The Red Cloud chief., 1901-12-06
The Diamond Bracelet
BY MRS. HENRY WOOD.
Author Of East Lynne. Etc.
Author Of East Lynne. Etc.

\ uNhhcsS anu StTdnScueSS VI tHe dCtioii
"Clcverly DONE" quoth Gerard, wher
he could get his breath. II saw f;
shark after me. Thomas. and had t.
make a bolt for II. Your having beer
at the door saved me-"
Thomas turned pale.
Mr.. Gerard. you have locked 1t, ant
I'll put mp the chain, il you order me
but I'm afeared it's going agin the Law
to keep Il them detectives by force o.
arms
What's the mans head running on
now?' returned Gerard. There ar,
no detectives after me; It was only q
seedy sherifY's officer. Pshaw. Thorn.
as! there's no worse crime attached tc
me than a slight suspicion of debt"
I'm sure ! trust not, sir; only mas.
ter will have his W way"
rs he at hone?"
Hes gone to the opera with my
lady. The young ladies are upstairs
alone. Miss Seaton has been i'll. sir
ever since the bother. and Lady Fran
ces Is staying at home with her"
IN go up and sec them. II they
are at the opera, We shall he snug and
safe"
oh, Mr.. Gerard, had you better 20
up, do you Think" the man ventured
to remark. IF the Colonel should
come to hear of it"
How can he? You are not going
to tell him, and ] am sure they will
not. Besides, there's no help for IL:
l can't go out again for hours. And,
Thomas. IL any demon should knock
and ask for me. I am gone toto an
evening party up at Putney: went out
you know by the side door"
Thomas watched him run up the
stairs. and shook his head. 'One can't
help liking him. with 1t all; though
where could the bracelet have gone
to II he did not take it?"
The drawing rooms were empty. and
Gerard made his way to a small room
that Lady Sarah called her "bordoir."
There they wcro-Alice buried in the
pillows of an invalid's chair, and Lady
Frances %careening about the room, ap-
parently practicing some new dancing
step. She did not see him: Gerard
danced up TO her. and took her hand,
and joined in 1t.
When the eats way the mice can
play" cried Gerard, treating them to Il
step.
Mr.. Hope demonstrated Alice. lift
Ing her feeble voice, how can you in
dulge these spirits while things are so
miserable?"
Signing and groaning won't make
them light" he answered. sitting down
on a sofa near to Alice. Here's a seat
for YOU. Fanny, come along" he added,
pulling Frances to his side. First
and foremost. has anything come to
light about that my sterious br~acelet?"
Not yet" sighed Alice. But |
It,"
Fear" uttered Gerard in astonish-
ment. Alice WINGED and leaned her
head upon her hand: she spoke in Il
low tone.
You must understand what ! mean,
Mr.. Hope. The affair has been pro-
ductivc of so much pain and annoy
ance to ME. that ! wish 1t could be ig-
nored forever"
Though 1t left me under n cloud"
said Gerard. "YOu must pardon me II
| cannot agree with you. My constant
hope is that 1t may all cone to day
light; | sur you | have specially
mentioned ii in my prayers"
Pray don't. Mr.. Hope" reproved
Alice.
I'm sure ! have cause to mention It,
for 1t Is sending me into exile; that
and other things"
1T is guilty only who flee. not the
innocent" said Frances. you don't
mean what you say, Gerard"
Don't |! There's a certain boat adj
vertised to steam from London bridge
wharf tomorrow. wind and weather
permitting, and 1t steams ME with 1t.
! am compelled to ny my country"
BE serious and say what you
mean"
Seriously, then. ] am over head and
ears in debt. You know my uncle
stopped my allowance In the spring
and sent Observation-Disclosures the
dogs. | had a few liabilities. aud they
have all come down upon me. But for
this COMPOUNDED bracelet affsir, there's
no doubt the Colonel would have set
tied them; rather than let the name of
Hope he obviously banded by the
public; he would have expended his
Ire in growls and have gone and done
1t. But that Is over now, and | go t O
take up my abode In some renowned
colony for desolate English, beyond
the pale OF English lock-ups. Bou-
logne or Calais. or Dieppe or Brussels
| may see; and there ! may he kept for
years"
Neither OF the young ladies answered
Immediately; they saw the facts were
serious. and that Gerard was only
making light OF 1t before them.
How shall you live?" questioned
Alice. you must live there as well
ms k.r.. x.n,. .n..0 aN,