The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-28
II.

Ellen Vishnager did not like Eva Denison,
bit Of this, since Ellen Vishnager was not
a particularly ill-bred woman, Mrs. Denison
was absolutely ignorant. So were most Of
the other occupants of the house, except
Vishnager himself. Once, when Charles
and his sister had ten minutes talk to-
gether, he said that Mrs. Denison's mother,
Mrs. Carew. was a charming old lady-so
simple, so unsophisticated. II understand
that she leaves all business matters to her
daughter" And he implied that the result
had been much to her advantage. Her
daughter. by the way, clever though she is,
seems to me to a something OF her
mothers simplicity"
Something of her mothers what?' ex-
claimed Ellen.
simplicity. Dresses simply. Doesn't
make a great show. like the rest of you"
You shouldn't talk about women" was
Ellen Vishnager's retort, you really
shouldn't. You don't know enough. Do you
know how many dresses Mrs. Denison has
brought here for a stay of one month";"
"Of course not!"
well, as it happens. 7 do. The average
woman dresses TO attract the men. That she
can do as a rule In a three-guinea costume
out of the Edgware road. Mrs. Denison
dresses IOr the eXpeTIS-ln6 WOMEN, the
people who really know. She wants to make
us gnash our teeth. and she does 1t. She will
not be able to wear half the dresses she
has brought will her. She won't have the
time. And they are all of them absolutely
perfect. She is as vain as a peacock and as
-extravagant as a jubilee p~lunger; and,
speaking for myself. 1 cannot see where
her beauty IS"
well, 1 can" said Charles. las for the
vanity, / doubt it"
Go on" said Ellen, keep on doubling.
She spends at least two-thirds Of the day
dressing. and she has spoiled what might
have been fairly pretty hair by dyeing 1t
the fashionable color"
Charles said that this was preposterous
nonsense. His sister continued: II know
dyed hair. / couldn't be mistaken about
that L must say I should like to see her
get a check. She will cut us all out at the
dance with her diamonds. There are none
like them in the house, and 1 doubt IL there
are any in the county. I do wish to goodness
| somebody would steal them before the
dance came of. / could almost do it my
self"
At luncheon that day Charles brought
down a brown paper parcel. sealed with the
arms of the Harston family. and placed 1T
before Mrs. Denison.
'I don't want these" she cried, they're
much safer where they are. But 1 must
| inst have a look at my little darlings."
She stripped off the paper and opened the
| morocco cases one after the other. For a
| moment she looked aghast. Then she smiled.
mo good, MIR. Vishnager. You very near
ly took me in, but not quite! I'm not In the
least distressed. You'll have to give them
back sooner or later.
She laughed again, pushed the cases aside
| and took a little sip at her wineglass. With
out a word Vishnager picked up the cases
and opened them one after the other. Both
were empty.
"I am sorry to say" he said quietly. that
I'm not playing any joke at all How 1t has
happened 1 cannot conceive. l took the
diamonds home in the parcel as you gave
them 10 me and placed them in my safe
myself. and they remained there, to the best
nj my knowledge, until 1 brought them down
70 YOU lust now. See!' he picked up the
| paper. Here are the seals which you your
self affixed"
yes" she said. She looked a little horri-
fed and distressed, but managed to smile
I'VE shall find them again, 1 hope"
That" said Vishnager, lis a certainty
I made myself responsible Tor their saie
keeping, and we shall undoubtedly get them
back. You must excuse me for a moment
or two while I send a couple Of messages"
During the rest OF luncheon the converse.
ton was naturally taken I'D with the loss
of the diamonds. Many amateur detectives
proposed many astonishing theories. Wish
mayer himself suggested nothing at all.
After luncheon his sister came to him ir
great perturbation
This is awfult' she said. How do YOU
think it happened?"
present." he replied. Il don't and
can't think how it happened. But 1 though
she bore her loss very we'll"
Certainly" said Ellen. Il should no
mind losing $4,000 worth of diamonds my
self IL knew 1 could get as much or mor'
given back to me by somebody who wa
responsible. And that is her idea and yours
1t is not my idea In the least / can't se'
where the responsibility comes in"
II will explain ii later" saic vlshnager.
There is just one thing 1 want you I,
promise me-" continued his sister. Don
have the police In"
why notT'
49, $780, e~an2al un~tA~~ -