The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1906-12-07


II was still and empty; no fire o. The
hearth; no signs of life anywhere.
He crossed the room. and after tap
pins ~ the door OF the bedroom
where Pauline slept. opened il and
looked in. The bed had been UndiS-
turbed since the day before. The
women had disappeared. \ thorough
examination of the house showed
that. while no bulky articles had
been takeIr nothing Of value was left.
The next day Basil Deane present.
ed himself in the city and told Louis
OF the mysterious fitting
Louis mobile iace had grown
sober. He half-opened his lips To
speak, but the distress I'm Basil's
countenance checked the words. He
was thinking.
You do not speak. You think
am deceived"
II am afraid you are" gently.
Upon my life | am not" said
Basil, eagerly. Il am "A fool in world
a pure, true woman when see her
Ana ii ma Marguerite!
lie began his search at once, Louis
Duval sometimes aiding him. and
oftener, as time went by, trying 20
dissuade him.
1t was two years after Marguerite's
disappearance, and during that time
Basil Deane had become a popular
artist. His pictures were no longer
hung in obscure corners at the eXhi-
bitions, but were the centre of ad-
miring crowds. One evening. while
waiting with Louis, he stepped into a
goldsmith's shop upon some trifling
errand. A shabby, eign-looking
man stood by the counter. But If
monsieur would be good enough To
look at this" said the man, with
French accent, and directly a lucid
point shone out
Basil's hand tightened over his
friends arm.
THAT is the jewel told YOU of.
know its setting" he said, in an eX-
cited whisper.
Where did YOU get this?" de-
manded the goldsmith, looking at
him with suspicion.
1T is a family jewel" returned
the man, hurriedly, but, as If
alarmed, the man began TO put the
trinket up IF monsieur does not
want il ! will offer it elsewhere" he
said, and went out. Our two friends
silently followed, and at last came TO
a narrow alley. Before tall, shabby
house the man stopped. A hand was
laid upon his shoulder.
You are to explain how that jewel
came into your possession" said
Basil. with resolution. Monsieur.
the brooch is my wifes," said the
man.
Indeed, We will go in then and
inquire of her" And Basil put his
hand upon the bell-pull.
For heavens sake, gentlemen,
don't do that" said the man, in fear,
Pauline will be angry"
Basil's heart leaped. For a mo-
ment he was incapable Of speech. The
shabby man opened the door and ran
up a long flight. In moment Basil
Deane and Louis Duval followed. A
shrek burst from Pauline's lips, and
then she sank down in corner.
Somebody came forward.
Monsieur,
"Marguerite,"
The name was a glad cry, and his
arms were open 10 receive her.
Marguerite's cheeks flushed. She
looked in wonder from one to the
other, her color visibly rising under
Louis eager gaze. And he seemed
unable TO remove his eyes from her.
"Who are you? What do you
want?" said Pauline, her eyes gleam-
ing maliciously
Gently, madame you know that
but for one or two things YOU would
be in the galleys at Toulon," said
Duyal.
'Tis lie You don't know any
thing about it," she cried
Then ! must recall few passages
in your life to your remembrance;
and | do il as much for the sake OF
that girl as for yours. said Louis
You know that when you were my
mothers bOnnc, in the confusion OF
her illness you stole her diamonds
and had paste substituted for them.
1t was the brooch which was my
fathers wedding present 10 her that
betrayed YOU at last"
Pauline dropped her face in her
hands.
And then, when my father mar
ried again, he retained YOU because
of your supposed kindness 20 my
mother. And when my grandfather.
angry at this second match, and de-
spising Marguerite's mother-peas-
ant-born, but noble-hearted let YOU
see his hate, YOU famed IT with lies.
and when at last the poor young
creature died in my fathers absence.
you were ready, for money, 10 steal
Marguerite. Now go and get my dia-
monds,"
She obeyed humbly. bringing them
from a dingy closet, where they lay