Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-15

Eight tousand bounds worth all gone.
| must know now quickly who has
stolen them alretty."
Any suspicion:" asked the captain.
Il am not SO sure. | am not SO sure
anybody on board seen them
Won person only. Mr.. Greig. if you
please come here. l show you my
precious diamonds. amt ii, we days
after we leave Calcutta:"
That is So said Greig cheerfully.
And very magnificent diamonds they
were. l remember telling YOU that |
wished n or two were mine then, so
that | might give them To-
He stopped.
Il suppose we shall have TO search
the cabins" said the captain of the
Bengal. It's Il fearful nuisance. Ia
dies and gentlemen. but it can't be
helped. May We begin with yours.
Mr.. Gregg
Il really don't know" protested
Greig. why | should have my cabin
upset and turned out just becausc='
Il desire that Mr.. Greig'S cabin
should be searched" said Mr.. Van
Straaten inSistently.
That settles it, them said Henry
Greig. carelcssly. Fire away. I'll
come down with YOU"
The crowd went below and stood in
the corridor, while tine examination was
progressing. Elsie Norman. hearing
the noise. left her aunt and. rather
red at eyes. came forward. The cap
tain. Mr.. Van Straaten. the chief stew
ard and Henry Greig ~reappeared ut the
door of the cabin. The old German
bore a leather case very carefully III
his arms.
The diamonds have been found
answered the captain of the Bengal.
seriously. I'VE shall not have to trou-
Bile you. ladies and gentlemen"
They were only ordinary folk. rather
bored by the tediousness of the jour
ney from Calcutta and they could not
help showing Il certain relish over the
diversion.
Most painful. really"
Case found under the pillow in the
berth"
Seemed such an honest fellow. too"
MY dear" said Mrs. Renton. bitter
ly. lit doesn't do to trust anyone now
adays. You never knew who's who"
But you'd think really on n T.. & o.
Steamship
I'm sorry for that poor Miss Nor
She vas engaged To him, you
know"
'Oh. that's broken off quite definite
ly. | heard her telling the old German
so. The old fellow asked her what was
the matter and she told him. He was
Il partner of her fathers, YOU know.
and he seemed much concerned about
it. You see. dear, l wasn't exactly
listening. but"
But you heard. dear-that's The
main point. Come into my cabin and
see my new serge Dress
They went aft, leaving GreiS at the
door of his cabin. He was holding the
sides to prevent himself from falling.
Other passengers went past his cabin.
keeping carefully to the other side of
the narrow corridor. Not of them
spoke to him, but they all spoke to
each other.
What does this mcan?" cried Henry
Greig. do they all suspect me Of"
Harry"
a soft. white hand was laid on his
arm with Il kindly pressure. He turned
and seized it gladly.
Elsie, Aren't you, too, going to
follow them!"
Tell me first what it 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 Il thing like that
Well" said Greig, uneasily. they
found the things there, you see. It's
circumstantial evidence of rather an
awkward kind. But l needn't tell you,
Miss Norman"
My name is still Elsie
MY dear girl. | needn't tell you |
should not dream of taking poor old
Van S%traaten's diamonds, or anybody
~else's."
Il am quite sure of that. Harry. l
must see him about it." She repinned
her straw hat with Il decided air. I'VE
two must stand together 10Y what
eve happens"
Elsie. hadn't you better let me fight
it 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
this morning. / was quite wrong"
$50 was l." said Greig, promptly.
A man has no business to kiss Il girl
as she is ascending the gangway Of
n L. & D. steamship. 1t has been
done, no doubt, on more than II Occa-
sion. but it is nearly always an act to
be condemned by right thinking people
who have not had the chance of COM
hitting the crime. Nevertheless, if it
is ut any time to be pardOned it was in
the instance ut present in question.
But" said the astOnished Mrs. Rem
ton to her companion, 81 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