The Southern herald., 1912-04-26
The Diamond Tiara

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derstoOd. and he found the role of jilt
cd sultor to be both unsatisfactory and
ineongruOus. His father had received
che news with considerable disgust
and urged him in frequent oommuni-
cations to look around for a wealthy
bride. But Jocelyn withdrew from so
cial life and spent the best part Of
MS leisure at home in his apartment
on Madison avenue. where he found
the company OF his valet Talbot sum
Client for his requirements.
Talbot" he said. Il am going to de-
vote myself henceforward to the pur-
suit Of adventure. / am convinced
that New York city affords opportu-
mites such as are uncommon in our
stalder London"
(which you're right, sir" answered
Talbot. why, sir, the women here
has what I'd cali a go about 'em
that"
7 was not referring to the female
element Of the population, Talbot" re-
piled Lord JOcelyn severely.
Yet II is undenlable that the pre-
mature termination of his engagement
70 Miss Squires had not rendered him
permanently immune against feminine
attractions. Otherwise. why should
ne have fingered in the vicinity of the
girl in sables?
They were real sables, too, and
Jocelyn was connoisseur OF furs.
Nothing, 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 sudden need for
money to pay her dressmaker?
Keeping 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, oldfashioned 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 a mag
niiicent 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 in
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
mall and up a number of flights,
reaching the top story in time to hear
q 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, evi.
IDENTITY both bedroom and sitting room,
8ithough the exceedingly dirty condi-
ieioR of the windows, which were half
covered with a 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.
feet of making further search for the
owner of the tiara. But this was
aOcked. too. In some way It had
automatically fastened itself; he was
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
fett the guilty consciousness Of
asurglary imbue itself into his brain.
1f the girl entered and found him
4here--what would she do, what should
he say?
AS he revolved his predicament in
hls mind he heard the lock click, and
a man came softly In. He was Of
shout Jocelyn's age, though certain
Hines of dissipation that had stamped
themselves upon his face, as well as
furtiveness in his eyes, revealed the
fact that his life had not been wholly
open to the inspection of his fellow
men. Seeing Jocelyn there, he stood
stock still, as though stunned by sur
prise, then suddenly whipped revol-
ger out OF his inner breast pocket and
aeveIed 1t at him.
You'll break that mirror behind
me If you FIRE" said Jocelyn, observing
4aat the weapon trembled in his Wis
Itor's fingers. mot that it's my mir
sor; I'm only advising you"
The man lowered the revolver and
1 turned an intensely penetrating look
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