Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-09-15
Continued.

That" cried Davis, Selling it
that belongs 20 my mistress. Oh,
then she is in the grounds, after
ALI"
And, my lord. Chelmick desired
me 10 tell you that Count Jura has
gone away. He has not slept IN
his room, and his luggage has disa3
! pcared. took your message TO
him this morning, but could not open
! his door. il was"
Gone! Jura gone!" repeated Roy
blankly. passing his hand over his
eyes. "Mother-Valerle! what does
II mean?"
/ Valerie pushed the servants from
the room. and shut the door.
1T MEANS" she answered delibcr-
ately, that you have been robbed,
! aud that they have fed together"
I "Valerie!" cried Lady Darrell.
You lte!" said Roy In husky tones,
/ Valerie turned away and buried her
/ face In her hands--iu reality to hide
the triumph that was cleaning on
1t. The earl approached her.
Valerie, forgive me! don't know
what | am saying or doing, ! think
| am mad hut this is too horrible-it
cannot be true!"
/ Question them further, Roy" his
mother murmured. The shock was
| 81 great to her pride and honor, she
J looned almost Ill.
I The earl hastily opened the door,
| Mason, go at once, and see II It
be correct about the count; there
/ may be some mistake. Davis. come
/ here. Now tell me all that occurred
when You were w tn the countess
! last night"
The maid complied, and went
over all that had happened.
You took all her Jewels off, you
say" Valerie interrupted quietly
though her hands were trembling,
land put them away"
No; her ladyship did that.
Then you carried the diamonds
back to the care of the butler?"
Davis looked round suddenly.
NO miss; | left them here. My
lady said she would put them away
a d.
They are gone, tCo," finished
! Valerie quietly Come, dear Lady
Darrell, there is no more to be said;
you know the worst now"
Lady Darrell put her hand on
Valerie's arm. and turned away
wl.n bent head and dropping limbs,
The earl watched them go, then
sank ON to a couch and covered his
/ face with his hands. All was too
conclusive; the evidence was damn
ing against Alice,
Alice, his sweet dream~love, his
wife, had fed she was thief. and
traitress! AS yet he could not
comprehend 1t. and strongest in his
pain was the feeling that she was
gone from him for yes, over
though her guilt seemed so evident,
he loved her still.
He sat for many minutes, then
rose with. groan and strobe down
the corridor, unconscious that a
woman's eyes were following him
hungrily and eagerly.
"All works WELL" murmured
Valerie, from her hiding-place, "She
Is lost now; their pride will condemn
her as a thief. 1t was a good thought
on Jura's part to take the diamonds,
but | don't quite understand about
the plate; she had no share In that.
| Could Jura be indeed a" she
stopped, then q thought came to her.
HE mentioned Paul; now I see Il
clearly. Jura is no count; they are
ieagued together. What II the girl
discovers Paul to be my brother She
may return and tell ALL" She threw
a terrified glance around, then a
smile came. mo, ] am weak and
foolish. He swore they should neither
OF them cross my path. lie has the
girl he loves. He will trouble me
no more"
CHAPTER X.
Going out again. Frank. in this
weather."
Frank Meredith laughed.
Il expect you think me MAD,
Geof?" he answered his friend,
Godfrey Armistead; but shall re-
turn 30 soon TO dingy smoky London
| want to get all the air ! can"
The two young men were in the
smoking-room OF the Grange, Geof-
rey Armistead's country house.
81 shall be sorry to lCse you, old
fellow" went on Mr. Armistead; but
I shall follow you soon, remember
so look out for me"
Frank nodded.
why are you not more Bociable
with your neIghbors. Geof?" he sad
after pause. You go nowhere"
~ don't care for any OF them. The
people ! like are the Darrells. But
I don't SEQ much OF them now, be
cause they have woman staying
with them / hate with all my ftart
Valerie Ross"
rs that why you refused to 20 y
that dinner the night before last?'
Mr.. Arnlstead nodded.
"She is no good. cannot bear
her 7 knew her brother though II