Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-01
4AxaA*4A* - = 4 : 4 : n

ton and was standing at the curb
waiting for a taxicab to draw up. when
a small boy-a street arab-darted to-
ward her from the other side of the
street, and thrusting into her hand
something small and hard, cried
breathlsesly. as he slipped away: It's
yours, ma'am; you dropped it," Aston
ished. for she had not been conscious of
any loss, she looked down at her treas
ure trove and found 1t to be a small
medallion which she sometimes wore
on a chain at her belt. But she had
not worn 1t that day, nor any day for
weeks. Then she remembered. She had
worn it a month before to a similar re-
of young girls had stood about her ad-
miring it-she remembered well who
they were; the Inseparables. of course,
and to please them she had slipped ii
from its chain. Then something had
happened something which diverted
her attention entirely and she had
gone home without the medallion; had,
I'm fact forgotten 1T, only to recall its
loss now. Placing 1t in her bag. she
looked hastily about her. A crowd was
at her back; nothing to be distinguish
ed there. But in front. on the opposite
side Of the street, stood a clubhouse,
and In one of it's windows she perceived
solitary figure. looking out. 1t was
that OF Miss DriscolPs father. He could
imagine her conclusion
In vain he denied all knowledge of
the matter. She told him other storie S
which had come to her ears of thefts
as mysterious. followed by restorations
as peculiar as this one, finishing with
1T is your daughter. and people are
beginning to say So"
And Miss Strange, brooding over these
instances, would have said the same,
but for Miss Driscoll's absolute seren-
ment to love. These seemed incom-
patible with guilt: these, whatever
the appearances, proclaimed Innocence
and innocence she was here to prove
II fortune favored and the really guilty
persons madness should again break
forth.
For madness 1t would be and nothing
less, Tor any hand, even the most ex-
perienced, to draw attention to itself nv
repltltion OF old tricks on an occasion
SO marked Yet because it would take
madness. and madness knows no law
she prepared herself for the contingency
under mask of girlish smiles which
made her at once the delight and as
tonlshment of her watchful and uneasy
host.
With the exception of the diamonds
worn by the ambassadors wife. there
was but one jewel of consequence tn he
seen at the dinner that night; but how
great was that consequence and with
neck 1t adorned!
MISS Strange, in compliment to the
noble foreigners, had put on one OF her
FAMILY hefrlooms-a fligree pendant of
extraordinary sapphires which had once
belonged to Marie Antoinette. AS its
beauty flashed upon the women. and its
value struck the host, the latter couid
not restrain himself from casting an
anxious eye about the board in search
or some token of the cupidity with
winch one person there must welcome
TINS unexpected sight.
Naturally his first glance fell unon
Alicia, seated opposite to him at the
other end of the table. But her ewes
were elsewhere, and. her smile for
Capt. Holiday, and the fathers gaze
travelled on. taking up each young
girls face In turn. All were contem-
plating Miss Strange and her Jewels.
and the cheeks of one were flushed and
those of the others pale. but whether
with dread or longing who could tell.
Struck with foreboding, but alive to
his duty as host, he forced his glances
away. and did not even allow himself
to question the motive or the wisdom
of the temptation thus offered.
Two hours later and the girls were
ell in one room It was custom of
the Inseparables to meet for q chat be-
fore retiring, always alone and In the
room of one of their number. But
this was a night OF Innovations: Violet
was not only included. but the meeting
was held III her room. Her way with