Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-05-14

that other persons in the room should
not hear,
''I'a. afraid there is. sir. There's
something missing upstairs-my lady's
jewels.
''Eh, a burglary"
II think 80, sir; but please do not say
anything about Ii at present. Her lady
ship is to make some private inquiries,
sir; we trust that the jewels may be
discovered"
Perhaps they are only mislaid'
My lady never mislays anything,
sir, said Greaver, in Quavering voice
of offended dignity; and Lancelot al
lowed him to retire, as no more i'm
formation could evidently be extracted
| fiom him.
Meanwhile Madeline had gone, rather
nervously, to Lady Esler's dressing
room Here she saw at once there
were signs of a storm Lady Esler was
purple with indignation; Constance was
white as death, but with yindictive,
triumphant CLEAN In her great dark
eyes. The room was in strange con-
fusion. Drawers were pulled out,
boxes opened, punches of keys lying on
the table Lady Esler was seated at a
table fronting the door. Constance
stood at her side.
ooh. here she is" cried Lady Esler
She was moved out of all quietude and
far beyond her worst. Come here. you
wicked, wicked girl, and tell me what
you have dome
Aunt Selma. said Cons.ance's voice,
low, sweet and distinct as ever, that
is not the way to set to work. Ask her
what she was doing here last night"
II was not here last night" said
Madeline
What does this mean them" asked
Lady Esler. pushing an embroidered
handkerchief toward her
ut is mine had 1t last night How
did 1t come here?'
How, indeed? 1t was found on the
floor this morning, at the foot Of my
bureau, where you evidently and most
proyidentially dropped it, when you
were in the room
But | was not in the ROOM" said
Madeline.
"Oh, Madeline, how can you?" sighed
Constance.
1t was too much. Madeline turned
upon her cousin with a vehemence
which astonished the listeners.
How can | speak the truth, do you
mean? You may well ask IT, have
kept silence too long. Now think
the time has come for me to speak
out"
"Oh, do, don' cried Constance, clasp
ing her hands and looking with an ex-
preston Of quite angelic pity at the
younger girl ''If you can tell us
everything, at least without injuring
others-or breaking promises
Her eyes were upon Madeline's face,
She saw the glow of life and resolution
firmly set, her face very white. She
had remembered her promise TO Con
stance and she could not speak without
breaking it. She had promised TO let
no one know of the relations between
Rene de Marsac and Constance. How
then could she accuse Constance of adj
hitting Rene to the house without
breaking her word?
Madeline's sense Of honor was very
strong. very delicate. Just as when
she was mere child she had preferred
to be beaten and scolded rather than
do dishonorahle thing; so now she
resolved to bear any Misrepresentation
any pain to herself, rather than betray
a trust. But she did not vet know
what she was to be called upon to
bear.
Madeline" said Lady Esler. solemn
~ II have done my best for you and
had hoped that you had profited by
the great kindness you have always re-
ceived. But 1t seems that You are In
nately bad Your fathers unhappy
traits repeat themselves In You"
please say what you have to say
without alluding to my father" said
Madeline, steadily
You were seen here last night"
Madeline's indignant denial passed
UNDECIDED.
Two persons saw you and asked
what you were doing here You re-
fused to reply Was that not suspi-
cious In itself?"
Il was in the corridor because
thought heard noises" said Madeline
breathlessly.
''It is easy to say so. You were seen
in the garden also, wrapped in your
cloak-with the hood"
ITO be Continued)