The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-05-08
Continued from page g.,
DICKS DIAMONDS.

my Slgn-mdnAal, 3He 5tlQ, SBrlmly, anu
tip-toeing upstairs to bed through an
unbroken silence, he locked his door,
and was soon as sound asleep as If
nothing had happened
He had survived too many perilous
adventures to be disturbed by what
might have an innocent explanation;
at worst, some one had entered and
departed through the window, foiled
in an attempt to acquire his keys, his
pocket-book, his watch, or clue to
the whereabouts of his valuables. So
he slept peacefully until morning.
After. he had breakfasted, he heard
Alices light step in the hall, and sal
lied forth to find her filling vases and
bowls with flowers. She returned his
Good morning in chilly accents, and
without looking round.
"Have you and Mrs. Kenrick decided
when may escort you to Grasmore to
gaze on WORDSWORTH grave?" he ask
ed, not at all displeased by her de-
meanor; he argued that if she were in
different to him, she would not be at
the trouble of trying to freeze him.
what good would that do?" she
asked, abstractedly.
II wasn't thinking of good to be
done, but of the pleasure to be derived
from contemplation of that spot"
''I didn't know that you felt like that
towards Wordsworth" said she.
DO you know how l feel towards
you?" he asked, drawing nearer and
lowering his voice.
81 am too busy to talk, Mr. Penton;
please excuse me-" she said, catching
up her tray of flowers to retreat, and
as she did so he saw with sense of
shock that the soft color of her cheek
was marred by small, newly-made
scar; his brain reeled; what horrid
complication was here?"
"You-you have hurt your face" he
said.
ooh, it's nothing" she replied, hur-
riedly, and moved quickly to the back
regions, whittier he could not follow.
He snatched up his hat, and went
out to the blithe and breathing air,
feeling that fresh breezes were neces-
sary to the clearing of his brain.
What was the meaning of it all?
What was the solution of the vexa.
tious little mystery? Had Alice really
been the midnight intruder? 1t had
been impossible to recognize the face,
mere white patch in the darkness.
"If it was Alice, she meant no harm, .
he told himself in loves unreasoning
loyalty.
He paced along Marine Parade, his
thoughts in tangle, himself out OF
tune with happy sights and sounds. II
was with kind of grim satisfaction
that he discerned the thin form of Mr.
Gibson detaching itself from a group
surrounding the pierrots, and he lay in
wait, resolved to demand an eXplana.
ton at the point of. the sword, SO to
speak. Mr.. Gibson nodded recogni
ton, but did not seem disposed to de-
lay. VI
When l saw you logging about my
might have some business with me,
said Dick significantly.
Its not you, Mr.. Penton, it's-er-
the lady. had good deal of trouble
before located her.. after tracing hel
to Southport But when had found
you, thought she wouldn't be far off. :
Look here, Gibson, are you trying
to be Impairment"
mo, sir, it isn't impertinence; it is
just that you don't understand" said
Gibson, patiently; Il am keeping Mrs
Wharton under observation for rea
sons l may as we'll give you, though
think the need for putting you on your
guard is over. She is an accomplished
member of the swell mob. She was
suspected of being concerned in the
theft of Lady Ross jewels, and o.
| carrying them off to Gonfederates il
Cape Town. / followed her, but
though watched her closely for some
time, failed to bring the charge home
to her. | daresay you can see her pur
pose in laying herself out to attract
you and gain your confidence on the
return voyage"
But" stammered the bewilderet
Dick, she warned me against you'll
"Of course; that's part of her game
She knew that if necessary | would
tell you her antecedents. | may say
| that saw her at concert last night
| and gave her a hint that she was rath