Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-04-17
Lady Masterton have for taking nel


| Lady Masterton have for taking her
stepdaughter's pendant" l asked.
You must be aware. Mr.. Carter
she said, that my sister-in-law is a
person of very obscure origin. What
more likely than that she may have
poor relations in pecuniary difficulties
| whom she has chosen to relieve in
this dishonest fashion,"
l was startled to find my informant
furnishing evidence of the correct
ness of theory that l had already
formulated, and then dismissed. Mean
while l answered:
II should be very sorry to think that
Lady Masterton was capable of stoop-
ing to a crime of this kind; but the
case certainly looks suspicious. May
ask you, however. not to say word
of this to any one else?"
Aunt Prissy rose. 1.-The subject is
SO extremely painful, Mr.. Carter, that
you may be quite sure l shall not
breathe word to soul Meanwhile,
sincerely hope that you will lie able
to prove Lady Masterton innocent, af-
| ter 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 yet
forgiven her brother for marrying
again; while her views 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toned and out of date.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 had made
any discoveries.
Like Scotland Yard" replied,
lightly, II have clew. But propose
to preserve the strictest secrecy until
put my hand on the culprit and pro-
duce the pendant"
"And when will that beg" asked
Pauline, eagerly.
Probably tomorrow morning." an.
swered. Possibly tonight"
Then you know who took the dia-
monds?" exclaimed Pauline, excitedly
"Yes," said. Il know who took
the diamonds"
did not look at Miss Priscilla, but
l could not fail to be conscious Of the
triumph in her eye.
There is nothing Carter loves like
a mystery" said Sir Nevil, sarcastical
ly. Garter, If you really know who
took the pendant, tell us, and have
done with It'll"
81 can't quite do that" l said "Bu'
If you will all be in the drawing room
at ten o'clock this evening, l shall
probably elucidate the mystery"
Immediately after dinner returned
to my room; but at ten O'Clock pune
tually entered the drawing room
where I found Masterton, with hi!
wife, sister and daughter playin,
bridge.
do come in, Mr.. Carter!" said Lad.
/ Masterton. I'VE are all simply dyins
to know"
VERY well, Lady Masterton. Blu
first want an absolute promise tina
l shall not be interrupted until have
finished my story, however startling
or outrageous my statements ma!
seem. Do you all give me that prom
ise?"
They all answered lightly in thu
affirmative. Whereupon added:
81 warn you, Masterton, that 70,
will find it very hard to keep you
word as soon as l have begun
go ahead, Carter! If 1 want tt
break your head, promise you II
save it up till you've finished YOU
yarn!"
| "All right" said. 1.-THE day be
fore yesterday, in the middle of the
afternoon, some one was seen com
ing out OF Miss Pauline's bedroom;
and the same person was afterwart
seen to hand small packet to mys
FERROUS looking man in the shrubbery
The person in question was Lady Mas
terton!"
Sir Nevil started from his chair
But reminded him of his promise
and he sat down again, glazing fierce
/ ly.
"The mysterious looking man in tn,
shrubbery was ne'er-do-well brothe
of Lady Masterton's who is leavin,
for Australia in few days to maxi
fresh start in life."
/ Here Lady Masterton was on tn
point Of interrupting.
| Appearances all pointed to the fac
that the packet handed by Lady Mas
| TO \, IN; !,
missing diamonds"
Miss Priscilla looked discreeuy tn
umphant.
| But" l added, appearances wer
entirely misleading. The purpos
that took Lady Masterton to Mis-
Pauline's bedroom was to get boo
she had lent her the day before, an
the packet she handed to her brothe
was sum of money she had arrange
to give him, with her husbands know
edge and consent"
Sir Nevil sprang from his chair one
more. Look here, Carter" he sale
Fortunately, you have removed m
desire to punch your head! But wha
the deuce has all this got to do wit
; Pauline's diamonds?"
ASK Miss Priscilla" said quietly
. What on earth do you mean?" h
inquired, blankly.
1.-THE pendant is locked up in tn
top left-hand drawer of her wardrobe,
answered. "And, if you ask hel
she will go and fetch It,"
rs this trae?" demanded Sir Newt
fiercely.
yes" she answered. meekly as sh