The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-05-30
THE ST. HILDRIC DIAMONDS.
BY EMMA GARRISON JONES.

tie fishing town known as Hartlepool, in
the county of Durham, on the English
coast, stands time worn old mansion,
which bears the name Of St. Hildric
Court.
At the time our little story opens, the
once grand and famous old place was
rapidly falling into ruins. the handsome
and extensive grounds were sadly neg
lected, and only the modern wing of the
once really elegant building was at all in
habited, save by the bats and owls, and
perehanco the fitting ghosts Of the dead
and gone st. Hildrics.
The present incumbent and heir, Lord
Ross Hildric, was young bachelor, very
handsome, very gay, and very reckless
IN all his habits Most of his time was
spent in London, but once or twice in
season, when the shooting was good, he
came down with party of friends as gay
as himself, to enliven the old court, and
to make Dame Gwinneth, the antiquated
housekeeper, bring out the massive ST.
Eildric silver and china
A little below St 1ildric Court, stretch
ing itself lazily along the sunny coast.
was another little fishing hamlet called
CarroW Head, SO near to the great sea
that the salt waves Numbered against its
very threshold when the tide was up
But the people of Carrow Head were used
to the sea, and liked to have it near them,
and to hear its hoarse voice.
One quiet afternoon in early spring
time, whea this same lissie hamlet SEEM
ed to look lazier and sleeper than ever
before, an incident took place that thrill
ed 1t to its utmost heart, and brought
the oldest fisherman on the strand to his
feet
Luke Hartlg was arrastad, and for steal
ing the ST. Hildric Diamonds Was he
guilty? Every man, woman and child in
Carrow Head rushed out to ask the ques-
tons, and a dozen voices volunteered
what they could tell. Mr.. So-and-so had
told hr. So and-so. that he saw Luke as
the officers were taking him to jail But
the old men and women shook their
heads. They must have stronger proof
than mere say SO before they believed
such charge as that against lad like
Luke Hartly. But the proof soon came.
IN the person of the old rector, who came
down the coast lane toward them. with a
slow and solemn step. The babel of
tongues ceased in an instant The rector
of St. Hide was an oracle at Car11N
Head. Not only in the hamlet, but for
miles and miles up the coast, he was
looked up to with loving reverence. All
eyes were turned upon him now, as he
appeared in the midst of the excited
crowd.
Is it true. Mr. Renfrew?''
The question came in a low, intense
whisper from dozen lips at one. The
old man paused before he answered,
steadying himself upon his cane, and
shaking his gray head slowly from side
to side.
Eyes, lads,' at last, his voice feeble
and pitoous, Il saw them take him to
prison with my own eyes"
That was enough. The Carrow Head
people asked for no better assurance than
their rector's simple word. But they
hesitated about that other question,
burning in their hearts. and trembling
on their lips, not daring to put it into
words. The rector had one child, a
daughter, Berenice Renfrew, the fairest
maiden in all Durham perhaps, and she
was the alliance wife of Luke Hartly.
People wondered at first, that girl
like Berenice, SO young, and fair, and
well-trnght, should care for great plain
fellow like Luke, especially when she
could have her pick of the very best of
the Casrow Head lads; and rumor said,
that the young Lord of St. Hildric him.
self was in love with her. But Berenice
seemed to shink it all right and proper
and walked to St. Hide with Luke on
Sundays, IN preference to any one else
In due time it was all settled-Berry and
Luke were afianced and when he re
turned from his next voyage they were to
become man and wife.
The rector had no objection to make,
50 the village folks left off wondering, and
called Berry a sensible girl, to choose a
true honest fellow in preference to a false
young noble, or fne-dressed fop.
What would Berry do now? What
would the old rector do? Was Luke in
nocent or gailty2 Not one dared to ask.
but reading what they dreaded to speak.
IN their eager eyes, the old man went on.
lis bad case, LADS, a bad case, i'll
so hard with poor Luke, I'm thinking, :"
his eyes ming with tears, as he thought
of Berry, then flashing out suddenly as
he added: Not that | believe him gull
~, lads-not that. I'm settled on that
point, though the evidence will be strong
against him. Luke Hartly's no thief, and
we must stick close to the lad if the worst
comes the worst
Ay, ay, sir !
The simple Carrow Head folks knew
how to keep their word, and when they
made promises. they meant them. When
the day of trial came round. Luke Hartlv
did not find himself fiiendless-thev stood
up for him to man. But for all that
they could not save him. Lord St. Hill
dric had engaged skilful counsel, and the
evidence was clear and indisputable. 1t
was after this wise:
On Tuesday night at twelve o'clock