Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-29

reached now. And not having been frank
at first. must be secret TO the end)
The very asking of such a bold question
DO you think l let a man in and hid
him ?"-helped my cause with Raoul.
No. he said. Il can't think ii. l won't
and don't think it. And you need tell me
nothing. l love you And 50 help me
God. won distrust you again.
Just as 1t entered my mind to risk every
thing on the chance that Ivor had by this
time found his way out. heard. or fancied
I heard faint sound In the next room.
He was there still
Instead OF throwing open the door. as II
had occurred to me to do. saying. Let US
look for the man and make sure no one
else let him in" laughed out abruptly, as
If on a sudden thought. but really to cover
the sound IL 1t should come again.
"Oh, Raoul.' l exclaimed. In the midst of
the laughter with which / surprised him.
You're taking this too seriously A thou
sand times l thank you for trusting me in
spite of appearances, but-after all. were
they so much against me? You seem to
think I am the only young woman in this
house. Marianne. poor dear. is old enough.
it, true. But l have femme de chambre
and cu!siniere. both under twenty five,
both pretty and both engaged to be mar
RED (This was true. All. what COM
fort to speak the truth to himD Doesn't ii
occur to you that at this very moment, a
couple OF lovers may be sitting hand in
hand on the seat under the old yew arbor?
Can't you imagine how they started and
tried to hold their breath lest you should
hear as you opened the gate and came up
the path?
Forgive mel" murmured Raoul. in the
depths Of remorse again.
Shall We go and look or shall we leave
them in peace?'
Leave them In peace by all means"
The man will be slipping away soon, no
doubt. Both Therese and Annette are good
little girls"
Don't let's bother about them. You will
In Itror nd gk,,
deserve 1t. Brute that am. You were so
tired and l.
'Oh. I'm better now" said. 'Of course
1 must send you away by and by. but not
quite yet. First, / want to ask IL you
weren't glad when you saw the diamonds"
'Diamonds?" echoed Raoul. What dia-
monds q"
You don't mean to say you haven't yet
opened the little bag I gave you at the
theater?" exclaimed.
Raoul looked half ashamed. Dearest,
don't think me ungrateful.' he said, but
before had a chance to open 1t l met Go
densky. and he told me-that lie. 1t lit a
fire In my brain. forgot all about the bag
and haven't thought of it again till this
minute
AT last I laughed with sincerity. "Oh.
Raoul. Raoul, you're not fit for this work
a-day world. Well. I'm glad. after all. that
1 shall be with you when you see what that
little insignificant bag which you've for
gotten all this time has in 1t. Take it out
OF your pocket and lets open 1t together.
For the moment l was almost happy and
that Raoul would be happy l knew.
His hand went to the inner pocket of his
coat. into which 1 had seen him put the
brocade bag But 1t did not come out
again. 1t CROPPED. and his face flushed
Good heavens. Maxine" he said. Il hope
you weren't in earnest when you told me
that bag held something very valuable to
US both. for I've lost it. You know I've
been almost mad I had my handkerchief
in that pocket. I must have pulled it out,
and"
My knees seemed to give way under me.
I half fell onto a sofa.
"Raoul.'' I said in queer. stifed voice.
1.-The bag had In 1t the Duchess de Mont
pelier's diamonds"