The Lamar register., 1902-02-12

rage when she secs It, for It was new
tonight
Gerard Hope shook hands with Lady
Frances. and Mr.. Netherleigh.. who
had word of direction to give him.
they stood there. who should enter
but Colonel Hope. Gerard's uncle. He
started back when he saw Gerard.
"C-a-can l believe my senses?"
suffered he. "Mr. Netherleigh. is he
one of your guests?"
He is here on business" was the
merchants reply. Pass on. Colonel"
mo. sir. l will not pass on" cried
the enraged Colonel, who had not
rightly caught the word business. "Or
II do pass on, 1t will only be to warn
your guests to take care Of their jew
elry. mo. 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 it
in Calais, l hear: how long did. the
bracelet last you to live upon?"
Sir" answered Gerard, with . pale
face, sit has been starving rather than
starring. 1 asserted my innocence at
the time. Colonel Hope. and repeat
it now"
Innocence" ironically repeated the
Colonel, turning to all sides of the
hall. as II he took delight In parading
the details of the unfortunate past.
The trinkets were spread on 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 confounded folly
in listening to a parcel of women that
l 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! II you encourage him in your
house. you don't have me-
Now another gentleman had entered
and heard this; some servants also
heard 1t. Colonel Hope, who firmly
believed in his nephew's guilt. turned
off peppery and indignant; and Ger
ard, giving vent to sundry unnephew-
like expletives, strode after him. The
Colonel made dash into a street cab
and 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 q
lady who had also been whirling.
Frances did not know her.
You are quite exhausted; we kept
1t up too long" said the cavalier in
attendance on the stranger what
can l get for you?"
My fan; there 1t is. Thank you.
Nothing else.'
What an old creature to dance
herself 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
Hooked at it and started, she strained
her eyes and looked again; she bent
nearer to 1t 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 to her.
"Adela. who is that lady?" She
asked pointing to the stranger.
Il don't know who she is" replied
Lady Adela, .carelessly. II did no,
catch the name. They came with the
Cadogans."
THE idea of your having people in
your house that you don't know" in.
dignantly spoke Frances, who was
working herself into fever. Where's
Sarah. do you know that?"
"In the card room, glued to the
whist table"
Lady Sarah, however had unglued
herself. for Frances only turned from
Lady Adela to encourage her.
Il do believe your lost bracelet 1.
in the ROOM" she whispered in agita-
ton. Il think l have seen it,
Impossible responded Lady Sarah
Hope.
ITO be continued.)
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