Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-05-28
(Continued.)

~ name of the person into whose
IDS Rene had directed her to place
a. towel case. She had had no sus-
oIcon that it was Madeline's father.
p,t she saw now that Rene had plan
~ The affair very carefully. He
Nod himself suggested that she should
~ some cloak or garment belonging
"a Madeline and that 1t might be easy
N affix suspicion ON her. He had left
constance when they were few yards
,,,no the house and had direct ed her to
yiya the jewels to the man whom she
uould find near the shrubbery gate and
with whom she would exchange a pass
word. In this way he had provided for
mis- own safety--in case he were seen
~ folowed-and had implicated Oscar
Daspard and Madeline.
oHe is certainly very clever" thought
Constance with a sarcastic little smile.
Then she lifted her eyes to see what
eAect this announcement had had up
on Madeline.
The girl looked ready to faint.
Then she sprang up Indignantly and
would have spoken had not Lady Ste
yepage laid OBTAINING hand upon her
arm.
Contain yourself my dear" said the
countess, not unkindly. You had
better hear Lady Esler out. Nothing
YOU can do or say will alter the fact
she has told YOU
mo. no. But 1t was not my father
he would never do that" walled Mad
cline sinking back in her chair again
and hiding her face in her hands
4 fear there is very little your father
would not do if he had the oppor-
unity, said Lady Esler, dryly. How
ever YOU must now listen to our de-
clsion 1t is as plain as possible that
YOU took the jewels and handed them
over to your father. You had better
confess the truth and beg for mercy
prison is not very pleasant place,
believe. Throw yourself on our pity
and We will not be hard on you.
Tell the truth, child" said Lady
Sewerage, in Madeline's ear Il will
stand by you if you do. No doubt you
were tempted and over persuaded by
that disreputable father of yours.
Make clean breast of it,"
4 have not seen my father" said
Madeline, steadily, since he left me at
Miss Joyee's six years ago. | have
nothing to tell-nothing to confess"
There was a moments silence. The
three elders of the party looked at each
other as if they had not obtained the
result they expected and Lord Esler
spoke for the first time, in an injured,
trettul tone.
DO get the matter over, Selma. We
are wasting great deal of time on
this wretched girl and her concerns.
After all, the loss might have been
greater than it is.
Ny husband refers" said Lady Es-
Ter, TO fact which has come to my
knowledge only Within the last hour or
two 1t is proyidential circumstances
that my maid, without my knowledge,
changed the position OF the jewel cases.
Therefore, as it happens, the case that
was taken by Madeline Despard and
handed 10 her father" = Madeline made
hssty movement, but Lady Esler
lowed on undisturbed-" not con-
ain the rubies ait all, but set of very
Inferior garnets."
Constance sat up erect, open-eyed.
She had not been told this fact before.
Sae turned from red to white. from
White 10 red; but nobody noticed her,
except Lady Sewerage, whose quick
Wis We're on the alert. Madeline on
he contrary looked as If the news did
lol affect her in the slightest degree.
Now, that is odd" said Lady Stew
eaage 70 herself. IF this girl had
aSen the wrong case she would surely
oe'Ia. some feeling either of dismay
relief, whereas all the emotion
NAleh She ought to show is concen-
9atea in Gonstance's face. never did
Vlsi that young woman and | should
W. wonder If we found that she was
me bottom of it all"
nder these circumstances" said
ltR 1sler, Lord Esler and have de-
~uea not to prosecute. The whole
'DfE Is 80 disgracefula crime COM
anlyt
indeed have not committed any
,nf said Madeline, passionately.
DFaF Lady Esler, do listen TO me. DO
slefe me. Indeed 1t is all mis-
'-p9 Esler waved her hand. II have
49, lutte enough; | will listen to
~'.alhg more, she said. my husband
'-1lfs With me, do you not, Richard,
saying that we do not mean TO
prseau.e2a
~ YES, yes; no prosecution; dis
80 the family" said Lord Esler.
s.3 Il the rubies were gone IL
,@ a be different matter. but we
AZ, prosecute for the garnets-oh,
M. eafe VOL. in fact, to your con-
said Lady Fslar ravar eIv