The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-12-17
CHAPTER VIII.
MYSTERY OF THE COLLAR OF DIAMONDS
(CONTINUED).

CONTINUED.
81 R RS. KELVIN was not i'm
sAS. pressed by this declaration.
80 She rose with great rus
ting Of ribbons.z
Wont you come, too, Mrs. Donald
SOM she said, "and you, Mr.. Harring-
ton? There is room in the carriage"
Dorothy excused herself from partici-
pating in this adventure, and while she
was doing so got private word with
Donald.
T'm afraid this is q bad business, my
boy" said !. "kelvin will triumph
over you"
y shall be glad to give him the
chance" replied Donald. 'If anybody
wants to prove that I'm not psychic
marvel, he can have my help every
time"
Suppose Kelvin's got it himself?' I
whispered. "This may be a put up
Job"
He had no time to respond to this
suggestion in words, but could see
that he took 3 different view Of the
matter. If he had any inner light upon
the subject, he did not share it with
AIRS. Kelvin and me during the drive to
The Elms. He remained silent, ex-
cept when directly addressed, and all
his replies were as brief as courtesy
permitted them to be.
were met by Amy, who had the air Of.
one that has waited in great impa-
tience. It was impossible to be blind to
the fact that she regarded this appeal
to Donald as grand and glorious vim
dication Of him and that she expected
immediate and notable results. Don
aid by this time had sunk to such a
level Of detection that not even the
sight of the fair queen Of his youthful
fancy could move him in the least. In
fact, he seemed to be so miserable that
he could not look her in the face.
Mrs. Kelvin viewed his state with
alarm, for her hope was really fixed
upon him. She had more than her
share of that peculiarly feminine trust
in the supernatural which makes Wo-
men the easy prey Of all dealers in
mystery, and, besides, her confidence
was re-enfcrced by the wifely habit OF
disagreeing radically with Mr.. Kelvin.
could see clearly that she would be
very angry with Donald if he failed
For my own part, had not felt so
foolish since the day when l was first
led to expose before the eyes Of my
fellow citizens Of Tunbridge my aged
shanks attired in golf breeches and
hose, and that's a sad day for an old
man whom all the little boys and girls
have been taught to respect. The mem
ory Of it fitted across my mind as I
stood there on kelvin's veranda. The
lord of The Elms was visible within
the house, where he sat near 2 long
window N earnest conversation with
my old friend Graves Reedy. l was
somewhat surprised at kelvin's choice
of q detective. 1t might suggest pur-
pose to get two values for his money
by pumping Reedy in regard to the
affair Of the robbery at the factory and
Donald's prediction Of it.
Kelvin and Reedy rose Immediately
and came toward the window. Just as
they stepped out upon the veranda !
heard Donald say to Amy in plead
ing, disconsolate tone, do you really
wish me to do this?"
"Of course I do! Of course l do"
the girl replied, with energy.
By this time I had clasped the hand
of Kelvin, whose manner was as cour-
teous and cordial as that Of dog who
for fear Of a whipping permits another
dog to eat out of his dish. l had never
before realized how complete was the
domestic subjection in which my new
neighbor dwelt.
"Glad to see you, glad to see you"
said he. This is an opportunity that
we all ought to welcome. Seems to
have been made by Providence ex-
pressly for the purpose. Now, if I've
misjudged young Mr.. Donaldson, you'll
find me eager to square the account
and of course there's no quarrel between
you and me and never has been. You
understand that thoroughly, trust 1t
gives me pleasure to welcome you to
The Elms."
81 am going to be very frank with
you, Mr.. Kelvin" l said. "You did
Donald a great injustice this morning,
and that will be true whether he fails
or succeeds in this present matter. It
was in the hope that you had recog-
nized this fact that we accepted Mrs.
kel1in's invitation"
was glad to have found some rea-
son to justify my own conduct to my
self. AS matter Of fact, had been
wondering all the way over how in the
world we had happened to come.
81 have recognized it," said Kelvin,
turning red. Yes, sir; I have. Well
let it stand that way. All, Mr.. Don
aldson! Exceedingly obliged to you
for your kind offer to assist US in this
trouble. We expect great things Of
you"
az can't do it, Mr.. Kelvin" said Don
aid in a tone Of deep wretchedness. Il
can't find the diamonds. I don't even
know how to so to work to try. I'm
as likely to find the north pole sticking !
up through the floor Of your veranda.
But Mrs. Kelvin insisted upon my
coming"
''Mrs. Kelvin is O great insister. I'm |
not at all surprised to see YOU" said
the old villain, with a grin. 'Take
your own time. Don't hurry"
Upon this Mr.. Reedy favored US with
a brief review Of his endeavors.
There's only one thing in It," he |
said in conclusion. "Where did she
put the di'monds? That's the point
Where did she put 'em?"
"The maid?" asked Donald in a