Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-05-09

den.
Il will go, and perhaps Doctor Weldon
will accompany me- replied Winton, "but
your prolonged absence will be remarked.
You had better show yourself"
Il am with your cried the doctor, who
had tied large silk pocket handkerchief
| over his head as a measure of precaution.
"And you, Captain Shirley?"
II shall return to the house. 1t seems
hopeless and fruitless to search further.
My impression is that the jewels are ire
parably lost. They will be out of their
settings by tomorrow and can never be
| identified"
'Still we must do our BEST" said Mars
| den. ''Come, We'll get a glass of cham
payne and hear how Mrs. Ruthven is"
| The announcement of supper gave every
| one sufficient and agreeable occupation,
SO the absence of the host was but little
| remarked.
Meantime, Mrs. LEstrange and Nora
had gone upstairs to Lady Dorrington's
room to gain news of Mrs. Ruthven's con-
dition, and to keep out of the way, as the
nerves of both had been good deal
shaken.
Darlington, coming to join them. "She
| had another fit of hysterical crying, which
! has relieved her. My maid and her own
| will sit by her oil night in turns, SO she
will never find herself alone. [ have just
seen Clifford. who was going to wash
| and brush away the traces of his search
in the shrubbery. They found a mask, IL
cloak and a long, sharp knife"
"a knifev' echoed Nora and her step
| mother with a shudder.
1--WE had better go downstairs. They
have gone in to supper, and l must say /
feel the want of something dreadfully. I
am quite exhausted, and so inf.itely dis
tressed about this horrid business; do
come, Mrs. L'Estrange."
In the hall they met Winton, who had
just returned with DIR. Weldon. They
had found the Oldbridge gate securely
locked, and no traces of footsteps. The
daring robber seemed to have vanished
| as mysteriously as he came.
"That is not to be wondered at consid-
ering the number of persons moving about
on such a night" continued Winton. ''The
scoundrel had only to be cool and leisure
| ly and he might have walked through the
whole array of guests and servants.
"It gives one a frightful feeling of inse
| curity'' said Mrs. L Estrange.
'"There is no cause for fear now,' said
| Winton. "The robber has secured his
| booty He will keep his distance. You
| look so scared that [ would advise sup
| per and champagne
"And | am glad to confirm Mr.. Winton's
| advice" said DR.. Weldon. Come, my
| dear madame" offering his arm to Mrs.
| L'Estrange.
! Permit me, Lady Dorrington,' said
| Winton, following his example, land Miss
| L'Estrange."
Il can take care of you, Nora,'' inter
| rupted Marsden, who came up at that
moment and he drew her hand through
his arm. ''Why, what pale cheeks! l
| thought you were plucky grill!
| "You are pale enough yourself, squire,
| and no wonder Imagine if that dreadful
man had used his knifer'
'Ck, we'll, he did not! I suspect he only
| had it to cut his way into the tent. | hope
| there are a lot of accomplices; that is our
only chance of recovering the jewels; 9th
| erwise Winton fears there is very little
| prospect of doing So" Here he stopped
| suddenly, and drew his companion behind
| a group of palms close to the door of the
| supper room, as the Marchioness Of
| Blankford came forth in earnest CONVERSE
| ton with Lord Darlington.
Il am not going to be caught" he whis-
| pered, as he again pressed on to the sup
per room, until you have given me that
waltz have been looking forward to
| through all this unfortunate business.
Come what may after, | am determined to
| snatch one bit of enjoyment. Give me
| some champagne" he cried to one of his
| own servants, who were stationed at the
principal table, where the older and
weichtier guests were to be feasted; he
held out q tumbler which he emptied at
| a draught, to Nora's surprise, then he in
sisted on her taking some, and pressed
her to eat, with great solicitude.
at seems rather heartless to go and
dance, after seeing poor Mrs. Ruthven in
such a state, her beautiful jewels torn
from her!
Nonsense" returned Marsden, abrupt.
ly. ''she is rich enough to buy others. A
true woman, | mean a true-hearted Wom-
an. which is another thing, would not be
inconsolable for the loss of a hundred
such baubles. 1t would not injure health
or reputation or affections. You would
not care if you lost all the diamonds of
Golconda provided those you love We're
left YOU: that is. if you loved any one?'
Nora looked at him with a vague feel
ing of alarm. His white face and flash
ing ewes struck her unusual. She had
been accustomed to look upon him as {;
near kinsman, a contemporary of her
fathers, the friendly head of her house.
Now. a sudden revelation flashed upon
her that, although considerably her senior
in wears. he was as young, as full to the
Inns with life. as hersef-that he was
something to be guarded against-why,
she did not know, nay, she would have
Indignantly denied the existence of such
an instinct. had she been accused of it. So
she put her hand on his arm. and giided
away with him, to the undulating music
Of the Manola Waltz.
Presently she said ''Ston-stop! and
Marsaen brought her up, skiilfully, near
the recess of Il window.
what is the matter? Are you tired !:
NO, but I DO not want to dance any
more. | was sure You We're taking too
auch champagne. squirer' looking
=