Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08

necklace. 1t flashed to the floor, where il
| lay on one of the sofa cushions, sending VI
| a spray of rainbow colors.
"Sacre bleu!' muttered the Frenchmar
under his breath. for whatever he had ex
pected. he had not expected that Blu,
Maxine spoke not word. Shorn of hope
as. in spite OF her prayers and tears, the
leather case was torn open, she was shorI
of strength as well; and the beautiful, tall
figure. crumpling like a flower broken or
its stalk. she would have fallen If had no,
| caught her, holding her up against my
shoulder. When the cataract of diamonds
sprang out Of the case, however, I felt heI
limp body straighten itself. felt her
| pulses leap. l felt her begin to live once
more. She had drunk draught of hope
and life, and. fortified by it. was gathering
all her scattered forces together for new
fight. If fight she must again.
The commissary OF police turned the
leather case wrong side out, It was
empty. There had been nothing Inside bu,
the necklace; not a card, not scrap o!
| paper
fallen. he put the question half to himself
half to Maxine de RenZie.
What document. she asked, too wise to
betray relief In voice or face. Hearing the
heavy tone. seeing the slammed face, the
hanging head that lay against my shoulder
Woodworking 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 I 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.
Il do not know what you came to find
but you have made me suffer horribly. -
said Maxine You have been very cruel
to a woman who had done nothing to de-
serve such humiliation. All pleasure /
might have taken in my diamonds is gone
now. l shall never have a peaceful mo-
ment-never be able to wear them joy sully
l shall have the thought in my mind that
people who look at will be saying
Every woman has her price. There is the
price of Maxine de Renzie.' -
You need have no such thought, made
mosele,' the man protested. I'VE shall
never speak to any one except to those who
will receive our report of what We have
heard and seen in this ROOM
Won't you search further?" asked Max
inc. Since you seemed to expect some
thing else
You would not have had time to conceal
more than one thing, mademoiselle, said
the policeman, with smile that was faint
ly grim. Besides, this case was what you
did not wish us to find You are great
actress but you could not control the dew
which sprang out on your forehead or the
beating of your heart when l touched the
sofa. so l knew; had been watching you
for that. There has been an error and
can only apologize"
81 don't blame you. but those who sent
YOU" said Maxine. letting me lead her to a
chair into which she sank, Imply Il am
thankful you do not tell me these diamonds
are contraband in some way l was not
sure but it would end in that"
Not at all. mademoiselle. I wish you
JOY Of them. 1t is you who will adorn the
Jewels. not they you. Again 1 apologize
for myself and my companions. We have
but done our duty
Il have an enemy. who must have con-
trived this plot against. me-" exclaimed
Maxine. as If sudden thought. 1T is
said that hell hath no fury like a woman
scorned. But what of a man who has been
scorned-by woman? He knew l wanted
all my strength for tonight-the night of
the new play-and he will be hoping that
this has broken me. But 1 will not be
broken. If you would atone, messieurs, for
your part in this scene, you will go to the
theater this evening and encourage me by
your applause.
All three bowed. The commissary of
police. lately relentless, murmured COM
pliments. 1t was all very French and, after
what had passed, gave me the sensation
that was in a dream. ..e 7-..~,......~-..