The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-24
TIE EVENING STORY
The COPYRIGHT Diamonds.
(By lola FoFrester.)

rings, none marked. One diamond
pendant set in platinum, thirty-four
small diamonds. Diamond and pearl
drop earrings Denny Clarity paused
in his inventory and wipe off his fore
| head. Where did she carry them
all, and did she wear them week
days?"
| Walt Jessup did not answer. He
leaned over the paper on the desk,
following with his finger the items as
he read them off for the detective to
copy.
altogether, Denny" he finished up.
| "All easy to identify. You've seen
how the house is laid out. There
hasn't been a burglar inside the place.
We never leave the house entirely
empty, and yesterday there was no
one here outside the family except my
sisters secretary, Miss Haywood"
whats the regular family" asked
Denny.
well, there's Mrs. COPYRIGHT. my
sister, and Mr. Courtright's invalid
daughter, Miss Violet, by his first
marriage, and myself. That is except
| ing, as L say, Miss Haywood and the
servants. Mrs. COPYRIGHT does not
suspect any of them"
| "And these are all her own things,
none belonging to the other ladies
mentioned?"
you mean to Miss Violet or Miss
| Haywood? Oh, certainly not. They
are all my sisters personal jewels. She
has not returned home as yet, but is
on her way. Last Saturday she left
here for Lenox. Her maid, Rodensen,
a Swedish woman, always carries the
handbag containing the jewels and
other valuables. 1t seems that Mrs.
COPYRIGHT did not discover the loss
until that evening when she unlocked
the case and found it empty
cit was locked?"
st presume so, although she has not
written fully. She will be here this
oSIx boT>
yourself. I haven't any theories about
the thing at ALL It's all an Internal
mixup, but 1 think the maid is on, if
you ask me. The jewels were all given
band, and she thinks the world of
them"
How about the secretary"
Jessop flushed and half closed his
1--WE will leave Miss Haywood out
Of the whole thing, if you please" he
said. "She is to be my wife. Just
moment"
Down the broad oak staircase came
two girls, one tall and strong, the
other small and misshapen.
Miss Haywood and Miss Violet
Courtright,'' Jessop murmured. "You
had better wait for me in the smoking
ROOM
"violet insisted on my helping her
down to you, Walt" said Kate Hay
wood, her face full of tender anxiety.
you know. Have you heard any
thing?"
Jessop waited until he had helped
Violet into the easy lounging chair,
and sat beside her, Stroking her slim
white hand between his warm palms.
He had always felt sorry for the girl,
ever since Grace, his sister, had mar
ried her father. She seemed such a
fiery, sensitive soul to be imprisoned
in the frail invalid body.
Not a word" he said cheerily. "But
you must not worry. 1 am sending out
a full alarm, and a reward is being
offered. Grace will be here soon, and
it is better not to let the servants see
you are nervous. Why did you come
down, Violet?"
Violet opened her eyes and looked
not at him, nor at the dark, vivacious
face of Miss Haywood, but at the great
sparkling log in the huge fireplace
ct didn't want to be alone, and Miss
Haywood wanted to know if they had
heard anything. I wish Grace were
here
Jessop dropped her hand and rose
at the humming of car up the
drive.
Guess you've got your wish, vi" he
laughed.
She turned her head to watch him as
he stepped to the outer hall. Kate
Haywood at his shoulder From the
shadows of the smoking room Denny
Clarity watched her, and he saw the
pinched the girls face when she thought
she was alone.
Guess Walt Jessop's too popular
round here" unused Denny. graveIy.
Folks can lose worse things than
diamonds
Then he saw Grace Courtrfght as
she came leisurely into the great Iiv-
ing ROOM her fur cloak thrown open.
her face rosy and handsome from her
ride up from the station. She had put
her arms impu1sively around the fragile
figure in the low chair, and Denny
thought it seemed to shrink from the
contact.
why, child, how ill you look" she
exclaimed. walt, I'm afraid you and
Kate have been to happy to think of
vi. Now, don't all tell me of the rob-
berry at once. Ring for tea, Kate will |
you please? Walt, hadn't Mr.. Clarity |
better have some refreshment? Then |
as the two men were safely out of |
hearing. she leaned forward. and looked |
directly at Violet. What is it. dear?
You seem Ill.,
Kate hesitated. then went softly out |
of the room. She had never understood /
the queer, bitter nature of the girl, a |
bitterness so strangely interviewer with |
a love of all that was beautiful in |
art and music. Yet vaguely she had |
sensed her isolation in that happy,
healthy. vigorous family, after the
death of her father. Perhaps too, she |
guessed what Walt never dreamed of,
why Violet rarely looked him in the
eyes.
For an instant Mrs. COPYRIGHT hesi-
tated. too. She wished she had taken
Violet with her. The girl was moody
over impUlsive1y, and took her close in
aer arms Violet chung to her almost