Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 268: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

replied the woman, coldly, “‘an prevent the action of the law.” “T return you your property, madam,” said the de- tective, passing the necklace to Mrs. Stewart. ‘‘lam glad, on your acconnt, that it was so readily re- covered. Itis evidently very valuable, and [I would advise you to guard it with double vigilance here- after. You understand, however, that it will have to be produced in court at the time of the trial. Come now, miss,” he added to Hazel, “you can get your- self ready at once to go with me.” “Oh!” cried the young girl, again turning to Mrs. Stewart, aud extending her hands pleadingly for her precious treasure, “you must not have that—it ts not yours ; 1 beg that you will give it back to me; it is’ the only thing, save those three little garments, by which [I cau prove wy identity, if I should ever meet my parents. I cannot part with it; truly, truly, it belonys to me!” Mrs. Stewart shrugged her shoulders impatiently. “Miss Gay, you would make a good actress,” she said, her lips curling with scorn. Then, she added, with more feeling, ‘‘I am both pained and shocked by this disgraceful occurrence. I have trusted you im- plicity, and made you as one of my family, believing you strictly conscientious, and that you were faithful in your duty to myself and my daughter,” “T am conscientious, and I have tried to be faithful, I have done no wrong,’ Hazel affirmed, with quiet dignity, having repressed her emotion regarding her necklace, for she saw that it was worse than useless to contend for it. “Mamma. I believe her, and I will never forgive vouif you let her go to prison. If you think it is yours, keep the necklace—oh! why were they not both marked ; though I am not sure that you have any right toit: but save Hazel from the ehaine. ot an arrest and atrial,’’ Belle eried, her face cr ave no power to