The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1907-08-13

credit upon her newly acquired step
mother?
| L was sitting alone in Sir Nevips
study after lunch, when the door was
softly opened. 1 was a good deal sur-
prised to sec Miss Priscilla. or "Aunt
Prlssy,' as she was always called.
Mr.. Carter" she began, in a mys-
ferrous whisper, II want to speak to
you about the loss of Pauline's pend
ant! Miss Masterton sighed. 81
am afraid, Mr.. Carter, that the infor-
nation 1 have to give you is of a dis
tressing character!"
Nothing can be more distressing
than the present uncertainty" 1 de-
clared.
II felt it was my duty to tell
YOU" she said, awkwardly.
The faded old maid produced bor
pocket-handkerchief, and then said.
Pauline's room is in the left wing
OF the priory, next door to my own
room. Yesterday afternoon 1 was
surprised to see Lady Masterton
coming out of Pauline's room when
Pauline herself was out riding with
her father. An hour later my sis
ter-in-law went out into the shrub
berry with little packet in her hand.
winch she handed to a rough look
ing man waiting there, after which
she returned quickly to the house"
Did any one else witness any of
these incidents?" l inquired.
No" she said. quickly. at was
evident that Lady Masterton had
chosen her time carefully"
But what possible motive could
Lady Masterton have for taking her
stepdaughter's pendant?" 1 asked.
You must be aware, Mr.. Carter"
she said, that my sister-in-law is n
person of very obscure origin. What
more likely than that she may have
poor relatives in pecuniary Difficult
ties, whom she has chosen to relieve
In this dishonest fashion,"
L was startled to find my inform
ant furnishing evidence OF the cor
rectness of a theory that I had al
ready formulated, and then dis
missed. Meanwhile 1 answered.:
1 should be very sorry to think
that Lady Masterton was capable of
STOPPING to a crime of this kind: but
the case certainly looks suspicious
May 1 ask you, however, not to say
a word of this to any one?"
Aunt Prissy rose 1.-THE subject
is so extremely painful, Mr.. Carter
that you may be quite sure / shall
not breathe word to soul. Mean
while, 1 sincerely hope that you will
be able to prove Lady Masterton in
nocent, after ALL"
Old maids are often charming peo-
pie, and Miss Priscilla was described
by her niece as "a DEAR" but could
not help feeling that she had not vet
forgiven her brother for marrying
again; while her view of ladies' CON
nected with the stage were old-fash-
Toned and out OF date.
At dinner that evening Pauline
was anxious TO know whether 1 had
made any discoveries.
Like Scotland Yard" 1 replied.
lightly, 81 have a clue. But I propose
to preserve the strictest secrecy un-
til l put my hand on the culprit and
produce the pendant"
And when will that be?" asked
Pauline, eagerly.
Probably tomorrow morning." I
answered. Possibly tonight"
Then you know who took the
diamond?" exclaimed Pauline. excit-
eddy.
Yes" said Il know who took
the diamonds"
1 did not look at Miss Priscilla.
but 1 could not fail to be conscious
of the triumph in her eye.
There is nothing Carter loves
like a mystery" said Sir NeviI. sar-
castically. Garter. If you really
know who took the pendant, tell us.
and have done with IT,"
II can't quite do that" 7 said.
But if you will ali be I'm the draw
ing room at 10 o'clock this evening.
l shall probably elucidate the mys-
terry"
Immediately after dinner re-
turned to my room; but at 10 o'clock
punctually I entered the drawing
room, where / found Mastcrton with
his wife, sister and daughter playing
bridge.
do como I'm, Mr. Cartori" said
Lady Masterton. "Wo arc simply dy-
ing TO kuOWi'
Very well, Lady Masterton. But
I want on absolute promise that
shall not be interrupted until I have
finished my story, however startling
or outrageous my statements may
seem. Do you all give that pro-
Inise?"
They all answered lightly I'm the
affirmative. WhereupOn ! added:
II warn you, Masterton, that you
viii find 1t very hard to keep your
word as soon as have begun"
GO ahead. Cartorl m ] want 10
break your head, 1 promise you III
save It up tlll you've finished Your
yarnl"
"All right" 7 said. "The day be-
fore yesterday, I'm the mildle Of the
afternoon. some one was seen coming