Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-02-21
CHAPTER Ix-(Continued.)

nIied Lazy NSdIdu. IlOW tloc w ySo
account for its disappearance"
Il believe there must be some
misapprehension, some great mistake
in the affair altogether, Lady Sarah. 1t
apears ncomprehensible now, but it
will be unraveled."
cay. and in double-quick time"
vrathfully exclaimed the Colonel.
,"You must think you are talking to
mack of idiots, Master Garard. Here
the bracelets was spread temptingly
out on table, you went into the
room, being hard up for money, I'M
eered it, wished for it, and both you
and the bracelet disappeared. Sir
turning sharply to the of1icer-"did
clearer case ever go before a jury?"
Gerard Hope bit his lip. BE more
,ust, Colonel said he. "Your own
brothers. son steal a bracelet"
"And 1 am happy my brother is not
alive to know it," rejoined the Colonel
in an obstinate tone. take him in
hand, Mr.. Officer; We'll go to MARI
borough street. I'll just change my
coat, and"
mo, no, you will mott" cried Lady
sarah, laying hold OF the dressing
gown and the Colonel in it; ''you shall
not 20 nor Gerard either. Whether
he is guilty or not, it must not be
brought against him publicly. He
bears your name, Colonel, and so do I,
and it would reflect disgrace on us all"
perhaps you are made of money,
nv lady. If so, you may put up with
the loss of a $3.50 bracelet. l don't
choose to do So"
Then, Colonel, you will, and you
must. Sir" added Lady Sarah to the
detective, eve are obliged to you for
your attendance and advice, but it
turns out to be family affair as you
perceive, and we must decline to
prosecute. Besides, Mr.. Hope may not
be guilty"
Alice rose and stood before Colonel
Hope. "Sir, if this charge were pre-
ferred against your nephew, If 1t came
to trial, I think it would kill me. You
know my unfortunate state of health;
the agitation, the excitement of ap-
pearance to give evidence, would be
III cannot continue; I cannot speak
OF it without terror; I pray you, for
my sake. do not prosecute Mr.. Hope
The Colonel was about to storm
forth an answer, but her white face,
ner heaving throat, had some effect
even on him.
'He is SO doggedly obstinate, Miss
Seaton. If he would but confess and
tell where it is, perhaps I'd let him
or"
Alice thought somebody else was OBJ
stinate.
81 do not believe he has anything to
confess" she deliberately said; Il
truly believe that he has not. He could
not have taken it, unseen by me; and
when we quilted the room, feel sure
the bracelet was left in it,
cit was left in it, so help me heav-
emf" uttered Gerard. .-..
'sAnd now I've got to speak," added
Frances Chenevix. Colonel, If you
we're to press the charge against Ger
ard, I would go before the magistrates
and proclaim myself the thief. I vow
and protest would, just to save him,
and you and Lady Sarah could not
prosecute me, you know"
''You do we'll to stand up for him!"
yetorted the Colonel. "You would not
be quite so ready to do it, though, my
Lady Fanny, if you knew something
I could tell you
''Oh, yes, should" returned the
young lady with a vivid blush.
The Colonel, beset on all sides, had
no choice but to submit; but he did so
with an ill grace, and dashed out Of
the room with the officer, as fiercely
as if he had been charging an enemy
at full tilt
'tThe sentimental apes these women
make Of themselves!" cried he in his
polite way, when he had got him in
private. lis it not clear case of
guilt?'
Gin my private opinion, it certainly
1s,'' was the reply; though he carries
it off with high hand. I suppose,
Colonel, you still wish the bracelet to
be searched for?"
Search in and out and high and
low; search everywhere. The rascal!
to dare even to enter my house in
secret"
MAY I inquire if the previous breach
with your nephew had to do with
money affairs?''
mo-" said the Colonel, turning more
erusty at the thoughts called UP. Il
fixed up wife for him and he would
mt have her; so I turned HIM out of
doors and stopped his allowance"
"Oh," was the only comment of the
police officer.
CHAPTER x.
It was in the following week, and
Saturday night. Thomas, without his
hat. was standing at Colonel Hopes
door. chatting to an acquaintance
when he perceived Gerard come tear