True Loves Reward | Page 4

very much regretted that Mrs. Vanderheck should have been
subjected to so much unpleasantness in connection with the unfounded
suspicion.
The case was then dismissed without further discussion, and the lady
behaved in the most generous and amiable manner toward both Mr.
Cutler and Mr. Palmer.
She said it was not at all strange that she should have been suspected,
under the circumstances, and she bore them no ill-will on account of
the arrest. She was only annoyed that any publicity had been given to
the matter. She even laughingly accused Ray of having suspected her
on the evening of Mr. Merrill's reception, and then she explained the
cause of her own strange behavior on that occasion. She had read of the
Palmer robbery and the circumstances of his being kidnapped, and she
realized at once, upon being introduced to him when he had
mispronounced her name, that his suspicions had fastened upon her.
She shook hands cordially with Mr. Cutler, and remarked that, while
she experienced some vexation and mortification over the discovery
that the crescents were spurious, the imposition had taught her a lesson,

and she should henceforth purchase her diamonds of a reliable dealer in
such articles.
"But," she added, gayly, "I shall never see a diamond crescent after this
without asking the owner to allow me to examine it. I believe I shall
turn detective myself and try to ferret out the original ones if they are
still in existence."
She bowed smilingly to the three gentlemen, and passed out of the
room, leaning upon the arm of her husband.
"Well, Ray," Mr. Palmer remarked, as they wended their way to the
store, "we may as well give up our diamonds once for all; I have not the
slightest hope that we shall ever see them again. If we ever do find
them," he added, with an arch glance, "I'll present them to your wife on
her wedding day--that is, if they come to light before that event
occurs."
"Then my wife is to have no diamonds unless the stolen ones are
found?" Ray responded, in a tone of laughing inquiry.
"I did not mean to imply that, my boy," Mr. Palmer responded. "I will
present your wife with diamonds, and fine ones, too, when I am
introduced to her."
"Then I will give you three months in which to make your selection,"
Ray retorted, with animation.
"Whew! you are hopeful, my son, or else you have had good news of
your lady-love," the elder gentleman exclaimed, with surprise. "You
are a sly dog, and I thought you seemed happier than usual, when you
came to Hazeldean. You must tell me more about it when you have
time. But three days will be time enough for my selections for your
wife, and she shall have the stolen ones also, if they are ever
recovered."
Mr. Rider was the most disappointed one of the whole party, for he had
been so sure of his game; while he had been doggedly persistent for

over three years in trying to hunt down the tricky woman, who had
imposed upon Justin Cutler, and it was a bitter pill for him to swallow,
to discover, just as he believed himself to be on the verge of success,
that he was only getting deeper into the mire.
"She is the keenest-witted thief I ever heard of," he muttered, moodily,
when the case was dismissed, "but if I could only get track of some of
the Palmer diamonds there might be some hope for me even now, for I
firmly believe that the same woman is at the bottom of all three thefts."
He would not take anything from Mr. Cutler for what he had done or
tried to do, although the gentleman offered to remunerate him
handsomely for his labor.
"I've earned nothing, for I've accomplished nothing," he said,
dejectedly. "I feel, rather, as if I ought to pay your expenses on from
the West, for it's been only a wild-goose chase."
"I had other business, aside from this, which called me to New York, so
don't feel down at the mouth about the trip," Mr. Cutler kindly replied.
"I am going to remain in the city for a few weeks, then I go to Havana
to meet my sister, who has been spending the winter in Cuba for her
health."
The same week Mrs. Vanderheck appeared at a select ball, wearing
more diamonds than any one had ever before seen upon her at once; but
after that one brilliant appearance it was remarked that she was
becoming more subdued in her tastes, for she was never again seen in
New York with such an expensive display of gems.
CHAPTER II.
A STORMY INTERVIEW.
After their return from Hazeldean, Mrs. Montague seemed to forget