The Washington weekly post., 1899-05-23
CHAPTER IL

CHAPTER II.
Ellen Vishn0ger did rot like Eva Deni-
son, but 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 end his sister had ten min
utes' talk together. he said that Mrs. Den-
ison's mother, Mrs. Carew, was a charm
ing old lady-so simple, so unsOphisticat-
ed. II understand that she leaves all
business matters 10 her daughter" And
ne implied that the result had been much
10 her advantage.
Her daughter, by the way, clever
though she is, seems TO me to have some
thing Of her mothers simplicity"
Something of her mothers whatT 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. Den
ison has brought here for stay of one
month";"
"Of course notr'
L
woman dresses to attract the man. That
she can do as a rule in a three guinea
costume out of the Edgware Road. Mrs.
Denison dresses for the experts-the
women; the people who really know. She
wants TO make US gnash our teeth, and
she does II. She will not be able TO wear
half the dresses she has brought with
her. She won't have the time. And they
are all of them absolutely perfect. She
is as vain as a peacock and as extrava-
CANT as a Jubilee plunger; and, speaking
for myself. l cannot see where her
beauty is"
"Well, l can" said Charles ''As for
the vanity, / doubt it,"
GO on" said Ellen, keep on doubt
ing 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: u know
dyed hair. ! couldn't be mistaken about
that. / must say / should like TO see her
get check. She will cut us all out at the
dance with her diamonds. There are none
like them in the house, and / doubt if
there are any in the county. / do wish TO
goodness somebody would steal them be-
fore the dance came off. l could almost
do it myself"
AT luncheon that day Charles brought
down a brown paper parcel, sealed with
the arms OF the Harston family, and
placed II before Mrs. Denison.
Il don't want these" she cried
they're much safer where they are But
/ must just have look at my little dar-
lings."
She stripped off the paper and opened
the morocco cases one after the other.
For moment she looked aghast. Then
she smiled
No good, Mr.. Vishnager. You very
nearly took me in, but not quite. I'm not
in the least distressed. You'n have 10
give them back sooner or later"
She laughed again, pushed the cases
aside, and took little sip at her wine
glass. Without q word Vishnager picked
up the cases and opened them one after
the other. Both were empty.
Il am sorry TO say" he said quietly.
that I'm not playing any joke at all
How II has happened l 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.
10 the best Of my knowledge. until
Seer he picked up the paper. Here are
the seals which you yourself affixed"
Yes" she said She looked a little bor-
rifed and distressed, but managed 10
smile. I'VE shall find them again. I
hope"
That" said Vishnager, 'fs a certainty
made myself responsible for their safe
keeping. and We shall undoubtedly get
them back. You must excuse me for a
moment CT two while / send a couple of
messages"
During the rest Of luncheon the eonver-
sation was naturally taken up with the
loss Of the diamonds. Many amateur de-
tectives proposed many astonishing the
ories. Vishnager himself suggested moth
ing at all.
After luncheon his sister came to him
in great perturbation.
This is awfulr' she said. How do you
think Il happened7'
AT present" he replied. 81 don't and
can't think how IL happened. But |
thought she bore her loss very well"
Certainly" said Ellen. Il should net
mind losing twenty thousand pounds
worth Of diamonds myself. II | knew
could get as much or more given back 10
ne by somebody who was responsible.
And that Is her idea and yours. Ii is not
my idea In the least. / can't see where
the responsibility comes in"
Il will explain IL later" said Vishnager
There in Just one thing / want you 10
me-" continued his sister. Don't
have the police in"
why nOt?"
1T makes such scandal Besides. ev-
cry one Of the servants would leave. And
these detectives never do any good"
I'm sorry" said Nishnager, but /
have sent for them already"
when she went away Charles tried not
10 reflect on the fact that his sister hai
always disliked Mrs DenisOn. had ex-
dressed wish 10 deprive MTs DenIson g.:
her diamonds, and was ROW anxious l.
he police should not 5e called In. He
not for one moment suppose that she r.
aiken the diamonds NiIh any intention oi
keeping them. He did not care even "a
suspect her or a vulgar practical ..oke.
However, he soon resssured himself. His