The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-03-26
THE THIEF.
At that time was engaged, and very

and loving solitude in an alarming man.
ner.
All this was offset by eyes 80 beautiful, |
by coloring so marvellous, by an express
sion so divine that had not the courage |
to reflect ON the singularity of her charac-
ter. l loved her, and often passed hours
of the night sitting before her doorstep,
simply dreaming "tbat she lived there"
and mcditating on her presence as does the
believer On the ransubstantiation.
did not know, in the first plnce, wheth
er she loved me or not; she always refused
to answer that question, referring to the
wishes of her parents and her confidence In
their wisdom. If insisted, she generally
ended by saying "that she knew nothing
about 1t, but that she felt no antipathy to-
ward me, and that, according to her ideas,
was enough to decide young girl on mar
riage" In vain l duplicated, in vain l
tried to animate this enigmatical being.
She remained as distant as the manner in
which she loved as unknown as she was
dominating.
One evening rs was dreaming little
sadly of these things alone on the terrace
of the Syrtes commotion was heard in
the house. l returned to the salon, where
everything was in disorder, my hosts were
distressed, their friends embarrassed and
troubled and old Nine Desparcs horribly
pale and trembling
"What in the world has happenedP' l
asked. They explained incoherently that
Nine. Desparcs diamonds were stolen-old
family diamonds of great value All the
servants had been summoned into an adj
joining room-in short, formal search
was to be instituted. An old gentleman,
M. de la Hestre had been unanimously Sc
lected to direct this investigation just as
l was entering, and his first proposition
was that every one submit, or rather offer
himself, to be searched. Although the thing
was rather offensive no one protested, and
twas decided that, after the servants, each
one present should be examined.
To tell the truth, all this seemed of small
Importance beside my personal cares, and
with several Others waited the end of the
adventure, while NJ. de la Hestre, his two
witnesses and our host began the inspec
ton of the domestics.
Very soon l fell again into my medita
ton, my eyes fixed on the fireplace, as
though there were fire, when suddenly
felt a touch on my elbow. l raised my
head with start, to see my flancee looking
at me most beseechngly. We were alone
near the fireside and could talk in low
tones without being overheard. She muir
INJURED very low:
"If you love me, arrange that they search
! you first; then try to be near me, and, with
/ out being seen, try to conceal the object
| that shall pass you from behind.
| My blood ran cold. This annoying Incl
dent became terrible, filling me with the
most passionate trouble. l looked at the
| girl in agony, but forced myself to smile
and whispered
| at shall be done as you wish
My knees trembled; my mouth was dry
| and hot. The feeling that overwhelmed
me was inexpressible. 1t was strange
minglng of bitterness and pleasure that
my loved one should be weak to such a de-
gree. forced myself to have a sort of dis
dainful pity, and in reality love beat ar.
dent strong, stern, in my breast. l under
stood in flash how beauty could become
divine above baseness of soul, how one
could respect it even in dshonor and II
hundred other things in which were con-
fused, fervent love- devotion without limit,
a desire noble and perverse.
Jeanne had thanked me with hardly
perceptible movement of the lips; she stood
by the wall with an air Of indifference and
pride:
"They are very long about itr' she said
suddenly an. de la Hester is man of
method, some one replied, and silence
followed which told more and more on
ones nerves, for even the waiting In a
peaceful frame of mind finishes by disturb.
Ing and emptying the brain like pump.
| However, the moment arrived when, the
searching of the servants ended, the door
opened, disclosing our host, the two wit
nesses and the old gentleman.
My heart heat furiously. felt myself
become terribly pale; but, concealing my
agitation and steadying my voice, 1 asked
to be searched first.
Nj. de la Hestre smiled at what he con.
sidered the within of II young man and pro
cecded methodically to my examination.
blushed, became pale, without any one
finding that peculiar under the circum
stances When it was over, l made two OF
three steps backward and l found myself
near Jeanne. She lowered her fan and
handed me something with GOODNESS that
was only equaled by my calmness in seiz
ing the object and placing it in pocket
Of my coat. After which leaned against
the fireplace, being now merely witness
and above all suspicion.
NJ. de la Hestre's search was unproduc
tive of results. There remained nothing
to do but to visit all the rooms and ther
inform the police.
Still my trouble of mind increased as
remained standing by the fireplace, My
brain was in whirl, and felt the crime
weigh on me as though 1 were indeed tht
thief
Jeanne at last came toward me witt
that undulating step of hers and gave mt
a look Of such passionate gratitude that il
almost seemed to scorch me. Then In al
imperative low tone she said:
'Do you still love me?''
did not hesitate / replied firmly:
eyes.
'In spite of all that have doneS''
'In spite of everything
"Will you marry met"
81 will marry you"
She enveloped me with the same look
still warmer and more lingering. fully
comprehend the power of woman above
all law, human or natural, drawn from
the fountain head and against which moth
Ing ought to prevail. '"."@
felt strangely happy In this equivoca
adventure, and could not throw off this
happiness for which / reproached mysel