The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1913-05-17
CHAPTER XXI,
The MjdniQht Watch.

The Midnight Watch.
knocked upon Natalie's door; Min
cite opened it. Instead Of finding Ma
talie in bed, as l expected. she was
sitting near an open window. surprts-
ingly rosy.
Can l do anything for your" in
CURED
Nothing. thanks, unless you'll stay
| and talk to me-" she replied. rather
cordially. Il feel quite we'll and
| cheerful and can't account for faint
ing. Won't you sit down? It's sweet
| of you to come, dear"
l looked after Minette's retreating
| figure.
Il came to ask you a question-an
impertinent question" l said frankly,
for it was that. and | hated to be
hypocritical about it. But I'd like to
stay with you If you really care to
have me. l hope you'll think I'm In
terested and not curious. Did you
miss any of your jewels when-when
you fainted?"
MOP"
| l eau Say CQdL l was SUI VI AScus
know felt absurdly relieved.
I'm awfully glad. 1t looked SO very
much like-once before, that | was
afraid you had"
You have no cause for worry. You
were not even there. my dear"
"Oh, MOI" l exclaimed. Il was not
thinking Of myself"
I'm going to tell you something
she said suddenly. something l had
decided to keep to myself. It's true
did not miss anything when l tainted.
but I was not wearing all my jewels.
Tonight l yielded to an impulse In
wearing them. l had what the poker
players call a bunch. l was sure If
left them here they would be taken.
But there were too many, they looked
absurd. and at the last moment re-
moved six bracelets, a pendant and
rope of pearls" She arose and cross
ed to her dressing-table. I've been
keeping everything locked since the
ruby was lost Every day have put
the jewel box In a different place. To-
night, when l decided to leave some
of the Jewels behind, put them In the
box, yielded to another impulse, and
slipped the box under the pillow on
my bed, where 1t never had been be-
fore l didn't lose anything when l
tainted, but the jewel box Is empty"
She opened 1t.
Poor Natalie!
But you must tell IT," urged when
had sufficiently recovered from the
shock of it. TITS too important not
to. Everybody here is in danger IN
less" l did not go on. but involun-
tarily l glanced at the door where
Minette had gone out
Il will not suspect Minette." she
said firmly, noticing the action. "She
was with my mother when l was born,
and she doesn't steal. There are a
thousand ways to prove her inno-
cent"
knew that in the same thought l
suspected her, and remembered
Laura's argument that Minette was
not at the reception in town, or the
Abercrombies'. Also that at the very
minute the ruby was stolen Minette
was giving Natalie massage. Min.
cite distinctly was innocent.
mo, shall not tell It." Natalie pur.
sued. mot yet, anyhow, it's too alb.
surd. And I shall rely upon your dis
erection, my dear. When we see what
happens to Mr.. Abbott, then"
| I came to my feet with an exclama-
ton.
You believe Mr. Abbott guilty."
II refuse to believe anything" she
replied coolly.
81 beg your pardon" l said. but
thought you once told me you were
sure Mr.. Abbott was not thief"
THAT was before l knew about the
emerald bracelet. My dear. can't
reasonably believe he's innocent now
There isn't another emerald bracelet
like that in the world. Detectives
found 1t in Mr.. Abbott's possession
he doesn't deny 1t: he can't"
But they didn't find the ruby. and
, whatever 1t was you lost at the Aber
combies,'" protested.
"A sapphire and a diamond brace
, let" she sighed.
And before that? He's shielding
some one" burst out. Il know 1t:
feel sure Of It."
"Who?"
shook my head Every time