The diamond drill., 1921-07-16

The beauty OF the lady so Inn
pressed Sir Charles that he sent his
servant to learn her identity. and the
man brought back word that she was
Mrs. Ernest vane. A deadly weapon
was thus placed In Sir Charles hands.
but he refrained from making public
his information until the proper mo-
ment A banquet had been arranged
by Mr.. vane In honor OF Peg Voting
ton and Sir Charles managed to have
Mrs. vane appear when the festivities
were at their height.
His scheme was successful and the
effect of Mrs. vane's advent was elec-
trical. Mr.. vane. not knowing that
bis wife was N town. was filed with
CONSERVATION. but Pegs taet did not
desert her even In this trying moment
and she introduced those present as
members OF the nobility. Mrs. vane
was not suspicious, and accepted the
situation In good faith. but Tripict.
who had brought verses In honor Of
Miss Wellington, and being unaware Of
Mrs. Vane's identity, revealed the true
facts and the wife was heartbroken.
As for Peg, she was furious Mt the
deception placed upon her. She fully
believed that Mr.. vane was free to
WOO her and then In n moment. her
dreams were rudely shattered and her
faith In mankind destroyed She de-
termined 10 take desperate revenge.
She would keep vane at her side In
spite Of the wife and then. when he
was firmly In her tolls, she would pub
licly discard him. Filled with these
thoughts she went to Triplet's studio
where the portrait he had painted was
10 be exhibited.
The first glance showed the picture
2 be q wretched f9Ilure. and even
Triplet acknowledged his defeat. But
there was no time to lose. for the
critics were already approaching the
studio Peg. with a sudden inspira-
tion, cut the face from the pQxty2iJ
and, having arranged the draperies so
that her body would be concealed, she
placed her own features In the aper-
ture. The comments OF the connois-
seurs were iudicrous, some declaring
there was not the slightest resem-
blance 10 the original, others that the
flesh tints were imperfect. and still
others that the drawing was out OF
all proportions. When the opinions
had been expressed. Peg came from
behind the easel and expressed her
views In true Milesian manner.
Peg remained after the others had
departed and fold Triplet of her In
tentions toward Mr. Vane. Unexpect-
edly Mrs. Vane knocked at the door
of the studio. She had been followed
by Sir Charles Pomander and had
sought refuge from his attentions. Peg
had no desire 10 meet Mrs. Vane. but
there was not sufficient time 10 es-
cape so once more she went behind
the easel and placed her face In the
portrait. Mrs. vane. after explain
ing her presence, noticed the picture
and exclaimed:
'You are great artist. Mr.. Triplet,
the likeness actually breathes. oh
that she were here. instead OF this
wonderful image of her. would speak
TO her. l am not wise or learned, but
orators never pleaded as would plead
to her for my Ernest's heart"
She paused for moment and then.
addressing the picture, continued:
"Oh. yes, you are beautiful, you are
gifted. and the eyes OF thousands wait
on your every word and look. What
49, he ~An
genial, should lay his heart at your
feet2 cannot take him from you
but oh. be generous to the weak and
give him back 10 mel Give him back
10 me- beautiful, terrible woman. and /
will love you longer than men can
lovei"
Suddenly she started back with
wild scream.
"It is allvew she cried. and run
ming 10 Triplet, hid her face on his
shoulder.
For Peg had been so affected by the
plteous appeal of the heart.broken
woman that with all her self-control
she could not check the tears which
coursed down her cheeks. Peg or
dered Triplet TO leave the room and
when the two women were alone Peg
turned 10 Airs. vane and said calmly:
IL trust. madam, you will do me
the justice to believe did not know
Mr.. Vane was mnrriedT
IT am sure Of it, replied Mrs. vans.
"you are as good as you are gifted"
Peg then promised TO so degrade
herself In vane's eyes that he would
leave her in disgust, but to this plan
Mrs. Vane refused TO agree. Finally
Peg arrayed herself In Mrs. vane's
cloak and hood. threw a note from the
window to Sir Charles, who was wait
ing below. which they knew would
bring that worthy into the room. and
then dispatched Triplet TO summon
Mr.. vane 20 the studio, Mrs. vane CON
cealing herself In an adjoining apart
-. Ill A.. he