Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1895-08-30


in his arms.
"The diamonds have been found" an
nounced the captain of the Bengal seri-
ously. 1--WE shall not have to trouble you,
ladies and gentlemen.
They were only ordinary folk, rather
bored by the tediousness of the journey
from Calcutta and they could not help
showing certain relish over the diver
sion.
"Most painful affair, really"
Cease found under the pillow in the
berth
"Seemed such an honest fellow too"
"My dear said Mrs Renton bitterly,
at doesn't do To trust any one nowadays
You never know who's who"
"But you'd think really on a p. and o.
Steamship
"I'm sorry for that poor Miss Norman
She was engaged to him, you know"
"Oh, that's broken off quite definitely
l heard her telling the old German so The
old fellow asked her what was the matter,
and she told him He was partner Of
her fathers, you know, and he seemed
much concerned about it You see, dear
l wasn't exactly listening, but
But You heard dear-that's the main
point. Come into my cabin ard see my
new serge dress. "
They went aft, leaving Greig at the door
of his cabin He was holding the sides to
prevent himself from falling Other pas
sengcrs went past his cabin, keeping care
fully to the other side of the corridor Not
one of them spoke to him. but they all
spoke to each other
"What does this mcau." cried Henry
Greig Do they all suspect me-"
Harry"
A soft white hand on his arm with u
kindly pressure He turned and seized it
gladly.
"Elsie Aren'tyou, too. going to follow
them"
Tell me first what it all means"
1t did not take long to pat tha girl into
possession of the facts Her face famed
red with indignation
And they dare to think that you would
do IA thing like that?"
"Well, " said Greig uneasily, "thcy found
the things there, you see. It's circum
stantial evidence of rather an awkward
kind. But l needn't tell you. Miss Nor
man
MY name is still Elsie"
"My dear girl l needn't tell you that
1 shouldn't dream of taking poor old Van
Straaten's diamonds or anybody else S. "
Il am quite sure of that, Harry must
see him about it," She repinncd her straw
hat with "a decided air. 1--WE two must
stand together now whatever happens"
Elsie, hadn't you better let me fight it
out alone? The truth is nearly sure to
come out sooner or later, and
In the meantime dear, you will have
to forget our stupid quarrel of this morn
ing. l was quite wrong"
=" So was |, d" said Greig promptly.
A man has no business to kiss girl as
she is ascending the gangway of p and
o. steamship. 1t has been done, no doubt,
on more than one occasion, but it is nearly
always an act to be condemned by right
thinking people who have not had the
chance of committing the crime Never
theless if it is at any time to be pardoned
it was IL the instance in question.
But, said the astonished Mrs. Renton
to her companion, Il thought you said
my dear, that their engagement was all
off "
she certainly said So Why she should
be so afTectonate with him now after this
scandalous affair goodness 6Sly knows"
'Ah, my dear, girls are queer creatures. "
There were a few hours Of mixed feelings
for Mr.. Greig of the Eastern bank. 1t was
him, to watch the looks cast at him by the
passengers, to observe Mr. Van Straaten's
almost comic appearance of injury. On
the other hand, it was delightful to feel
that close to him in this time of stress as
he sat on deck or strolled up and down
was cheerful young person in her very
best spirits. The bay meanwhile sympa-
thetically behaved in manner quite ex-
emplary.
Il am asdonished, my tear" said Mr..
Van Straaten severely that you should
be friently with Mr.. Greig after what has
habbened alretty. l strongly advise you
to give him up. You dold me you had de-
cided"-
I've changed my mind" she said def
nitcly. Women folk are not good at a lot
of things, but we do know how to change
our minds.
Mr.. Van Straaten lifted his hat and
turned away. The old gentleman when he
was few PAGES off seemed agitated, so
much so that he had to pat his eyes gen
tly with his scarlet handkerchief He
called to one of the sailors:
"Dell my man Hans to come up in
stantly."
Much commotion soon after the appear
ance of the stolid faced Hans. A rush to-
ward that part Of the ship by all the pas
sengers on deck. Swift talking in Ger
man. Considerable temper on the part OF
Mr.. Van Straaten. Penitent words from
Hans.
"Mr. Grcig," cried the old German,
leone here directly. And Miss Norman
Listen to this horreebe man of mine. l
hat lost also my hatbox. l asked him
where it is, and he replies that he think
he blaze it by mistake in Mr.. Greig's CAB
in. Is 1t not SO, Hans?"
Sorrowful acknowledgement from the
profusely penitent Hans Mr.. Van STRAIT
en- raised his voice:
"Then l say TO him, Is it possible that
you careless shcoundrel you placed also by
mistake the diamond box in Mr.. Greig's
cabiny And he say, Yes. "
Quite noisy cheering from the assem-
bled passengers. - pressing forward to
congratulate Grcig. He, delighted beyond
expression, turned to Elsie Norman.
You don't repent being counsel for my
defense, young Portia?"
You are just the client like"
And respecting this morning" said
Groig