look----"

Elsie thrust out her arm.

"Look at mine," she said.

"No, no; Bessie's has a different design. I want to see that. Show me
yours, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth did not stir. Whiter she could not grow, but a hopeless
despair settled over her face, pitiful to witness.

"Can't you show me your bracelet?" demanded her husband, with natural
impatience.

"I haven't it," she faltered.

"Why, I saw it on your arm at dinner!"

"Oh, don't bother, Grant," interposed Elsie; "talking about devices,
when one is half asleep."

"Elizabeth, where is your bracelet?" demanded her husband, imperiously.

The exigency of the case gave her courage.

"I have lost it," she said, her voice sounding fairly indifferent from
the effort she made at composure.

"Lost it!" he repeated. "How? Where?"

"While I was out----"

"She was just beginning to tell me when you came in," interrupted Elsie.
"We are both frightened to death, so don't scold."

"Such unpardonable carelessness," continued Mr. Mellen. "At least,
Elizabeth, you need not appear so indifferent."

"I am sorry, very sorry," she answered coldly.

"Oh, if I had lost mine, I should be wretched," cried Elsie, kissing
hers. "You dear old bracelet!"

Elizabeth shot one terrible look at her, but was silent.

"I am glad that you at least prize my gift," said Mr. Mellen. "I suppose
you have not taken the trouble to search, Elizabeth?"

"I have had no time----"

"The moon is down," said Elsie.

"There are lanterns, I suppose."

He rang and ordered a servant to bring a lantern, went out and searched
for the missing ornament, while Elsie cowered over the hall fire and
Elizabeth stood, cold and white, in the way.

Clorinda came out of her domain while Mr. Mellen and Dolf were searching
the hall.

"Lost something marster?" she demanded, with the coolness peculiar to
her race.

"Missis has lost her bracelet," interposed Dolf.

"Laws!" cried Clorinda, not perceiving her mistress on the veranda. "I
neber seed nobody lose tings so; 'taint a month since she lost a di'mond
ring, and all she said, when her maid missed it, was, 'It can't be
helped.'"

This was an aside to Dolf, but Mr. Mellen heard the words plainly, so
did Elizabeth.

"I'll bet yer don't find it," pursued Clorinda. "I heerd steps early in
de evenin'; I knows I did, though missis called me a foolish cullud
pusson once when I told her of hearing 'em. Dar's thieves about, now;
member I tells yer!"