The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-03-07
RECOVERED JEWELS.
BY ELLEN R. MORIARITY.


was spread on the tray ready to be
taken into the dining room. | looked
up and saw that missus was crying.
Robert" she said again, !" [ can't
bear to think of that poor young
creature locked up in the library. I
am going to help her to escape, and
you must aid me.
came near letting the tray drop
from my hands-and / believe missus
would have smiled at the stare [ gave
her, if she was not so down hearted.
"I have just been in the dining
ROOM" she continued, and the key
of the library is on the table near Sir
John. You must slip it away and
bring it to me"
But, missus-"
L will bear all the blame if we are
discovered. You have rothing to
fear-and, oh! be quick, for time is
fying!"
It was not fear made me hesitate.
1t was delight at the prospect of saw
ing her. My heart was bleeding for
the poor young girl that half an hour
before had been locked into the
library with the brand of thief upon
her character. Three days before
her pretty face made her the
envy of all the women in the house,
and now that she was fallen, not one
had a good word for her.
Only think of herl says cook,
few minutes before, when / was in the
kitchen" think of her trapsing off
to Dublin with all of missus's fine
Jewels and laces. Her muslin caps
and blue ribbons were not fine enough
for my lady, but she must want the
laces and the diamonds. l wonder
she didn't take her pick out of the
silks and the satins, too. She'll be
transported for life, / hear"
Then whole chorus of the other
women joined in saying, such punish
ment was too good for her. Well, |
always noticed what bitter spite
when she does anything out of the
way-especially if the poor creature
happens to be pretty.
1t was with a beating heart | went
into the dining room Master was
there with Sir John, who was the
magistrate, and who had been sent
for as soon as Mary Lynch was caught.
Master was not what you would call
hard man, but he expected every
one about him to do his duty. He
would not do anything wrong him
self, and he thought every one else
ought to be like him. But Heaven
help us he had never been put in the
way of temptation; and who can judge
of his own strength until he is tried.
He was talking to Sir John about
Mary and her black ingratitude to
missus How missus had taken her
into the house partly against his wish,
because her family had a bad name,
but her innocent face blinded the
missus, and she took her, saying it
was pity jewel like that should be
hidden in the rough stone of common
life. Then / heard him tell Sir John
the laces she had taken were very
valuable-and the diamonds, at the
least, were worth ten thousand
pounds; and what fortunate thing
it was they were all recovered.
While they were talking, managed
| to get possession of the key and gave
it to missus, who was waiting for it
| outside the door.
may as well tell now what happen
! ed when missus went into the library.
1 heard it long afterwards from Mary
Lynch herself.
Mary said that she heard the door
opening, and thinking they were COM
ing to take her before Sir John, she
fell on her knees and laid her face in
her hands. Then she heard missus
say Mary" in her own sweet voice.
Mary said if missus had come to
reproach her for her conduct, she
could have borne it better. She was
not prepared for that kindness, good
as she knew dear missus to be, so she
dropped right down on her face, and
lay there, poor thing, holding mis-
sus's gown in both her hands.
Mary, my poor girl, said missus,
Il do not blame you as much
as l blame myself. I ought
never to have exposed you to
such terrible temptation. But
trusted you then, and I'll trust you
yet"
Trust me! o missus!" sobbed
poor Mary.
Yes, Mary, you know your own
weakness now-and in future will
know how to guard against it. / am 60
ing to get you away from here; it is
our only chance while the gentlemen
are in the dining room. But first you
must promise me-put both your
hands in mine, and look at me, Mary
now promise me that with the help of
Gods grace you will resist temptation
hereafter" And Mary, almost chok-
ing with sorrow and shame, promised
her dearsmissus all that she required
OF her. Then missus, after making
sure that no one was in the way, took
MAR! up stairs into her own room, and
opS hg the armoire, made her go in