Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-08-14

stillington heirlooms! Peter was to,
be robbed to recoup the plundered
Paul!
Lighting a cigarette. Weasel waited
in the gloomy doorway. Presently a
door was slammed, steps hurried along
the passage. and Lady Stillington
passed him like a whirlwind without
noticing him, calculating THE
knave!" as she hurried into the street.
Weasel followed her as before, and
she returned to Park Lane as she
had left 1t, partly by cab. partly on
foot. As she was about to enter her
house-this time openly by the front
door-Weasel hurried up to her side.
Can l speak to you, my LADY," he
said, deferentially. II have important
information concerning your neck
lace"
She turned with look of astonish.
ment.
Every WELL" she said. Il will send
for you when am ready"
She began to move away from him
across the hall. but that did not suit
Weasers plans.
Mono. my lady. you must hear
me without delay" he urged loudly,
SO that the servants by the door could
hear him. And Lord Stillington
should be present to hear what
have to tell"
She stopped irresolute, angry at his
importantly yet curious to hear his
news.
Where in his lordship?" she asked
a servant.
I'm the library, my lady," the man
replied.
Come" she said to Weasel, and
preceded by the servant walked over
to the library.
Lord Stillington rose, as she emit
cred, from the chair where he was
sitting wrapped in troubled thought.
you. Estelle," he exclaimed.
Where have you been, dear?"
ITO my fathers" she answered.
with bold mendacity. This man has
news" with gesture toward Weasel.
"Halloa! Weasel" said his lordship.
Found the necklace?"
II know where 1t is, my lord" re.
piled Weasel.
"Where?" asked Lord and Lady
Stillington together, eagerly.
Weasel took his courage In both
hands. and staked his all on blur.
EITHER in the possession of Adolph
Denck, of Hutton Garden" said he,
"or else in that of Lady Stillington."
He pointed at Lady stillington in de-
nunc'ation. The color fed from her
face and left her CHASTITY. Her looks
convicted her. For moment she
quailed before her husbands eyes;
then. with sudden change Of man
ner, drew the necklace from her mum
and flung 1t on the table.
'.There 1t Isl" she cried, facing
Lord S'illington with blazing eyes. II
wonder you dare let me go before my
sovereign wearing such gewgaw.
You we've right-turning to Weasel,
beside herself with rage-'the neck
lace is in I1enck's possession-the real
Stillington necklace. This trumpery
affair"-indicating the necklace on the
tablets paste imitation of what
this honorable .nobleman sold to Denck
two years ago."
1t was Lord Stillington's turn to
quail now.
II was so desperately In need of
money" he pleaded. II was at my
wits ends to raise the wind"
"Of course, my lord" said Weasel,
tactfully. Every one knows to what
desperate expedients want of money
drives folks. My lady knows we'll
don't you, my LADY,"
( "Oh! yes,n exclaimed my lady,
guessing he knew all.
Don't speak Grossly, my lady," he
demonstrated: I'm very discreet"
Yes. and his discretion now brings
him in quite handsome annuity by
the amount of which the Stillington
exchequer, through the indiscretion Of
my lord and lady, is yearly depleted.
Whether Shadrach will ever receive
that "cool thou" for which he has
covenanted to hand over Lady stilling-
toms criminatory bill to her depends
altogether on that lady's luck.
And whether future Lady Sitting
tons will discover that the celebrated
necklace is worthless sham, and
what they will do, or say, or think, II
they make such discovery, are mat
tiers that only concern posterity and
are outside the province of the present
chronicles.-George Hudworth, in II.
Illustrated Bits.