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

i 6lh LULU
Peccancy /
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,
Lord Stillington was haggard and
gray faced; Lady Stillington was in
tears. After returning from the state
ball. whore her ladyship had worn
the famous Stillington diamonds, they
had Just discovered that the world
renowned necklace--the most valued
Item OF the set-was missing. For two
centuries these jewels had been the
pride and glory of the Stillingtons, and
now the necklace had been lost by
the youngest Lady Stillington who had
ever worn tia bride of only three
months.
1 She said she remembered feeling 1t
safe when they were coming away.
As she was about to step into the
carriage the horses had become res
Z tive and she had drawn back for a
moment. putting up hand as she did
20 to gather her cloak about her
throat. Her hand had touched the
necklace. safe In its place then, and
that was the last she knew about it.
Directly they got home Lord Still
linston noticed it had disappeared.
The cerriage was searched in case 1t
had DROPPED during their drive from
the palace, and Lady Stillington's
dress was carefully examined in the
/ hope that 1t might have caught some
Where. But all to no purpose-the
necklace was not to be found.
"Oh! how could I have been so
stupid?" Lady Stillington sobbed. "Can
you ever forgive me? / know 1t will
never be found"
"Oh! nonsense" said her husband.
TT will turn up all right. Go to bed
now and don't worry any more about
It."
But he spoke in a troubled voice
and with a harassed look that belied
the optimism Of his words.
Next day search was made for the
necklace, but It could not be found.
Lord Stillington put the matter in the
hands Of the police, and also, employed
private detectives. He was much dis
:tressed by the loss. and seemed deter
mined to leave no stone unturned to
effect Its recovery. Yet, very strange
". he refused to advertise for it, and
insisted that as little publicity as pos
sible should be given to the affair. He
made no eApuse for this singular ca
price: simply allowing himself to be
considered eccentric.
Funny chap. his lordship," remark
ed Inspector Boggles. the Scotland
Yard man. you may call 1t eccen-
tricity. but call 1t this" And he
topped his forehead with his finger.
Lady stillington was so overcome
by the disaster that had befallen her
that she could only lie in bed in a
semi-hysterical state bemoaning her
misfortune. Her husband tried to com.
fort her by assuring her the necklace
would soon be recovered, and that,
even II 1t was never found, it would
not matter.
But there was haunting look of
care on his face, and he was unac.
: countaDly dlstralt, which quite de-
ssIoyed any consoling eject his words
I Mignt nave mad.
NoW, engaged IN his case. was Wea'
sol. the private inquiry agent, whose
clienseie was composed OF those who
moved IN the upper walks OF life
IN the course OF business he had
learned something OF the inner life
OF, Lady Stiiiington. who before her
marriage was Estelie Manton, the
dauenter OF Col. Manton, OF turf re-
nown.
ne kne" that' unable to extract suf-
nclehta PIN money from her generally
nard-up Iatner she mad got into hope
less money troubles
ne knew that 70 get out OF these
troup!es sne mad tried to "hy Kite
ana tnat snadrach, the money lender,
nad IN MS saie Dill for 4200 signed
py ner and purporting to be accepted
Dy ner latner, but on which she had
forged tne paternal signature.
Snadracn mad advanced her s1O0
on tne DILL and now she was paying
MN 1So year to Keep his mouth
smut pending ner nnding the sum of
= l,ooo, 1or wnicn ne would give her
DacK the Dill.
Having this knowledge, weasel con-
sidered II maniiestiy the game to keep
an eye on Lady stillington. Accord
ihgiy ne contIlyed. by making love to
ner maid, 70 De IN the vicinity OF her
iadysnlp's bedroom all day,
Late IN .ne afternoon MS vigilance
vas rewarded. LADY stillington, thick
" Veiied' came gu. OF her room and,
stealth.ly inaking ner way down the
DacK Stars let nerseif out by a side
door Us WHOM W.a any one seeing ner.