Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-04-13
PAULlNE'S PENDANT.
Gather. it has disappsared!"

Inc, rushed IN with white lace.
MY dear little girl, what has disap-
pcared?" inquired her father in a sooth-
ing tone.
my pearl and diamond pendant The
one you gave me just before the we'd
ding! Oh, father, who can have taken
Iit?"
Sir Nevil smiled. "You have mislaid
it, that's @ll! We don't have anything
so excitingNs burglaries here"
But, father, here is the empty case,
which l found in the drawer where l
locked it up yesterday morning with the
pendant safe inside"
Sir Nevil looked grave. "That sounds
odd" he said, slowly. Tell us all about
| it, little girl"
The little girl' was a fine, tall young
woman of %. Her mother had died when
she vas a chic, and Sir Nevifs eldest
sister, Mis- Priscilla Masterton, had
played hostess at the priory while Paul
inc was growing up. She adored her
niece, and Pauline could always get her
own way so far as Aunt Prissy was con-
cerned.
A few months ago the little household
had received a shock-the announcement
of Sir Nevil Masterton's second marriage
Every one had come to look upon him as
a confirmed widower.
The new Lady Masterton was the ia
nous stage beauty, Miss Lydia Beau
garde. She was principal showgirl at the
Majestic theater, where her lovely face
and matchless figure brought her ad-
miration and handsome salary; while
her strong common sense and excellent
capacity for looking after herself had
kept all admirers at a respectful dis
lance until Nevil Masterton placed his
baronetcy and his rent roll at her feet.
Pauline tearfully explained to her ia
Their the exact circumstances of her loss.
She was in the habit of locking her
jewelry in a certain drawer and then
hiding the keys in the corner of another
drawer. The fact that the keys and the
case of the pendant were both in their
proper places seemed evidence that the
pendant had been removed by some one
intimately acquainted with its owners
habits.
Her father tried to comfort her, and
added: Leave me to talk it over with
Mr.. Carter, here. If your pendant has
get it back for you than any one else!"
| realized that to possess a reputation
as a sort of amateur Sherlock Holmes
involves one occasionally in awkward re-
sponsibilities; but | FASTENED to reassure
her as far as possible.
"You are in for it now, Carter!" said
Sir Nevil, grimly.
That's all right" / said, quietly
Just tell me a little about the history
of the pendant before we 60 any fur
'rnrr"
We'll, you see" he began, "we have
good many family jewels, which Paul
inc had come to look upon as her own
particular property. SO that when |
brought my wife here, month or two
ago, Pauline did not altogether like part
ing with what she considered her treas
mes.
ut was to make up for this" con-
tinued Sir Nevil, that ] bought her a
pendant. diamond crc'" with two fine
pear shaped pearls hi Town on lit
tie platinum chains. this pend
ant that has now disar ID"
Il see," l said, thoughtfully. what
about your servants, Masterton
They have all been with me for
years." he said warmly. Il should never
suspect any of them!"
What about Lady Masterton's maid?"
ooh, yes--Rayner l forgot about her
Sh els a girl whom my wife has known
for a long time and in whom she has
every confidence"
| began to perceive that 1 was going
to have rather unpleasant time. At
lunch every one was talking about the
pendant, and Lady Masterton in partic-
ular seemed much concerned at her step
daughters loss.
1t was difficult to see what possible
motive Lady Masterton could have had
for being concerned in the mysterious
disappearance of he'd step-daughter' or
naments.
| found myself wondering whether this
brilliant beauty might not have some
poor relation in desperate need of money.
Tor whom she might have committed the
theft, not daring to part with any OF her
own jewelry for fear of being discovered.
Personally, however | was much pre-
possessed in Lady MYSTERIOUS favor
Then another wild conjecture came into
my mind. Had Pauline herself simply
hidden the jewel to bring discredit upon
her newly acquired step -mother2
| was sitting alone in Sir Nevis study
after lunch when the door was SOFTLY
opened. | was good deal surprised to
see Miss Priscilla, or Aunt Prissy" as
she was always called.
MIR. Carter" she began, in a mvsteri
Gus whisper. Il want to speak to Won
about the loss of Pauline's pendant!"
Miss Masterton sighed. Il am afraid.
Mr.. Carter, that the information l have
to give you is of a distressing char
aeterl"
Nothing can be more distressing than
the present uncertainty" | declared.
II felt it was my duty to tell YOU"
she said. awkwardly.
The faded old maid produced her peck
ct handkerchief and then said:
"Pauline's room is in the left wing of
the priory. next door to my own room.
Yesterday afternoon l was surprised To
see Lady Masterton coming out OF Paul |
ines room when Pauline herself was
cut riding with her father. An hour
later my sister-in-law went out into the
4.