Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-06-29
palled even Birge Moreaux.

mas father was multimillionaire and
that the daughter had ever been un-
stinted in her allowances; but he had
expected no such revelation as this.
Nevertheless, he devoted no more
than passing glances upon the various
treasures of that strange room.
He had gone there to seek the miss
ing wedding-prcsents-f ever since
that time when he had painted Lor-
mas portrait while she was still a
girl, ever since she had gone into such
raptures over the wire-gold raja's
bracelet, with its setting of single
ruby, and had insisted that it should
appear on her arm in the portrait,
Dirge Moreaux had known her as one
who was obsessed by mania for
jewels-a jewel worshiper!
Upon one occasion, two years be-
fore that night, he had met her in
the street when she was returning to
her home from the studio which her
father had purchased for her, and
which she had reconstructed accord
ing to her own designs; for she was
an enthusiastic student of sculpture,
and had demonstrated considerable
talent in the art even then. She had
at the time, carried Il little silver
bound book under her arm, and in a
burst of confidence when he had ask
ed her, what is inside of the little
book with the licked clasps, Lorna?"
she had replied:
"It holds all Of my most precious
secrets, Mr.. MoreauX."
And so, when the wedding presents
disappeared so mysteriously at the
reception, Moreaux had at once sur
missed that they had been taken by
none other than the bride, and that
she had reported the loss to him the
better to cover up her crime against
herself.
And MoreauX had taken this round
because he believed that the outcome
OF it would result in an absolute cure
of her mania.
He had confidently anticipated find
ing, the lost jewels in the secret room
Of Lorna's studio. He had not at all
expected to find HER there.
But Lorna WAS there, notwithstand-
ing the fact that she was supposed to
| be travelling westward in her faith
er's private car-and quick though
thorough search convinced MoreauX
that the lost jewels were not there.
A slight sound attracted him, and
he turned quickly.
Cd, IT,,
Of the jewel room, clinging with
clenched fingers to the casing. Her
face was as white as alabaster Her
eyes were wide, frightened, appealing.
Her lips parted, and she breathed
spasmodically.
Moreaux went quickly to her, and
he led her gently and unresistingly
again to the lounging-room.
Wait moment, Lorna" he said
then, "and don't be frightened" and
he returned to the jewel-room,
snapped off the lights, closed the steel
door, twirled the dial, drew the tapes
try into place over it, and went back
to her.
His first question was a natural
one. How does it happen that find
you here?" he asked her.
She did not weep, but she stared
long and intently at him before she
replied. Then:
~ - I was half crazed by the
thought that the wire-gold bracelet,
the lavalier, and the other jewels
might not have been delivered -
might be lost" she faltered, still star
Ing into Moreaux's eyes unblinkingly.
Il was possessed by the fear of it.
We were detained two hours at De.
troit. Jerry left me alone to make
some purchases. A through train to
New York was standing upon another
track, ready to pull out. l scribbled
a hasty note to Jerry, seized my little
handbag, and-I came back here on
that train.
II told Jerry to wait there for me.
explained to him in that note l wrote
exactly why was returning. l told
him the truth-that had stolen my
own jewels. 1t was incoherent; but
1t was plain, and it was the truth.
When I arrived in New York tele-
graphed to him to go to a telephone
at the Wayne hotel across the street.
Then waited two hours, and talked
to him. He will wait there for me.
lie says he understands. Oh, isn't
he good? Isn't he?
Then 1 came here. l don't know
what time it was-midnight, I think,
or later"
| But Lorna, why did you come heref
Surely, you did not expect to find the
jewels here? You had no opportunity
to bring them here from the recep-
tion," Moreaux said quietly.
mo. But did put them in a round
leather case. which / wrapped and
addressed to myself. Then l wrap
ped that and addressed it to the wo-