The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-14

was engaged TO one of the village constables,
and understood, of course, that he would be
cte sen to guard them that night.
You can do as you like" she said indul-
gently. daresay it would be better. will
give you five shillings for the man, and see
that he has good supper"
Jane promised readily, and ran off as quick
ly as she could to write him line by the
butcher. She had always heard it was
good thing to have policeman for a sweet
heart, and now she began to understand why.
She was too excited over her own affairs to
gossip about her mistress, nevertheless be-
fore the evening the whole neighborhood
knew that the Rothbury diamonds had dis
appeared the night before and Dorothys
marriage was postponed.
Some said off" indeed, and hoped it might
be so, for Dorothy's great good fortune had
excited the envy of the whole neighborhood,
although she had borne her honors so meek
ly. But others had only pity for the girl, as
they knew she must be suffering in her love
as we'll as her pride
Whatever Lady Lessons faults might be
she was woman of both courage and re-
source and not once during that terrible day
did she allow herself to flag, either physically
or mentally. Directly the effect of the brandy
began to wear off, and she found herself
sinking into lower depths of despair than
ever. she sent to the kitchen for some strong
beer tea, and drank a glass of wine whilst
she was waiting.
She had almost to force these things down
her throat, but the spirit stronger than
the fiesh and she conquered. The conse-
quence was that, when the inspector of police
arrived just before noon. Lady Lesson went
down to receive him with dgnified calm, and
described the circumstances of her loss in
cold, emotionless voice.
rs there anyone in your household whom
you suspect, my lady?" he enquired 'You
need not fear to speak, for though I might
act on the information, it would never be
traced to you
II believe all my servants to be reliable"
she said; and quite incapable of such
crime as this
But they might have sweethearts, my.
lady, who were less scrupulous."
Yes, they might, of course, but the only
one who is engaged is Jane Russell, the par
lor maid, and her lover must be beyond sus-
picion since he belongs to the force"
Certainly, my lady, said the inspector,
who felt as if he had been too clever for once;
''but am bound to ask the question"
Lady Lesson acquiesced YEARLY. She was
longing for the man to go. and she dared not
hurry him.
you see, my lady" he went on. "our first
object will be to find out if there have been
any strangers round the house"
Lady Lesson started perceptibly.
And then to trace these strangers" the
inspector went on. .ftWhen once we've got
as far that we're all right +tsfsossa
The inspector had not gone so far hitherto
as Lady Lesson remembered, but, perhaps,
the cases in which he had been engaged
since coming to Bushworth were too trivial,
anO he had not put forth his powers. Now
it different, and if he could trace the
thieves who had stolen the Rothbury dia-
monds, it would bring him into notice at
headquarters, and do him a vast amount Of
professionally.
Therefore, he was likely to put forth all his
energies to attain this end, and the result
might surprise them all. Anyhow she had
to put the matter in his hands. Lord Roth
bury'S extraordinary conduct had left her no
other ahernative-the jewels must be found
His stern question: Have you asked Doro-
thy?" rang in her ears all the while, as also
his further statement that whatever had hap
pened was her fault because Dorothy had
not been the mistress of her own fate
Certainly she had been allowed to choose
because she had chosen well-but how should
he know this?
Dorothy had been frankly and honestly in
love with her fiancee, and he must have been
very obtuse If he had doubted the fact
She could not understand the tone he had
taken, but her eyes fired when she recalled
his insults to two defenceless women, as she
had reminded him. She had had a great re-
gard for Lord Rothbury once; now she hated
him with all her strength.
AS soon as she had got rid of the INSPECTOR
she made another attempt to see her daugh-
ter, and Dorothy herself opened the door
directly she knocked.
Her face was deathly pale, and she had
q deep shadows under her beautiful eyes that
gave them a very pathetic look, but She was
perfectly calm.
II want you to promise not to blame him.
mamma" she said, in grave. formal tone
There has been some terrible mistake of
course"
HE thinks we-or rather you-have stolen
the diamonds"
"oh. mammal" she exclaimed. the color
streaming over her face. "You must be mis-
takent'
HE told me to ask you where thew were
and when accused him of suspecting Won
he tnSinuated that he had no need to susDect