The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-02-16

manded brokenly.
Am l so dIstasteful to your he
asked. stopping short You have not
led me to believe SO"
II did-you do not understand-what
has happened today-must always
stand between US"
He stared incredulously. boldly, at
her you cannot possibly mean that
my rumored failure on the street has
affected your feeling toward me?" he
asked scornfully.
mo, oh. no, How could you believe
a little thing like that would make any
difference to me? mean this!' Elsie
brought forth the pearl sleeve link
and held 1t toward him In her rosy
palm.
you found this7 1t is mine. thank
you" he said grayey, slipping the link
into his cuff and still holding her with
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
btt, NY CLISl "NAC StDA1A NNA's -
from that very bag"
"Ahm 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 matter2"
She turned eagerly. Not a soul.
shall never breathe word. Only
hope shall never see you again How
could your"
you mean, how could rob the girl
l 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 a strange, heavy set man with
keen eyes. They turned with one &C
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
edw
White and shaking, Elsie stretched
forth her hand and received the green
ripple of fame from Ormond. From
one end of the chain q stone was miss
ing.
Il knew It," she said in low tone.
II discovered their loss before dinner.
I was going TO tell you about 1t, only
T. She hesitated
"She discovered 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 a husky chap
and desperate, and they had fight for
1t, each one leaving some evidence of
the contest Now, Mr.. Ormond. with
your permission I'll take my fine gen
tleman along!
He strobe to a door and threw 1t
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.
had 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 barriers
aside and knelt down beside her weep
ing maid.
poor little Louise" she whispered
softly You are far Drawer than |.
could never have done what you have
today. Your reward will come later.
My father will investigate. and If 1t Is
Henry's first offense 1t may be possible
for you to marry and start afresh
somewhere with the dot shall pro
vide"
Thus comforted, Louise dried her
tears and was taken to dinner by
Katuru. while the police officer Or
mond had summoned took his prisoner
away. The Ormonds went back to
their guests, and Elsie slipped away
In their train.
At the drawing room door Ventnor
placed his hand In hers and drew her
unresisting into the conservatory.
You said you loved me-" he said