Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-06-30
to pick some flowers.

mo, no, won't say anything" she
assented, in frightened voice. But
Harry Herne! 1t seems quite incred-
ible. Such nice young fellow-a
gentleman he always seemed"
He shrugged his shoulders.
Yes, l am bitterly grieved and
shocked to think that any one who
has lived in the place so long-that
any one who was born here, under
the shadow of the house, as it were
should have committed this crime
that is, if it should prove to be him.
Of course, there is only the fact of
Forbes finding him lurking about the
place at present. He may be limo
cent. No one will be more delight
ed than shall be to find that my sus-
picions have been misplaced and that
have wronged him."
Eyes, yes,' she assented. But
but, how could he get at the plate?
How did he learn the secret word?"
There was a minutes silence, dur
ing which Susie raised her white face
and seemed to listen with her heart
in her mouth.
The marquis shook his head.
81 cannot tell There is only one
way which l can think Of
What is that?" she asked.
Il don't like to mention it"
ooh, pleased am all on fire with
curiosity and INTEREST,"
We'll" he said, slowly, reluctantly.
mind, you force me, Miss Verner!"
Eyes; do not mind me: speak quite
openly
HE may have obtained the infor-
nation from you'll
From mel" exclaimed Marie Yer
ner; then she dropped her head and
plucked at the convolvulus in her
hands as if nervously.
Eyes; you say you told Miss Darra-
court Were you alone when you told
herr"
Il don't remember she STAN
mered. Were we alone? I quite
forgot. I'm so confused that I can't
recall-why yes, 1 think so. I am not
sure. Oh, dear, how dreadful this is"
Don't let it trouble you,' he said,
in a kindly way, cor l shall regret
having told you anything about it"
Marie drew long breath, cycling
the covering Susie at her feet.
81 wish you hadn't told me the
word, then 1 couldn't have told it to
anyone else" she said, fervently.
"But there, it's too late now Oh,
dear, l feel SO dreadfully upset! L
shan't dare to tell Lucille!''
do not" he said, gravely. wait
for a little while, at and rate. The
less the matter is talked about for
the present the more chance we have
of catching the thief, be he whom he
may"
Yes" she assented, Il must go now.
My head aches terribly, and feel as
if l had stolen the plate myself!
Only think if it should turn out to be
my fault! l should never forgive my
self!
and I shall never forgive myself
for telling you the word, in that
case" he said, gently. pray, think
no more of it. We shall get hold OF
the culprit before many hours are
over, and I have no doubt 1 shall re-
cover my property
ooh, I hope soi'' she exclaimed
"Good-by. Come up an tell Miss Oar
racourt all about If
II will, after I have seen the po-
lice" he said, and raising his hat he
walked quickly away.
Marie Werner gathered her flowers
together, uttering little EXPLANATIONS
of dismay.
Come, SUSIE" she said. II am so
intensely upset that don't know
what / am DOING
Susie rose white and trembling.
ooh, Miss, how good of you not to
tell him!'' she gasped, clasping her
hands
Tell him, the marquis, what?"
THAT | was in the room when you
were talking about the secret word
MISS Marie. thought L should nave
died, Miss, all the time. For | am
the only other person who knows the
word, excepting you and Miss Luz
ellie.
Sure. Quite-quite sure,'' de-
clared poor Susie. II never mentioned
it to a living soul, Miss Marie; it has
never passed my lips
"Then it was not from you that
Harry Herne got the word" said Ma
RE, thoughtfully.
Susie's face flushed and then grew
pale again
Harry! Master Harry!" she ex-
claimed Indignantly. do you think
that it's Master Harry who has done
it, Miss? Why, he wouldn't do it to
to save his life! Master Harry steal
the silver things from the marquisi
Why. he'd rather die first Oh. it's
quite impossible, Miss Marie!'
Eyes, l think so, too, Susie, but you
heard what T ord Merle said. Harry