The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-01-27


his questioning gaze.
at was in my room-on the chair
where my dressing bag had been. You
see"-she turned away her head so
that she might not see his face-"you
see, my emeralds were stolen tonight
from that very bag!'
"Ahp' There were anger and con-
demnation in his rapid glance before
1t turned to tender amusement. "And
you have spoken to no one regarding
the matter?'
She turned eagerly. Not a soul.
shall never breathe a word. Only
hope shall never see you again! How
could your"
"You mean, how could I rob the girl
1 loved best in the world?" he asked
gently.
| Ventnor took her hands in his and
compelled her to return his straight
look. "Do you love me, Elsie?" he
asked.
YES" she said.
He released her hands and offered
his arm.
my poor little detective, come with
me to Ormond. He has something to
show you"
In the housekeeper's room a little
group of people were centered about
the table. There were Dick Ormond
and his wife, Louise; Katuru, the but
Ter, and strange, heavy set man with
keen eyes. They turned with one ac-
cord as Elsie entered with Ventnor.
"Miss Halliday" began Dick Or
mond soberly "this has been rather
an exciting evening for some of us
would have been for you only Mabel
insisted you should be kept in igno-
rance until after dinner. Your emer-
aids have been stolen-and recover
ed"
White and shaking, Elsie stretched
forth her hand and received the green
ripple of flame from Ormond. From
one end of the chain a stone was miss
ing.
81 knew it," she said in a low tone
81 discovered their loss before dinner.
1 was going to tell you about it, only
y She hesitated.
"She discovered a clew," added Vent
nor calmly-"this." He laid the sleeve
link on the table.
"And other clews," said Elsie hur-
riedly, telling her story now without
reservation.
Then the short man spoke with au-
thority. Very easily explained, Miss
Halliday. Your maid had unpacked
your trunk, and the butler, here, in the
absence of another servant was remov-
ing the trunk to the storerOom. A man
stepped through the open window, slit
open your dressing bag, extracted the
jewel case, from which he took the en-
eralds, replaced the case in the bag
and was escaping through the win
dow when your maid, returning, discOv-
cred him, alarmed the butler and Mr..
Ventnor, who was passing through the
hall, and the three of them struggled
to hold him. He was husky chap
and desperate, and they had fight for
it, each one leaving some evidence of
the contest. Now, Mr. Ormond, with
your permission I'll take my fine gen.
tleman along"
He strode to a door and threw il
open, revealing in shallow closet the
sullen. downcast face of the Halliday
chauffeur.
Henry" Miss Halliday's lovely face
was a reflection of passing emotions
as she realized that the chauffeur had
followed in the wake of her journey
to rob her; that the valiant little
Louise, who was Henry's sweetheart
mad captured him for the sake of 10y
atty to her mistress and was even now
crying her pretty eyes out over his
degradation. Elsie swept all barrier.
aside and knelt down beside her weep
ing maid.
"Poor little Louise" she whispered
softly, you are far braver than |.
could never have done what you have
today. Your reward will come later
My father will investigate, and if it il
Henry's first offense it may be possible
for you to marry and start afresl
somewhere with the dot I shall pro
vide"
Thus comforted, Louise dried he
, tears and was taken to dinner b!
, Katuru, while the police officer Or
hiOhu hlu SululhOnSu LOOh Ills pTlSOue
away The Ormonds went back t
their guests, and Elsie slipped ava!
in their train.
, At the drawing room door Ventno
placed his hand In hers and drew he
unresisting into the conservatory.
! "You said you loved me-" he salt
firmly.
I 81 do" said Elsie humbly, "but
cannot expect you to value such al
affection as have displayed tonight" :"
''The reason you fastened suspicion
> so strongly upon me was a simple one
q dearest. 1t was really because you
. heart was so filled with thoughts o
o me that there was no room to suspec
anybody else. l am flattered-indeed"-
r "Oh, you are generous. Harvey
Would you want to marry me now?"
70 'If you will have me-" said Ventno
S SOft'V'