Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-04-05
The Diamond Tiara


lost touch with his former associates.
'Self-abnegation is frequently misun-
derstood. and he found the role of jilt-
ed sutton to be both unsatisfactory and
dncongruous. His father had received
the news with considerable disgust
and urged him in frequent commune
cations to look around for wealthy
bride. But Jocelyn withdrew from So
cial life and spent the best part of
on Madison avenue, where he found
the company of his valet Talbot sufi-
cient for his requirements.
Talbot" he said, 81 am going to de-
vote myself henceforward to the pur-
suit of adventure. I am convinced
that New York city affords opportu-
mites such as are uncommon in our
Istaider London"
Which you're right, sir" answered
Talbot why, sir, the women here
has what I'd call a go about 'em
that"
q Il was not referring to the female
Ament of the population, Talbot" re-
d Lord Jocelyn severely.
bit it is undeniable that the pre-
re termination of his engagement
IS SQuires had not rendered him
lently immune against feminine
tions Otherwise, why should
ge fingered in the vicinity of the
1 sables?
u ey were real sables, too, and
Jos n was a connoisseur of furs.
lNotNmg, he was wont to say, adds that
finishing touch to a girl that hand
some furs will. But in this case there
was the element of curiosity that
came to complete the spell. For why
had this richcly clad girl entered a
pawn shop at the lower end of Sixth
avenue at six o'clock in the evening
and come out again without the sa-
bles? Was 1t a sudden need for
money to pay her dressmaker?
Keeping a discreet distance, so that
he might not be under suspicion of an
ungentlemanly pursuit, he followed
along the north side of Washington
square. She paused at the entrance
to large, old-fashioned apartment
house. one OF those that had been
constructed before the days Of eleva-
tors. and opening the door, disap-
peared within. AS she passed out of
sight Jocelyn heard something chink
upon the sidewalk He hurried for
ward, stopped, and picked up mag
nificent diamond tiara.
His frst impulse was to hasten into
the building and inform the girl of her
loss. His second was to remain out
side until she missed the ornament
and came out in search of it. But, see-
ing several men upon the opposite cor
ner of the square, looking, to his
mind, suspiciously like detectives I'M
plain clothes, pointing in his direction
and evidently observing him, he de-
cided to yield to the first impulse, and
entered He hurried through a dark
hall and up a number of flights,
reaching the top story in time to hear
a door close softly Which door had
she entered? He was sure it was the
door upon the left He looked and saw
that 1t had not closed the lock pro-
truded against the framework. He
knocked and, receiving no answer, en-
tered.
Lord Jocelyn found himself In a
large, sparsely furnished room, evil
Identity both bedroom and sitting room,
although the exceedingly dirty condi-
tIon of the windows, which were half
covered with tattered shade, appar-
emily indicated condition of poverty
wholly at variance with the attire
(which the unknown had worn. From
this room door led apparently into
the second of the suite, but 1t was
locked Jocelyn retreated to the door
by which he had entered, with the OBJ
ject of making further search for the
owner Of the tiara. But this was
locked, too In some way 1t had
automatically fastened itself; he was
a prisoner.
The position In which he now found
himself was certainly an awkward
one Standing irresolutely in the CEN
ter of the floor, holding the tiara, he
felt the guilty consciousness of
burglary Undue itself into his brain.
III the girl entered and found him
there-Wnat would she do, what should
ne say!
AS he revolved his predicament in
his mind he heard the lock click, and
a man came softly in. He was OF
about Jocelyn's age, though certain
lines of dissipation that had stamped
themselves upon his face, as well as a
furtiveness in his eyes, revealed the
fact that his life had not been wholly
- = ell
men. Seeing Jocelyn there. he stood
stock still. as though stunned by sur
prise, then suddenly whipped revolt
YER out of his inner breast pocket and
leveled 1t at him.
you'll break that mirror behind
me If you fire. said Jocelyn, observing
that the weapon trembled in his Wis
s4ms f,.xrnrc <<ATof that ifs my mir