The Red Cloud chief., 1901-12-13

rage when she sees IL, for II wa new
tonight"
Gerard Hope shook hands with lady
Frances. and Mr.. Netherieigh, who
had a word OF direction to give him.
walked with him into the hall. Az
they stood there. who should enter
but Colonel Hope. Gerard's uncle. He
started back when he saw Gerard.
"C-a-can I believe my senses7"
suffered he. "Mr. Netherleigh, is no
one of your guests?'
He Is here on business" was the
merchants reply. Pass on, Colonel"
No. sir, I will not pass on" cried
the enraged Colonel. who had no,
rightly caught the word business. "Or
II do pass on. 1t will only DO to warn
your guests to take care of their jew
elry. No. sir" he added, turning to
his nephew, you can come back, can
you, when the proceeds OF your theft
Is spent! You have been starring IL
In Calais. hear; how long did the
bracelet last o to live upon?"
Sir answered Gerard, with a pale
face, 1t has been starving rather than
starring. | asserted my Innocence at
the time. Colonel Hope, and I repeat
II now"
"Innocence!" ironically repeated the
Colonel, turning to all sides of the
hall, as n he took delight In paradins
the details OF the unfortunate past.
The trinkets were spread on a table
In Lady Sarah's own house. You came
stealthily into it-after being forbid
den 1t for another fault-went STEALTH
lily into the room, and the next min
ute the diamond bracelet was missing.
1t was owing to my COMPOUNDED folly
In listening to q parcel Of women that
! did not bring you to trial at the
time; / have only once regretted not
doing 1t, and that has been ever since.
A little wholesome correction at the
penitentiary might have made an hon
est man OF you. Goodnight. Mr.. Meth
erleigh! n you encourage him in your 4
house, you don't have me-"
Now another gentleman had entered
M heard this; some servants also
heard 1t, Colonel Hope, who firmly
believed In his ~nephew's guilt, turned
of peppery and Indignant; and Ger
ard. giving vent to sundry u%nnephew-
like expletives. strobe after him. The
Colonel made a dash into q street cab
n Gerard walked towards the city. =
Lady Frances Chenevix, her dress
right again. at least to appearance,
was sitting to get her breath after a
whirling waltz. Next to her sat a
lady who had also been whirlinw
Frances did not know her.
You are quite exhausted; we kept
It up too long," said the cavalier IN
attendance on the stranger. What
can l get for you?"
MY fan; there Il Is. Thank you.
Nothing else
What an Old creature to dance
hersef down. thought Frances.
She's 40. II she's a day"
The lady opened her fan and pro-
ceeded to use 1t, the diamonds of her
rich bracelet cleaned right in the eyes
OF Lady Frances Chenevix. Frances
looked at 1t and started, she strained
her eyes and looked again; she bent
nearer to II and became agitated
with her emotion. II her recollection
did not play her false, that was the
lost bracelet.
She discerned her sister. Lady Adela
Netherleigh. and glided up 10 her.
"Adela. who Is that lady,' she
asked pointing to the stranger.
II don't know who she is" replied
Lady Adela. carelessly. Il did not
catch the name They came with the
Cadogans.'
The idea of your having people I'm
your house that you don't know" in
dignantly spoke Frances, who was
working herself into a fever. where's
Sarah, do you know that?"
In the card room, glued to the
whist table,
Lady Sarah. however, had ungIued
herself. for Frances only turned from
Lady Adela to encourage her.
II do believe your lost bracelet IL
In the room," she whispered In aglta-
tfon. Il think | have seen it,
"lmpossible!' responded Lady Sarah
Hope.
. TN lao ,I