Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-12-12

about half past o'clock.
MARTINI" she called to the coachman
suddenly, "drive home again"
Mrs. Willard could bring clearly into
view a jewel casket containing some
thousands of dollars worth of dia-
mond ornaments, but she could not
see Mrs. Lee Willard in the act of put
ting it away in the cunningly devised
hiding place in the head of the quaint,
old fashioned couch that stood by the
north wall of the apartment
No member of the family was at
home except her niece, Miss Amy Bar
ton, who had gone to her room with a
headache, and Mrs. Wizards maid
would probably have joined the other
servants in the rear of the house imme-
Ciately after her mistress departure.
The butler was a new man.
When the carriage drew up abreast
the door Mrs. Willard sprang out be-
fore the spry footman could offer his
assistance and at that instant she
deserted a dark figure hastily with
drawing into the mouth Of the narrow
court that ran along the. north side of
the house.
who is there?" she cried.
The figure seemed to hesitate and
then came forward into the light of
the avenue.
1T is 1, Mrs. Willard" said this sus-
picious character, lifting his hat.
"TOm Lawrencew exclaimed the lady
IS if he had been a schoolboy, al
though there really was little difference
in their years. what were you doing
there?'
Il stepped in out Of the wind to get
light" he replied.
"a light for what?" she demanded.
For my cigar, of course" he answer
ed, with a trace of embarrassment.
1--WE thrown it away now"
She looked at him for ten seconds
closely.
II want to talk to you," said she at
last. Come into the house. Oh, that's
all right" she added, seeing his look of
surprise. "You won't see Amy, though,
upon my word, 1 believe you would
have done so if I had not returned so
soOn."
'YOur husband"-s
lis out of town." she interrupted.
But he would approve my course if
he were here He won't let you call
on Amy
Because / haven't enough money"
Because you haven't enough stabil-
ity of character" answered the lady
severely, though, as before, she spoke
in a tone too low for the ears Of her
liveried servitors. "But come. l have
a reason for haste.'
She assembled the steps just as the
door opened in response to the foot
mans ring. Passing the butler, she
turned a keen eye upon him, for some
thing in his appearance struck her as
unusual and vaguely disquieting, so
much so indeed that she asked him
sharply what was the matter.
Il don't know, num-" he replied. Il
do feel i'll, num- but it's only just this
instant-a little bit-er-dizzy like"
"You have been drinking. 1 am
afraid"
ga sip of beer, mum, with my din
ner," he replied, "the same as is al
lowed the other servants-no more, I
do assure you.''
Mrs. Willard turned away, at the
same time commanding Mr.. Lawrence
by move of her hand to wait her re-
turn. AS she ran up the stairs she had
a glimpse of Miss Amy Barton in the
hall above. The young lady seemed to
be fully and very becomingly dressed
and to have quite recovered from her
indisposition. Mrs Willard found the
door of her dressing room open, and the
place was in disorder.
She ran across the room. The little
secret nook in the head of the couch
was open. Casket and jewels were gone.
Mrs. Willard was not an excitable
woman, and her self command in
emergencies was excellent
'Where have you been since | went
out?" she demanded of the butler.
II never got out of my chair, mum,
till you came back" said he.
''What makes you talk so Strangely"
she asked "You are drunk; you have
been asleep"
II protest that it amt so, num- he
answered, with tears in his eyes. 'Tm
sick. I'm taken sudden with some
thing, don't know what"
Then he suddenly regained his self
control and got upon his feet.
whats wrong = what's wrong,
mum?" he cried eXcitedly.
"All my diamonds are gone"
"But-but," stammered Lawrence,
this man could see that door from
here. 1t isn't possible
81 10
gan.
II was all right" groaned the butler
II was as we'll and wide awake as ever
in my life till I got up to let you in.
Nobody went near that door or I'd
have known it,"
'Ah," said Mrs. Willard, "here is
Lucy" The trim maid entered at that
moment by door at the rear OF the
hall, and she stared in amazement at
1, sr4