward
Kind. But needn't tell you. Miss Nor
man.
My name Is still Elsie"
My dear girl 1 needn't tell you thnt
l shouldn't dream Of taking poor old Van
Straatcn's diamonds or anybody elses
II am quito sure Of that, Harry. must
SEQ him about It." She repinned her straw
hat with decided air. "Wo two must
stand together now whatever happens"
Elsie, hadn't you better let mo fight 1t
out aloncT Tho truth is nearly sure to
como out sooner or later, and''-
I'm tho meantime, dear, you will have
TO forget our stupid quarrel Of this morn
ing. was quito wrong"
So was l." said Grcig promptly.
a man lnS no hnSin0Sc tO lice rytrI
she is ascending tho gangway of p and
y. steamship. 1t has been dono, no doubt,
on moro than ono occasion, but it is nearly
always M act to DO condemned by right
thinking people who have not had tho
chance of committing the crime. Never
thcless if 1t is at any time to DO pardoned
it was in the instance in question.
But, said tho astonishod Mrs. Renton
to her companion, II thought you said,
my dear, that their engagement was all
Of"
"Shc certainly said so. Why she should
DO so aIcctonato with him now after this
scnndalous affair goodness only knows"
Ah my dear, girls are queer creatures"
There were n few hours of mixed feelings
for Mr. Grcig Of tho Eastern bank. 1t was
terrible to feel this suspicion hanging over
him, to watch the looks cast at him by tho
passengers, to observe Mr.. Van Straaten's
almost comic appearance of injury On
tho other hand, it WAS delightful to feel
that close to him in this timo of stress ms
he sat on deck or strolled up and down
was cheerful young person in her very
best spirits. The bay meanwhile sympa-
thctlcaliy behaved in II manner quito eX-
emplary.
II am asdonishcd, my tear" said Mr..
Van Straaten severely, chat you should
DO fricntly with Mr.. Grcig after what has
habbened alrctty. L strongly advise you
to give him up. You dold me YOU had de-
cidcd"-
I've changed my mind,' she said def
nitoly. Women folk arc not good at q lot
OF things but wo do know how to change
our minds. -
Dir. Van Straaten lifted his hat and
turned away. Tho old gentleman when he
was few PAGES off seemed agitatcd, so
much SO that he had to pat his eyes gen.
tly with his scarlet handkerchief He
called to ono OF the sailors:
Dell my man Hans to come ND in
stantly."
Much commotion soon after the appear-
ancc of the stolid faced Hans A rush to.
ward that part of the ship by all tho pas
scngcrs on deck. Swift talking in Ger
man. Considerable temper on tho part Of
Mr.. Van Straaten. Penitent words from
Hans.
Mr. Greig," cried the old German,
"comc here directly. And Miss Norman.
Listen to this horrccblc man OF mine.
hat lost also my hatbox. 1 asked him
whore it is, and lie replies that he think
he blaze it by mistake in Mr.. Greig's Cab
in. Is it not SO, Hans?'
Sorrowful acknowledgement from tho
profusely pcnitent Hans. Mr.. Van Strait
en- raised his voice:
Then say to him. Is it possible that
you careless shcoundrel you blaccd also by
mistake the diamond box in Nj Grrin,s