The Washington times., 1912-08-30
CHAPTER XIV.
r. Baxendale's Prodigal Son.

n L SO happened that the DAY follow
ing that on which the fortune and
the diamonds fell into Miss Dris-
coils hands, as ripe fruit some
times falls at the very feet of the un-
suspecting stranger who walks medi-
tatively through an orchard, was a
Sunday, and Miss Driscoll was glad of
1t.
She wanted to be quiet, in order that
she might carry out a seemingly de-
sirable task and give herself up to Sc
we're thought. With these objects in
| whole days holiday, remarking that
| she thought Selma looked run down
| and would be all the better for a rest,
| and that she herself. having no particu-
pense with the usual Sunday feast and
| make out upon cold lunch. By, IL
o'clock Selma had departed, and Miss
| Driscoll had the house to herself, and
she Immediately began to carry the
| seemingly desirable task into effect.
This was nothing more or less than a
| minute search through all the late Mr.
| t1nneys effects, as comprised in the
bureau, for any document. paper entry
| in account or memorandum book, or for
| any reference whatever to the diamond
| necklace.
She had thought the thing over since
early morning and had determined that
| tInney must have come into possession
| of the gems in way of business.
She remembered Mr.. Baxendale's s
| statement that Finney had, in secret,
| been money lender in a rather large
way of business-it occurred to her
that the diamond necklace had been
| lodged with him as security for a
, loan. This theory seemed to her so
able explanation, and she then nat
urally wanted to know to whom the
diamonds really belonged. 1t seemed
to her that ffnney must possess some
record of the transaction, and she
determined to search his papers and
books thoroughly Hence the dis
missal Of Selma for the better part OF
the day.
But though she went through every
scrap of paper in the bureau. Miss
Driscoll found no reference to the dia-
monds. She came across memoranda
Of curious and Interesting transac-
tions in which Finney had figured at
one time or another. but across moth
ing relating to the gems. When she
had exhausted the contents of the bu-
reau she was just as wise as ever as
regarded the question, of ownership.
The diamond necklace might belong
to her as the late Mr.. Stafford Fin
ney's sole residuary legatee, or II
might belong to some great parsonage
who had left it with Mr.. Finney as
security. 1t was perfectly obvious
that IT must belong to somebody, said
Miss Driscoll to herself: diamond neck
laces of a presumable value of $780, 00(
, less. If the diamonds had come into
Mr Finneys possession in legiti-
mate way (and she knew nothing OF
; him that could suggest they did noD
and had become his rightful property
why, then, they were now hers.
; That was really the question which
l Miss Driscoll wanted to settle-were the
diamonds hers or were they the prop
erty of some other person who nigh
turn UP at an awkward moment and lay
claim to them?
That was the first matter which
8 claimed Miss Driscol's attention tina
Sunday morning. The second was
t careful consideration of her futur,
1 that she. who was now rich woman
e should wish to remain longer in a small
manufacturing town in Yorkshire. sur
I rounded by coal pits and clap heaps
; No-she wanted to go back to her owl
e native land and to that particular cor
\ ner OF it, which she loved best, sh
: wanted to pay off her fathers creditors
Z and hold her head high again befor
folk who had said nasty things abou
! him. And she wanted to do all thi
u as quickly as possible.
D. But there was her business to con
! sider-a good business and a paying one
{ and Miss Driscoll was far too much o
; a shrewd and practical woman to for
u get it. She must make some arrange
| ment about it-sell It, or arrange 70
Miss Bryce to carry it on in her name
Il But. easiest plan of all. she would Sc
{ It to Bryce, II Bryce had the none
! whereWith to buy it,
G Miss DEiscoll resolved that II BrYC
had not the money or only part of IL
: she would be easy with her-she ,woul
let the purchase money be regarded a
D. a loan TO be paid off according t
> BryCe's ability.
Continuation of This story WI
4 He FOund In TOmOrrOw's