The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-03-20
Short Stories by the Best Writers

"Why-why are you hereY' she de-
manded brosenly.
"Am / so dlstasteful TO your he .
asked, stopping short. You have not
led me TO believe So"
Il did-you do not understand-what
has happened today-must always Z
stand between u.s."
He stared incredulously. boldly. at
her. "You cannot possibly mean that
my rumored failure on the street has
affected your feeling toward met" he
asked scornfully.
mo. oh, no! How could you believe
a little thing like that would make any
difference to me? / mean thisv Elsie
brought forth the pearl sleeve link
and held Il toward him In her rosy
palm.
you found thisf 1t is mine. / thank
you" he said gravely, 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
see, my emeralds were stolen tonight
from that very bag!'
"Ahw There were anger and con-
demnation in his rapid glance before
it turned TO tender amusement. And
you have spoken to no one regarding
the matter?'
She turned eagerly. mot soul. /
shall never breathe n word. Only 1
hope shall never see you againl How
could your"
"You mean. how could I rob the girl
I 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 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
edr'
White and shaking. Elsie stretched
forth her hand and received the green
ripple of flame from Ormond. From
one end of the chain n stone was miss
ing.
Il knew It." she said in low tone
81 discovered their loss before dinner
I was going to tell you about 1t. onl,
, u She hesitated.
"She discovered a clew," added Vent
; nor calmly-"this." He laid the Slew
: link on the table.
! "And other clews," said Elsie bur
, riedly, telling her story now withou
reservation.
Then the short man spoke with au
thority. "Very easily explained, Mis-
Halliday. Your maid had unpacke'
; your trunk, and the butler. here, In tn
{ absence of another servant was remoy
ing the trunk to the storeroom. A mai
stepped through the open window. sill
: open your dressing bag extracted tn
: Jewel case. from which he took the en-
! eralds, replaced the case in the ba
g and was escaping through the VIII
= dow when your maid. returning. discoN
[ cred him, alarmed the butler and MI
), Ventnor, who was passing through tn
: hall. and the three of them struggle
4 to hold him. He was husky cha
r and desperate. and they had fight fc
G It, each one leaving some evidence G
e the contest. Now, Mr.. Ormond. wit
l your permission I'll take my fine gel
:. tleman alongr'
e He strobe to a door and threw
open, revealing in n shallow closet II
n sullen. downcast face of the Hallida
e chauffeur.
g Henry Miss Halliday's lovely fa'
S was a reflection of passing emotion
RI as she realized that the chauffeur ha
$. followed in the wake of her journ6
10 TO rob her: that the valiant lit
y Louise, who was Henry's sweethear
had captured him for the sake of To-
d atty to her mistress and was even no
y crying her pretty eyes out over b
degradation. Elsie swept all barrie
lie aside and knelt down beside her wee
% ing maid.
Poor little Louise" she whisper'
it softly. "You are far Drawer than |.
te could never have done what you ha'
d today. Your reward will come late
My father will investigate, and IL II
10 Henry's first offense it may be possib
Is for you to marry and start aires
IS somewhere with the dot / shall pr
r. vide"
nj Thus comforted, Louise dried h
e tears and was taken to dinner
&c Katuru, while the police officer c
&c mond had summoned took his prison
r away. The ormonds went back
k their guests, and Elsie slipped avn
ak In their train.
ne At the drawing room door Ventn
lie. placed his hand in hers and drew b
into tho conservatism