The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1907-08-21 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

DIP. "Mrs. Doterfielde is by nature a candid and almost impulsively frank woman. Her beautiful face has never learned to &inns Isle, to deceive; at least this ie how I read her, and this is why ehe, while struggling gallantly, has not been able to quite conceal, front me at levet, her present embarrassment. That elie has: a secret, concernwig this affair, or that there is some one whom she suspects, or connects with it, I asyured!" Here followed a brief description of the diamond..., and then followed this last item( "The servants. They are old and trusted eon-ante; doubtless hottest toe, though this 'snot to- he taken foe granted. That is. all but one, That one. Josephine Bryce, also has a secret, which I must learn." On an opposite page I had written thus: "Queries—Why did Mrs. D-- omit a part of the het of lost, jewels?—Why did the, though quite ill, insist upon coming to *he library. while I questioned the servants? Why did she dismiss Josephine Bryce?" I put aside my half-reviewed notes, to ponder. What a strange situation! Here was a kindly mistress, patient, never hasty in her judgment, a -woman whose life had been throughout a fair white page. Aud yet, erase an hour after discovering the lose of her rate' and costly jewels, he had summarily dismissed, without queetion. and seemingly for a trivial causes, one of her household. And We one, I felt almost certain, was gifted with some of the sterling qualities of her charming mistress, candour frankness, and faith in her kind. How simple it all looked—by daylight! 'And then I laughed. with a hint of sellcontempt in the laughter, and, taking down what I had named my "book of beauty," I began to glance from page to page. Here were pictures of rare beauty, appealing eyes, Madonna faces, smiles almost angelic, and sedates that spoke of martyrdom. and yet—all this loveliness was as of whited sepulchres, sinners all! criminals all! The long list of their misdoings ranging all the way from petty theft to coldblooded murder. "Kenneth," I admonished my inner self. "don't try to play the child again, act! A beautiful woman is as much a riddle as the sphinx, even when you think you know her well! even a raw country girl!" And then I started and turned about in baste. I had heard the voice of an old friend through the slowly opening office door. I had not lost touch with Captain Wrayland, since the days that had lent 60 strong a shaping force to ray life. Always socially inclined, he had almost Imperceptibly drifted into the pleasant circle in which his mister was both promiwent.and porpuUr.  . • Men leaving theooluitry he had retained certain business imterosts which now and than required his presence upon various boards" and at .certain conferences. He was a liberal patron of the opera and a. faithful member of his.c.lnh. but he always found time to look in upon me now mint then.  The captain had been.libsent from the city for the past two months, hie duty an his pleasure taking hi na .across the continent in the wake of Mrs. Devereaux, who was given to frequent ehort flittings. For the plump and still &sliming little lady, at the age of fifty-two, was, brisk and alert, as curious, and full of interest in the externals, as strong and electric with the pure joy of life. as if she were still eeventeen. ' .  Certainly "Sister Aggie."•Bs; the captain liked to call her, was a welhof comfort and content to this otherwise lonely man, and they were the best of comrades, and confidants. Since Captain Wrayland's.return we had met but once and that for-only a brief exchange of greetings. and I was heartily glad in spite of a most intarading occupation to see him cross my threshold once more. _• _ .  Still this was an unusual hour for the captain to call. and I was thinking as much as we repeated the usual conventionalities. producing in the meantime the inevitable cigars.