The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-01-21
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an air that grew and more startled and at the
end his disquisiton their voices loud in de-
nuncaton Of Mr.. Eppstein
In the middle Of it Peter left them to meet his
stepmother coming from the house. "Tm afraid Epp-
stems emerald is going to spoil your party. Manner
culus," he said.
In n few well-chosen words Lady sCartrell told
Peter her opinion Of him from frequent repetition
the formula had become practically stereotyped.
On one OF the croquet lawns he found Helen and
Colonel Brown playing croquet.
"The sutton is not going at all strong at present y
said Peter taking slow, luxurious pull at his excel
lent cigar ..t
Both Of them smiled on him kindly.
$50 you countermand the Lochinvar motor car.
which OF you was going hire it," said Peter, turn
ing their smiles to confusion.
II do think you're silly said Helen.
"well we'll, you needn't blush quite so hard for
my Stiffness, old GIRL said Peter ard he strolled on
through the strawberries, enjoying the peace of the
garden.
When he came back to the Court he found its atmos
phere all that he had desired. His stepmothers
guests had been forcing one another the most
elaborate accounts of their movements before break
fast with the intention Of averting all possible sus
picion from themselves; and they were now at the
stage OF fixing suspicion the persons they CHANGED
severaliy to dislike. Some Of them were talking Of
leaving and they prevented from putting
the intention into effect only by the desire to be
the spot to the upshot Of the matter.
The atmosphere oppressed most deeply Mr. Eppstein.
He had, to his own thinking. been making admirable
progress in this exalted circle. He had found
himself welcome when he joined any group of takers
and had dispensed to it Stock Exchange tips with
gracious, ,norid lordliness. He had observed with
pleasure that his hearers hung his lips. Now all
this was changed. He In the position Of the
wounded animal expelled from the herd His fellow
10 70
not express sad sympathy with persons robbed Of
eneralds Moreover, thanks to Peters disquisition
on the danger OF crcumstantial evidence, he was
further Stunned as a source OF danger. Groups
melted when he joined them. Solitary guests tore
themselves hurriedy away from him on the nimsiest
pretexts
Darker and darker suspicious filed his mind He
saw himself the victim Of plot; his fellow-guests
were IN a conspiracy to rob him. He had read many
society stories with view to obtain Information to
guide him along the social path. He had learned
from them that society is adventurous and light
fingered. He his felow-guests dividing the pro-
cecds Of the sale Of his emerald his beloved emerald
Looking them, In its green light, he became aware
that many Of them had faces of the criminal type
a great pity for himself filled him; he felt that it
was Eppstein against the world, and he could have
wept for the lonely Eppstein.
While he was in this forlorn mood Peter descended
on him, bland and sympathetic. He babe him cheer
up: he foretod with conviction the outwting Of the
thief. Mr.. Eppsteins heart went out to him. Then
when they were firmly established in the position OF
generous souls united to right the wrong, Peter
said. "How would 1t be to keep eye on the gates
and that sneaks down to the village to
send the emerald away by post:"
That's good idea" cried Mr.. Eppstein; and
without more ado they walked briskly down to the
lodges.
There Peter left him, charging him to stroll up and
down with careless air. and to let no one lure him
from his watch any pretext. assuring him that he
would keep his eyes open at the Court BY way Of
performing that feat he set about game Of croquet
with Sybil Carstairs the pretest Of his stepmohers
guests. In the middle of it Colonel. Brown came
on to the lawn, alone and disconsolate. Lady Cart
rell had swooped down on them and carried Helen
away.
Presently Peter stepped aside to him and suggested
that he might be kind to Mr.. Eppstein He said that
he was incoming unhappily about down by the lodges :
and painted his forlorn in affecting terms Would
not the Colonel be a good fellow and bring him back
to play game Of billiards? The Colonel had the
heartiest detestation Of his rival but he carried
kind heart in his huge frame. He said that he
would. and strobe or down to the lodges.
There Mr.. Eppstein would sooner have
suspected than the Colonel in whom he recognized a
serious obstacle to his social advancement by mar
rage with Helen; and ut the sight Of him his heart
beat fast He at suspected him Of trying tn
sneak away with the emerald: and when he heard
OF his invitation to come to play billiards, his
picion became certainty. 1t was attempt to lure
him from his watch He refused the invitation with
aspcrty which made the very toes of the Colones
boots itch to kick him. The temptation so strong
that he had to turn his heel and depart briskly
lest he should succumb to it. He came back to
Peter and explained with some heat to what extent
Mr.. Eppsten's loss had brought out his natural Of
fensfveness Peter condoled with him his repulse
and some twenty minutes later. at the end Of his
game he went to the grocer prince
Assuming puzzled air, he said. 'You haven't By
any chance seen BROWNE"
"Xes' I've seen him." said Mr.. Eppstein darkly.