The herald., 1896-02-27
copyright 1895. by Bachellsr. johnson B.eh.ll.r,

Copyright 1896, by Bacheller, johnson Bachsler.)
SYNOPSIS.
Richard Morley is commissioned with the
sale of a very valuable necklace. He
sails for London on the steamer Venice"
carrying with him the necklace in an in
side vest pocket. There is on board, recon-
mended to the captains care, very at
tractive young lady. On the third day out
Morley protects her from an apparently in
territorial rudeness on the part of villain
Gus looking second cabin passenger, at
sight of whom the girl shows agitation.
Morley falls in love with the girl, Made
line Perrine, by name, tells her about his
errand, and proposes to her, while leaning
over the rail dividing the first and second
cabin decks. She does not answer, but
urges him forward to the cabin. That even
ing she accepts him, and gives him her
portrait which she places in his inside vest
pocket. Morley strolls back to the second
cabin rail. While musiug there, the Sec
ond cabin passenger falls rudely against
him, and pulls him about. On retiring he
misses his diamond necklace, and his sus-
picions rest first on the second cabin pas
senger. then involuntarily on Madeline.
He puts the latter suspicion aside, and in
forms the captain, who summons all on
board to be searched the next morning,
meanwhile detailing men to search the
state rooms. While the search is going
on. it is announced that the necklace has
his loss. He observes that she faints when
the announcement is made, and presumes
that it is because of Joy at the finding OF
the jewels. He sees that she is cared for.
Soon after. the captain takes him to her,
and tells him in her presence that the jew
eys have been found concealed in her state
room. Madeline declares her innocence, but
refuses an explanation which she ac-
knowledges she Is able to make. The cap
tain declares her guilty, but Morley re-
tains his faith. He suspects some mystery
connected with the second cabin passen-
ger, and persuades the captain, against
the latter's will, to take the former by
surprise, and accuse him of the theft. The
second cabin passenger is brought before
the captain and Morley, and at first shows
signs of trepidation, but denies the crime,
and maintains a bold front. He loses his
temper, however, and abuses the captain
who locks him up. The captain is highly
incensed and repeats his belief in Made
lines guilt whom he proposes to keep sep
arated from Morley during the rest Of the
voyage.
PART Ill.,
Once outside the captains room Morley
thought that it might be his last chance
to see Madeline. He knew that the cap
tain had not yet given orders for her
confinement and he knew that after his
visit of the morning it would occasion no
surprise among the attendants if he ran
down to her cabin for a moment He
made his way to her without delay. He
found her worn out by weeping and very
pale. She met him with a look which
asked question and the eagerness Of her
face showed how momentous that ques-
tion's answer was to her. Had he turned
away from her? Did he now believe her
guilty? He answered without words. The
firm clasp of his strong arms about her
sob-shaken body was all the assurance
that she needed.
Madeline" he said, after this fervent
greeting, you must speak"
"I cannot"
Her voice did not shake as she said the
words. 1t was steadied by determination.
Again he begged her, fmplored her.
Again she denied him. At last she whis-
pered sadly:
"DicE, dear Dick, how much more must
my silence mean to me than it can posi-
bly, mean to you. Do not urge me. Moth
ing can shake my resolve. If it drags me
to disgrace and ruin, SO be it. That is bet
ter than it would be were / to disgrace
and ruin others whom I love, by clearing
myself of this terrible charge"
Morley started. Here was a new element
introduced into the maze. In a fash he
realized that nothing but the spirit of self
sacrifice which reaches its highest devel-
opment in woman, could induce this girl
person the loftiest elements of pure and