The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-02-20
CHAPTER 1X-(Continued.)

lue UIdceleC cOulQ not nave gone
without hands to take 1t, Gerard" re-
piled Lady Sarah. "How else do you
account for its disappearance"
Il believe there must be some
misapprehension, some great mistake
in the affair altogether, Lady Sarah. 1t
apears incomprehensible now, but it
will be unraveled."
"Ay, and in double-quick time"
wrathfully exclaimed the Colonel.
"You must think you are talking to a
d pack of idiots, Master Garard. Here
the bracelets was spread temptingly
lout on a table, you went into the
room, being hard up for money, fin
gered it, wished for it, and both you
and the bracelet disappeared Sir
turning sharply to the officer-"did<
{ clearer case ever go before jury?"
Gerard Hope bit his lip. BE more
just, Colonel said he Your own
brothers son steal bracelet"
"And l am happy my brother is not
alive to know it, reioined the Colonel
in an obstinate tone. Take him in
hand, Mr.. Officer; we'll go to MARI
u. i
coat, and"
"No, no, you will mott" cried Lady
Sarah, laying hold of the dressing
gown and the Colonel in it; you shall
not go 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,
= Il. oil
Perhaps you are made of money,
my lady. If so, you may put up with
the loss of $3.50 bracelet. l don't
choose to do So"
."rhen, 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 a 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 it came
to, trial, think it would kill me. You
know my unfortunate state of health;
the agitation, the excitement of APP
pearance to give evidence, would be
Ii cannot continue; | cannot speak
of it without terror; l 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.
Ac N1,c%sy To Hico
Seaton. If he would but confess and
tell where it is, perhaps I'd let him
! off,"
I Alice thought somebody else was OBJ
climate.
81 do not believe he has anything to
confess" she deliberately said; 81
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 il"
1T was left in it, so help me heav-
en!" uttered Gerard.
And now I've got to speak," added
Frances CheneviX. "Colonel, if you
were to press the charge against Ger
ard, 1 would go before the magistrates
l
and protest would, just to save him,
= and you and Lady Sarah could not
prosecute me, you know"
You do well to stand up for him!"
retorted the Colonel you would not
be quite so ready to do it, though, my
Lady Fanny, if you knew something
could tell YOU"
oh %1o
young lady with vivid blus1.
The Colonel, beset on all sides, had
no choice but to submit; but he did SO
I with an i'll grace, and dashed out OF
the room with the officer, as fiercely
as if he had been charging an enemy
at full tilt.
1.-THE sentimental apes these women
make of themselves" cried he in his
polite way, when he had got him in
private Us it not clear case Of
guilt?"
Elm my private opinion, it certainly
Is" was the reply; though he carries
vt off with high hand. I suppose,
Colonel, you still wish the bracelet to
Il be searched for?"
low; search everywhere The rascal!
to dare even to enter my house in
secret"
May inquire if the previous breach
with your nephew had to do with
money affairs?"
No." said the Colonel, turning more
STusty at the thoughts called up. Il
6ked up wife for him and he would
MT have her; so turned him out of
doors and stopped his allowance"
ooh" 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