The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-08-23

an air that grew more and more startled; and at th
end Of his disqusition their voices loud in d.
nunciation Of Mr.. Eppstein.
In the middle of it Peter left them to meet hi
stepmother coming from the house I'm afraid EpE
STEMS emerald is going to spoil your party, Manner
culus" he said
In a few we1-chosen words Lady Cartrell toll
Peter her opinion of him; from frequent repetition
the formula had become practically stereotyped.
On Of the croquet lawns he found Helen ant
Colonel Brown playing croquet
'The sutton is not going at all strong at present
said Peter taking slow, luxurious pull at his excel
lent cigar.
Both Of them smiled him kindly
$50 you countermand the Lochinvar motor car
Which of you going to hire it," said Peter turn
ing their smiles to confusion.
~"I do think you're silly" said Helen.
WELL well, you needn't blush quite so hard fol
my Stiffness, old girl" said Peter; and he stroled or
through the strawberries, enjoying the peace of the
garden.
When he came back to the Court he found it's atmos
phere all that he had desired. His stepmother's
guests had been forcing on one another the most
elaborate accounts of their movements before break
fast with the intention Of avertng all possible sus-
picion from themselves; and they were now at the
stage Of fixing suspicion the persons they CHANGED
severally to dislike. Some Of them talking of
leaving at and they prevented from putting
the intention into effect only by the desire to be
the spot to the upshot Of the matter.
The atmosphere oppressed most deeply Mr.. Eppsten.
He had to his own thinking, been making admirable
progress in this exalted circle He had found
himself welcome when he joined any group of takers
and had dispensed to it Stock Exchange tips with
gracious, ford loneliness. He had observed with
pleasure that his hearers hung his lips. Now all
this was changed He in the position Of the
wounded animal expelled from the herd His fellow
guests had Cartre Court to enjoy themselves
not to express sad sympathy with persons robbed Of
emeralds Moreover, thanks to Peters disqusition
the danger of circumstantial evidence, he was
further Stunned source Of danger. Groups
melted when he Joined them. Solitary guests tore
themselves hurriedy away from him on the hmsiest
pretexts
Darker and darker suspicious filed his mind. He
saw himself the victim Of plot; his fellow-guests
were in a conspiracy to rob him. He had read many
society stories with view to obtain Information to
guide him along the social path. He had learned
from them that society is adventurous and light
fingered. He his fellow-guests dividing the pro-
ceeds sale of his emerald, his beloved emerald.
Looking them in its green light, he became aware
that many Of them had faces of the criminal type.
A great pity for himself flied him; he felt that it
Eppsten against the world, and he could have
wept for the lonely Eppstein
While he in this forlorn mood Peter descended
on him, bland and sympathetic He babe him cheer
up he foretold conviction the outwitting of tho
thief Mr.. Eppstein's heart went out to him. Then
when they firmly established in the position Of
two generous souls united to right the wrong Peter
said, "How would it be to keep eye on the gates
and that one sneaks down to the village to
send the emerald away by post?"
That's good idea :" cried Mr.. Eppstein; and
without more ado they walked brskly down to the
lodges.
There Peter left him, charging him to stroll up and
down with a careless air, and to let lure him
from his watch any pretext, assuring him that he
would keep his eyes open at the Court By way Of
performing that feat he set about Of croquet
with Syb Carstairs the pretes Of his stepmother's
guests. In the middle of it Colonel Brown
on the lawn, alone and disconsolate. Lady Cart
rell had swooped down them and carried Helen
away.
Presently Peter stepped aside to him and suggested
that he might be kind to Mr.. Eppstein said that
he incoming unhappily about down by the lodges;
and painted his fororn state in affecting terms Would
the Colonel be good fellow and bring him back
to play a game of billiards? The Colonel had the
heartiest detestation Of his rival, but he carried
kind heart in his huge frame. He said that he
would, and strobe off down to the lodges
There was no ore Mr.. Eppstein would sooner have
suspected than the Colonel, in whom he recognized
serious obstacle to his social advancement by
riage with Helen; and at the sight Of him his heart
beat fast. He at once suspected him Of trying to
sneak away with the emerald and when he heard
Of his invitation to to play billiards. his
picion became certainty 1t was an attempt to lure
him from his watch. He refused the invitation with
an asperity which made the very Of the Colones
boots itch to kick him. The temptation so strong
that he had to turn on his heel and depart briskly
lest he should succumb to it. He came back to
Peter and explained with heat to what extent
Mr.. Eppsteins loss had brought out his natural Of
fensveness. Peter condoled with him his repulse,
and twenty minutes later, at the end Of his
game, he went to the grocer prince.
Assuming puzzled air. lie said, you haven't by
any chance seen Brown
"Tes, I've seen him." said Mr. Eppstein darby