Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-07-14

In the drawing-room, Miss, SAID
the footman.
"Show him in here. please said
Lucille.
II wonder what on earth he
| wants,'' exclaimed Marie Werner, STIR
| ring her coffee and clinking the spoon
against the cup in light-hearted care
less fashion. 81 do hope he has
come to propose some rational idea of
spending the day.
Mrs. Dalton folder her table nap
| kin.
shall we leave the room, Miss
Darracourt?" she asked.
mo, no. replied Lucille; do not,
please. | dare say it is as Marie sug-
gests, and we shall want your ad-
vice!"
The marquis entered as she spoke
He was carefully dressed, as usual,
but there was an expression of an
noyance and gravity upon his face
which Lucille noticed instantly.
He appeared as if he were making
an effort to dispel the cloud from his
brow, as he bent over her and MUIR
INJURED an apology for the unusually
early hour for his visit.
as the Hall on fire, Lord Merle? %
asked Marie, when he had shaken
;, hands with her and Mrs. Dalton.
He smiled in patient kind of a
way, as one does at the playful per-
| CT fa Of child
mo, Miss Werner
We'll if you are quite certain it is
not, you had better sit down and have
some coffee; l don't believe you have
breakfasted.'
A footman brought a chair to the
| table, and the marquis sat down and
| accepted a cup of coffee from Mrs.
Dalton.
81 must plead guilty to not having
! breakfasted' he said.
Last nights dissipation" re-
marked Marie. eff one has ones
pleasure, one must be prepared to pay
for it. The only one of you three
who seem to have gone through last
/ nights dance unscathed is Lucille.
Perhaps, like the young lady who was
asked why she went to so many balls,
dancing agrees with her."
The marquis smiled at this sally;
| but it was evident that he had some
thing on his mind, and that his visit
was one of business, and Mrs. Dalton
arose.
But he glanced at her and said, in
his polished manner:
pray do not retire on my ac-
count. Mrs. Dalton; the business l
have come upon can be better dis
J cussed in open form-with Miss Oar
| racourt's permission
What is it?" asked Lucille. HAS
anything occurred, Lord Mer}e?"
He set down his cup, and looked
at the floor for a second, as if re-
luctant to commence.
Il am almost sorry that l have in
| truded,' he said at last, slowly and
grayely; 'but it seemed so natural to
come to you under the circumstances
the plate-closet in the small din
ing-room has been broken into, and a
| vi SIOISu.
Marie uttered an exclamation of
| amazement. and Mrs. Dalton held up
| her hands with a shocked expression;
| but Lucille still said nothing.
"Why-how-when did you discover
it, demanded Marie Werner.
This morning." he said. Il my
self discovered my loss. Being rather
restless, l arose earlier than usual
and was passing through the small
dining-room On my way into the gai
den when l saw the panel door partly
open. and found that several pieces
of plate. were gone
'0h, dear!" said Marie, under her
breath
What a terrible loss, my lord!" la
mented Mrs. Dalton. Those rare
smi his arti"
Yes" he said smiling but rather
! sadly; and the most unfortunate
| part of the business is that the thief
whoever he was, seemed to have
guessed which were the articles up
4
/ mean money value for he has taken the
most curious pieces, and those which
are most distinctly heirlooms!"
Tut, tut! tut. Oh, dear! What will
( you do?" exclaimed Marie.
He shrugged his shoulders, and
| played with his watch chain.
Il do not know exactly; indeed, I
have ventured to come to you for adj
vice." and he glanced at Lucille, who
who sat with downcast face.
'.Advice-to usi" exclaimed Marie
Three women! Why don't you go for
,, the police, Lord Merle?"
He was silent moment. and once
again his eyes wandered to Lucille's
face.
Well" he said, quietly. there are
-reasonsi"
Reasons, What reasons?'' demand
ed Marie. "Of course you ought to go