The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-08-27

corridor WHILE aha. sxamination was pro-
crossing. Elsie Norman, hearing the Noise
left her aunt and. rather red at eyes, came
forward. The captain, Mr.. Van Straaten,
tho chief steward and Henry Greig reap
pcared at tho door of the cabin. The old
German bore leather case very carefully
In his arms.
"The diamonds have been found" an
nounced the captain Of the Bengal seri-
ously. "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 q certain relish over the diver
sion.
Most painful affair, really"
Cease found under the pillow in the
BERTH"
Seemed such On 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 p. and o.
Steamship
"I'm sorry for that poor Miss Norman.
She was engaged to him, you know"
"Oh, that's broken of quite definitely.
heard her telling the old German SO. The
old fellow asked her what was the matter,
and she told him. He was a partner Of
her fathers, you know, and he seemed
much concerned about it. You see, dear,
wasn't exactly listening, but
"But you heard, dear--that's the main
point. Come into my cabin and see my
now serge dress"
They went aft, leaving Grcig at the door
Of his cabin. He was holding the sides to
prevent himself from falling. Other pas
sengers 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 meant" cried Henry
Greig, edo they all suspect mef"
"Harryr'
A soft white hand on his arm with a
kindly pressure. he turned and seized 1t
gladly.
"Elsiei AREN'T you, too, going to follow
them2'
"Teli me first what IL all means"
1t did not take long to put the girl into
possession Of the facts. Her face famed
red with indignation.
"And they dare to think that you would
do thing like that2'
"Well, /" said Greig uneasily, "they found
the things there, you see. 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 grill i needn't tell you that
shouldn't dream of taking poor old Van
Straaten's diamonds or anybody else's."
II am quite sure OF that, Harry. must
see him about It," She repinned her straw
hat with o decided air. "We two must
stand together now whatever happens.
ELSIE, hadn't you better lot me fight 1t
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. was quite wrong"
$50 was /" said Greig promptly.
Aman has no business to kiss girl as
she is ascending the gangway Of a p. and
3 o. steamship. 1t has been done, no doubt,
on more than one occasion, but 1t Is nearly
always IN act to be condemned by right
thinking people who have not had the
chance Of committing the crime. Never
thelees II 1t is at any time to DO pardoned
1t was in the instance in question.
"But," said the astonished Mrs. Renton
to her companion, IT thought you said,
my dear, that their engagement was all
off,"
"She certainly said SO. Why she should
be so affectionate with him now after this
scandalous affair goodness only knows"
"Ah, my dear, girls arc queer creatures"
There were few hours Of mixed feelings
for Mr.. Greig of the Eastern bank. It was
terrible to feel this suspicion hanging over
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, 1t was delightful to feel
that close to him in this time Of stress as
he sat on deck or strollod up and down
was cheerful young person in her very
best spirits. The bay meanwhile sympa-
theticalIy behaved in o manner quito e1-
emplary.
81 am asdonished, my tear" said Mr..
Van Straaten severely, "that you should
be friently with Mr.. Greig after what has
habbened alretty. I strongly advise you
to give him up. You dold me you had de-
cided''-
"I've changed my mind, she said def
nitely. 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. Tho old gentleman when he
was q 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 connection 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. Greig," cried the old German,
"come here directly. And Miss Norman.
Listen to this horreeble man of mine.
haf lost also my hatbox. asked him
where 1t Is, and he replies that he think
he blaze 1t by mistake In Mr.. Greig's CAB.
in. Is It not SO, Hansf''
/ Sorrowful acknowledgment from the
profusely penitent Hans. Mr.. Van Strait
en- raised his voice: -
"Then i shy to him, is ii possible that
| you careless shooundrel you placed also by
mistake the diamond box in Mr.. Greig'a
cabine And he say, Yes"
Quite noisy cheering from the assem-.
bled passengers. A pressing forward to
congratulate Greig. He, delighted beyond
expression, turned to Elsie Norman.
"You don't repent being counsel for my
defense, young Portiaf"
"You are just the client libe"
"And respecting this morning." said
Greig.
"Sir, I do not respect this morning.
Let's look forward"
They walked forward.
dot was good driok Of mine, said
| Mr.. Van Straaten as he watched them.
He wiped his glasses carefully. ~ knew
1t would answer. was once, a long time