The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1907-04-05
PAULINE'S
PENDANT
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ting in his study at Masterton Prlory
after breakfast when his only daugnt-
er, Pauline, rushed in with White
face.
my dear little girl, what has disap-
peared?" inquired her. father in d
soothing tone.
my pearl and diamond pendants
The one you gave me just before the
wedding! oh, father, who can nave
taken it,"
Sir Nevil smiled. You have mis-
laid it, that's all! We don't have any
thing SO exciting as buglaries here"
But, father, here is the empty case,
which found in the drawer where l
locked it up yesterday morning Win
the pendant safe inside"
Sir Nevil looked grave. THAT
sounds odd" ne said slowly. Tell US
all about it, little girl.
The little girl" was fine, tail
young woman of two and twenty. Fer
mother had died when she was child,
and Sir Nevils eldest sister, Miss Pris-
ella Masterton, had played hostess at
the priory while Pauline was growing
up. She adored her niece, and Pauline
could always get her own way SO Tar
as Aunt Prissy was concerned
A few months ago the household
had received a shock-the announce
ment of Sir Nevil Masterton's second
marriage. Every one had come TO
look upon him as confirmed widuwer.
The new Lady Masterton was the
famous stage beauty, Miss Lydia
Beaugarde. She was principal show
girl at the Majestic Theater, where
her lovely face and matchless figure
brought her admiration and hand
some salary; while her strong com
nonsense and excellent capacity Tor
looking after herself had kept all ad-
mirers at a respectful distance until
Nevil Masterton placed his baronetcy
and his rent roll at her feet.
Pauline tearfully explained to her
father the exact circumstances OF her
loss. She was in the habit OF locking
her jewelny in certain drawer, and
then hiding the keys in the corner OF
auOLuGE QEdWCl. AC ASNN IAA@S
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 ac-
quainted with it's owners habits.
Her father tried to comfort her, and
added: Leave me to talk it over with
Mr.. Carter, here. If your pendant has
really been stolen he is more likely to
get it back for you than any one else!
| realized that to possess reputa-
ton as a sort of amateur Sherlock
Holmes involves one occasionally in
awkward responsibilities; bat has
tened to reassure her as far as pos
sible.
you are in for it now, Carter!"
said Sir Nevil, grimly.
That's all right" I said. Just
tell me a little about the history OF
the pendant before we go any fur
Their"
"Well, you see," he began, I'VE have
a good many family jewels, which
Pauline had come to look upon as her
own particular property. So that when
/ brought my wife here, a month or
two ago, Pauline did not altogether
like parting with what she considered
her treasures.
1T was to make up for this" con-
tinued Sir Nevil, that l bought her
a pendant, diamond crown with two
fine pear shaped pearls hanging down
on little platinum chains. And it is
this pendant that has now disap-
peared."
81 see," 1 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?"
"Oh, yes-Rayner! I forgot about
her She is a girl whom my wife has
known for long time and in whom
she has every confidence"
l began to perceive that was go,
ing to have rather unpleasant time.
At lunch every one was talking about
the pendant, and Lady Masterton in
particular seemed much concerned at
her stepdaughter's loss.
It was difficult to see what posi-
BILE motive Lady Masterton could have
had for being concerned in the mys-
FERROUS disappearance Of ner step
daughters ornaments.
l found myself wondering whether
this brilliant beauty might not have
some poor relation in desperate need
of money, for whom she might have
committed the theft, not daring to
part with any of her own jewelry
for fear of being discovered. Person
ally, however. l was much proposes
sed in Lady Masterton's favor.
Then another wild conjecture came
into my mind. Had Pauline herself
simply hidden the jewel to bring dis
credit upon her newly acquired STEP
mother?
l was sitting alone in Sid Nevilss
study after lunch, when the door was