The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-05

HoIice. T said that you were clever, Mademoiselle. But it would have been as well for all concerned if you had spared us this trouble"
 You alone are to blame for the trouble" answered Maxine. T never saw that thing before in my life"
 was astonished that there was no
 ring of satisfaction in her voice. It sounded hard and defant. but there
 was no triumph in 1t. no joy that. SO far. she was saved--as if by a miracle. Rather was her tone that of a woman
 at bay. fighting to the last, but without
 hope.
 ''Nor did ever see 1t before" I
 echoed her words.
 She glanced at me as if with gratf- tude. Yet there was no need for grati-
 tude. I was not lying for her sake.
 but speaking the plain truth. as I thought that she must know. For the first time the commissary
 of Police condescended to laugh. 'T
 suppose you want me to believe that the last occupant of this room tucked some valued possession down into a safe hiding piace--and then forgot all about it. That Is likely. is 1t not?
 You shall have the pleasure, Madena- oiselle--and you. Monsieur--of seeing with me what that careless person left behind him."
 He had laid ths thing on the table, and now he tapped 1t, aggrayatingly, with his hand. But the strain was over for me. looked on with calmness. and was amazed when at last Maxine Flew to him, no longer scornful, tragicaliy indifferent In her manner, but implor- ing--a weak. agonized woman. For the love of God, spare me, Mon sleur." she sobbed. You don't under stand. I confess that what you have there. is mine. I.have held myself highin my own eyes, and the eyes of the world because I---an actress-never took a lover. But now I am like the others. This is my lover, There's the price I put on my love. Now, Mon sieur, ask you on my womanhood to hold what is in that leather case sac red.''
 I felt the blood rush to my face as if she had struck me across 1t with whip. My first thought, to my shame, was a selfish one. What If this became known. this thing that she had said. and Dianna should hear? Then indeed all hops for me with the girl loved would be over My second thought was for Maxine herself. But she had scaled my lips. Since she had chosen the way, I could only be silent.
 "Mademoiselle. 1t Is a grief that I must refuse a prayer. from such woman. But duty before chivalry I must see the contents of that case. said the Commissary of Police. She. caught his hand and rained tears upon 1t. f'No--no!" she timplored. If I were rich. would offer you thousands to spare me. I've been ex- travagant--I haven't saved, but all l have in the world is yours if--"
 ''There can be no such if Made- wrenchIng his hand free, he opened the case before she could again prevent him.
 Out fell a cascade of light, a diamond necklace It flashed to the floor, where it lay on one of the sofa cushions. sond- Ing up a spray of rainbow colors. "sacre bIeur' muttered the French man. under his breath, for whatever he had expected. he had not expected that. But Maxine spoke not word Shorn of hope, as, in spite of her prayers and tears, the leather case was torn open, she was shorn of strength as well; and the beautiful, tall figure crumpling like q flower broken on its stalk, she would have fallen if I had not caught her, holding her up against my shoulder. When the cataract of diamonds sprang out of the case, how ever. I felt her limp body straighten | itself. I felt her pulse leap. I felt | her begin to live once more. She had | drunk drhught of hope and life. and \ fortified by 1t was gathering all her scattered forces together for a new fight. if fight she must again. The Commissary of Police turned the | leather case wrong side out. Ii was empty. There had been nothing inside but the necklace; not card, not q scrap of paper.
 "Where, then, is the documentT' crestfallen. he put tho question half to himself half to Maxine de Renzie. 1AA wise to betray in voice or face. Hear ing the heavy tone, seeing the shamed face. the hanging head that lay against my shoulder, who--knowing a little less than did of the truth--would have dreamed that in her soul she thanked God for a miracle? Even would not have been sure. had not felt the life stealing back into her half-dead body.
 "The contents of the case are not what came here to find" admitted the Enemy.
 T do not know what you came 10 find. hut you have made me suffer hor- ribly." said Maxine. You have been very cruel to a woman who had done nothing to deserve such humiliation, All pleasure I might have taken in my diamonds is gone now. shall never have a peaceful moment-never be able to wear them Joyfully. shall have the thought in my mind that people who look at me will he saving:
 Every woman has her price. There is the price of Maxine de Renzie
 You need have no such thought Mademoiselle." the man protested. We shall never speak to anyone ex- cept to those who will receive our re- port. of what we have heard and seen in this room"
 wont you search further?" asked Maxine. Since you seemed to expect something else-"
 "You would not have had timo to conceal more than one thing. Made moiselle," said the policeman. with smile that was faintly grim. Besides this case was what you did not wish us to find. You are a great actress, but you could not control the dew which sprang out on your forehead. or the beating of your heart when I touched the sofa, so I knew: I had been watching you for that. There has been an error, and I can only apolo- gize,"
 sent you," said Maxine. letting me lead her to a chair into which she sank, Imply 'I am thankful you do not tell me these diamonds are con traband in some way. l was not sure but 1t would end in that"
 Not at all. Mademoiselle. I wish you joy of them. It Is you who will adorn the jewels, not they you. Again [ apologize for myself and my com panions. We have but done our duty.
 T have an enemy. who must have contrived this plot against me-" ex- claimed Maxine, as if on a sudden thought "It is said that Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.',, But