The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-12-03

landlordsin Alfred Place now gave to Mr.. Luher.
Both had been imposed on In the same way BY
the plausible address and the well-6lled purse OF
the respeotable stranger, who introduced himself
as acting for his foreign friends. The one
point Of difference between the two cases occur
red when the scattered contents Of Mr.. Luker's
pockets were being collected from the floor. His
watch and purse were safe. but (lcss fortunate
than Mr.. Godfrey one Of the loose papers that
he carried about him had been taken away. The
paper In question acknowledged the receipt OF .
valuable OF great price which Mr.. Luker had
that day LEFT In the care Of his bankers. This
document would be useless for purposes Of fraud,
inasmuch ss II provided that the valuable should
only be given up on the personal application OF
the Owner. As soon as he recovered himself,
Mr.. Luker hurried to the bank, on the chance
thstthe thieves who had robbed him might ig-
norantly present themselves with the receipt.
Nothing had been seen Of them when he arrived
at the establishment, and nothing was seen Of
them sfterward. Their respectable English
friend had lin the opinion Of the bankers) look
ed the receipt over before they attempted to
make use Of II, and had given them the neccssa-
ry warning In good time.
Information Of both outrages was communi-
Gated to The police, and the needful inyestiga-
tions were pursued, believe, with great ener-
~. The authorities held that robbery had
been plarncd, on insufficient information re-
ceiyed BY the thieves. They had been plainly
not sure whether Mr.. Luker had, or had not,
trusted the Transmission OF his precious gem to
another person, and poor, polite Mr.. Godfrey
had paid the penalty Of having been seen acci-
deHtally speaking TO him.
was punctusl to the luncheon-hour on Tues
day. Reference to my diary shows this to have
been checkered dav-much In II TO be devout-
ly regretted, much in II to be deyoutly thankful
for.
Dear Aunt Verinder received me with her
usual grace and kindness. But noticed after
little while that something was wrong. Ger
tain anxious looks escaped my aunt, all Of which
took the direction Of her daughter. I never zee
Rachel myself without wandering how II can be
that 50 oinsignifcant-looking person should be
the child Of such distinguished parents rs Sir
John and Lady verinder. On this occasion,
however, she not only dissppointed-she really
shocked me. There was an absence OF all lady
like restraint in her language and manner most
painful to sec. Shc was possessed by some fe-
yerish excitement which made her distressingly
loud when she laughed, aud sinfully wastcful
and cspricious In what she ate and drank at
lunch
Luncheon over, my aunt said: Remember
what the doctor told you, Rachel, about quiet
ing yourself with book after taking your
meals.'
sI'll 70 into the library, mamma,' shc an
swered 'But II Godfrey calls, mind am told
of Il. L am dying for more news Of him, after
his adventure In Northumberland Street She
kissed her mother on the forehead, and looked
my way. 'Good-by, Clack = she said, careless
ly. Her insolencc reused no angry feeling In
me. only made private memorandum to
pray for her.
When We were left by ourselves my aunt told
me the whole horrible story Of the Indian Dia-
mond, which am happy to know. II Is not nee
csssry to repeat here. She did not conceal from
me that she would have prcferrci keeping 81
lence on the subject. But when her own SER
wants all knew Of the loss Of the Moonstone, and
when some Of the circumstances had actually
seasd their way into the ewspapcrs--when
stsangers were specializing whether there was
any connection between what had happened at
Lady Verinder's country house, and what had
happened in Northumberland Street and Alfred
Placc-concealmen was not TO be thought OF
and perfect frankncss became o necessity rs we'll
as virtue.
The doctor recommends plenty Of exercise
and amusement for Rachel, and strongly urges
me TO keep her mind rs much rs possible from
dwelling on the past said Lady Verinder.
Ny aunt went on; lido my best to carry
out the doctors instructions. But this strange
adventure of Godfrcy's happens at most un-
fortunate time. Rachel has been necessarily
restless and excited since she frst heard Of II.
She left me no peace till had written and ask
ed my nephew Ablewhite TO come here. She
even feels an interest in the other person who
was roughly usei-Mr. Lukcr, or some such
name--though the man is, Of course, total
stranger 10 her.
your knowledge Of the world, dear aunt, Is
superior to mine, suggested difidently. 'But
there must he reason surely for this extraor-
binary conduct on Rachel's part. She is keep
ing sinful secret from you and from every
body. May there not he something In these re-
cent events which threatens her secret with dis
covcryf
Discovery repeated my aunt what can
yon possibly mean Discovery through Mr..
Luker Discovery through my nephew
As the word passed her lipsa special provi-
dcnce occurred. The servant opened the door,
and announced Mr.. Godfrey Ablewhitc.
(ro De coSrrSuED.)