The Holly chieftain., 1902-02-14
CHAPTER XIII.

tocratic man. with a noble counts-
nance. He bore = sealed note for Mr..
Hope to deliver In the city.
why. Fanny" he exclaimed to his
sister-in.law, .you here?"
Yes; look at the sight they have
made me-" replied she, shaking down
her dress for his benefit, as she had
previously done for Mr.. Hope. "I am
waiting for some one Of the damsels
to mend 1t for me. 1 suppose Mr..
Hopes presence has scared them
away. Won't mamma be in At Of
rage when she sees it, for 1t was new
tonight"
Gerard Hope shook hands with Lady
Frances. and Mr.. Netherleigh, who
had = word Of direction to give him,
walked with him into the hall. As
they stood there. who should enter
but Colonel Hope. Gerard's uncle. He
started back when he saw Gerard.
"C-a-can believe my senses?"
suffered he. "Mr. Netherleigh, IL he
one of your guests?"
"He is here on business" was the
merchants reply. Pass on, Colonel"
"No. sir. 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. "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 1t
in Calais, hear; how long did the
bracelet last you to live upon?"
Sir" answered Gerard, with a pale
face, ut has been starving rather than
starring. asserted my innocence at
tho time, Colonel Hope, and I repeat
it now"
Innocence" ironically repeated the
Colonel, turning to all sides Of the
hall, ~ 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 It for another fault-went stealth
lily into the room, and the next min
ute the diamond Bracelet was missfng.
It was owing to my eonfounded folly
in listening to parcel Of women that
did not bring you to trial 1T tho
time; have only once regretted not
doing It, and that has been ever since.
A little wholesome correction at the
penitentiary might have made an hon
est man Of you. Good d-night, 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 it. Colonel Hope, who firmly
believed in his nephew's guilt, turned
on peppery and indignant; and Ger
ard, giving vent to sundry unnephew-5
like expletives, strobe 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 q
whirling waltz. Next to her sat .
lady who had also been whirling.
Frances did not know her.
"You are quite exhausted; we kept
1t mp too long" said the cavalier in
attendance ON the stranger. What
can get for your"
MY fan; there It is.s Thank you.
Nothing else"
What an old creature to dance
herself down." thought Fances
"She's 40, II she's day"
The lady opened her ian 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 1t and became agitated
with her emotion. II her recollection
did not play her false. that was the
lost bracelet. t
She discerned her sister. Lady Adela
Netherleigh, and glidsd 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 not
catch the name. They came With the
Cadogans." gl
THE idea Of your having people in
your house that you don't know!" in
disnantly spoke Fxances, who was
working herself into fever. where's
Sarah. do you know that7"
.sIn the card room, glued to the
whist table"
Lady sarah. however. had unsiued