The daily Alaskan., 1914-02-19


 blind and did not see her. Feeling sure that he had been giving way to bis idiosyncrasy, as soon as she entered the chamber she looked about her to see if any articles were missing Pull ing open a drawer of the dresser where she had placed her jewels the night be- fore, she saw that they were gone. Turning to window. she saw the duke walking us fast as his old legs would carry him away from the house. Seizing a wrap and fur cup, she hur- rled downstairs and out of doors just in time to see his grace disappearing within forest not far away. Follow ing him, she caught sight of him put ting something in the trunk of a hol- low tree. As soon as he had gone Miss Ashurst went to the tree, thrust her arm into the aperture and pulled out a handful of jewels. But what made her gasp for breath was that they were not all hers. Indeed, the bulk of them evidently belonged to other guests, | Miss Ashurst perceived at once that the situation was delicate. It was evil dent to her that the young marquis, far from being satisfied to have his guests know his fathers in1rmity, would be dreadfully shocked at this case of wholesale thIeYery. What &C., tion should she take In the matter2 She looked over the articles and | thought she could name the owners of nearly all of them. She decided to take them back to the house and en- deavor to replace them In the rooms from which they had been taken. But in doing this she must run the risk of being caught with the jewels in her possession and placed in the position of thief
 One of the house party, the Lady Augusta Trimmingham, was evidently ambitious to be the Marchioness of Scarsdale and the future Duchess of ChippertOn. Miss Ashurst had re- stored all the jewels to the different rooms to which they belonged, except some rings belonging to Lady Augusta, without being detected. She was in Lady Augustus room in the act of placing the articles in her jewel case when who should enter but their | owner
 There was a triumphant look on the latter's face when she saw that one she had begun to fear as rival was Tn her power. Maria AshurBt's heart sank within her. for she knew that without accusing the real thief she was disgraced. But what at the mo ment she feared most was that Lady Augusta would make the matter 50 public that the hosts would feel oblig- ed to m8ks an investigation, which. though it might exonerate her, would bring ont the real culprit to their mor- l tification.
 Miss Ashurst left the room without excusing herself for being there, and Lady Augusta spoke no word, but later the former returned and said:
 If consent to leave here at once will you promise to keep my belng in your room over your jewel box se- cretT
 q will make no promise" was the cool reply.
 Miss Ashurst straightway made her preparations to leave the grange, for she knew that her stay there after what had happened would be prac- tically impossible. She told her hosts that news from America would neces- sitate her return to London before fin ishing her visit. and she departed by | the next train. But before going she knew that Lady Augusta had spread the story of her disgrace, for she found herself cut by most of the other guests.
 Had Lady Augusta Trimmingham been content with driving Maria Ash urst away without going any further 1t is quite probable that the marquis | would never have known the sacrifice the latter had made for him. He did not get the story from Lady Augusta direct. She preferred to acquire cred 1t for not mentioning 1t, but she told so many others that 1t could not fail to reach him.
 For the moment he was thunder struck. Then he began to wonder what 1t meant. Miss Ashurst would have no interest in stealing few jew els, for she was rich in her own right Something must be back of 1t all. He must see her at once.
 Giving out that especial business called him to London, he took an aft ernoon train, promising to return the same night. Reaching the city, he re- paired at once to Miss Ashurst's resi- | dence.
 What is the meaning of this af. fairP he asked.
 What affairT
 "Your being In Lady Augusta Trim mingham's room over her jewel case"
 Tt means that was there"
 For what purpose? You certainly did not intend to steal her jewels"
 "Certianly did not"
 AS one who has been your host l have a right to an explanation"
 And I, who have been your guest, have right to demand that If I give you an explanation you will believe