Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-24

the idea OF seeing her hu inflated before strsn-
ger, and begged Kraft to let a take the m ,tter
In my own hand again.
"lou recoliect that YOU didn't pet along =,
asked.
had to acknowledge that Ibid.
We'll, you hs1 better let me rave it NV .v
a htue longer, or you'll be slre to spoil it
bad nearly reached my uncie's house, / passive
iy submitted to what appeared inevitable.
Mhen our ring was answered, Mr.. Kraft
/ gave MS name only, aud asked for Mir. Burche.
We were shown into the familiar library and
IN lew minutes nv uncle IN tde his appear-
ance. he was glad to see me, but evidently sur
prised, especially as Mr.. Krsf was an entire
stranger TO him. After an Introduction, we all
chatted a little about common place affairs
Mr.. kraf seemed in no hurry to Introduce his
business, but calmly awaited a favorable psuss
de. took advantage, however, of the first one
''Mr. Burche," said he, addressing my uncle,
81 have come to see you sbouta little m after
/ that's rather unpleasant, and as 1t ought 20 be
| strictly private one, may bolt the door,
! With much surprise, my uncle asseuted.
The detective continued:
"Nou remember, of course, that some dia-
monds belonging to Miss ,Whitelake, a Young
friend OF yours turned up missing year or 80
ago. and then were found again in curious
sort of way; Well, Miss whitelake said after
ward that the diamonds that came back were
not the real article, and she thought that this
Gentleman, my client. was the person who stole
,hsm. II was very mixed up case, but thiak
| have il all UNFINISHED now. There's only a
can settle for u.s.
"Mr. Kraft paused: my uncle said not a word:
I listened with breathless anxiety for what was
| to come next.
The detectives voice was a little frmer than
| before when he resumed.
"Mr. Burche, appearances are decetful
| things, but got ahead of them after Ali. Mr..
Harrison Burche, yoa are The man that stole ne
Great Heaven. can it be-" groaned.
My uncle made no reply, but sat stoc k-stilI in
his chair, picture OF helpless misery.
81 see you are not disposed TO contradict waat
/ | say resumed Mr.. Kraft, 'sbut il will be bet
ter TO have fair understanding of this case
while we're all together here. Wen have a lit
tie private trial among ourselves, which may
save the trouble OF going 10 court. I'm be the
| witness, ana this young gentleman shall be the
! Judge ard jury. MyevIdence is. that a year or
/ 80 ago, Miss Whtelake asked YOU to get her a
| certain set of Diamonds from Messrs. II 4rley
and Brother, Jewellers, of ClearpOrt You
bought them on or about the first day of May
A. D. ". on the same day YOU took these
same diamonds to Monsieur Cambre, OF the city
AFORESAID, and engaged him to take them ont of
their settings and pat back first-class imitation
in place. He finished the lob recording tJ order
and on the 18th day OF MAY, you brought the
| counterfeit diamonds to this town. and handed
| them over TO Miss whitelake. IN lking believe
OF course, that they were the real ones she had
/ seen and asked you to get Monsieur Cambre
! did not know you, but he Remembered abOut
! the jewelry, and described the man that
brought IT. managed to get good picture of
! you to show him, and he says you are the party
Mr.. Judge" asked the detective, turning to
me, "what do you think Ofthe evidence"
My uncle saved me the trouble Of answer
| ing.
With suddeS effort he reused himself from
his desperate calmness, and pleaded:
"Spare me, Arthur; am guilty."
My horror and Indignation began to give WAY
TO pity for the wretched man before me.
81 was so strongly TEN pied by need of money!
he continued you cannot tell how strongly: I've
repented bitterly enough, but never was able
to make restitution
We at once sent for Hattie.
She was, of course, surprised, but evidently
glad to see me again. / proceeded Immediately
TO tell her what had passed between my uncle
and myself.
"Itis true, Hattie,' he faltered; Il am gull
ty!'
~ am not much surprised" said She ''for |
have more than half suspected you for some
time"
was fully indicated.
Now, what was to be done with the criminal?
We, of course, shrank from the idea of hand
ing him over to the officers of the law. and any
misgivings we might have had in regard to our
duty were qaiete,t by the reflection that Ia his
case remOrse and exposure al already inf cted
all the punishment that would be Of any use.
We agreed TO bury his secret with ourselves.
No one else knew OF it, for even CaDbre had
heard no names, or any particulars Of the case.
and would likely never see my uncle again if
the latter did not put himself in the wav.
Bat little more remains to be told. You will
readily imagine that, alter the mystery of the
diamonds had been solved, / had strong dis
position to make up with Hattie, and, she had
long before repented Of having doubted me, [
had no trouble in regaining my former place in
her favor.
My uncle left Fairfield with his family soon
after bis guilt was discovered, and We never
saw him again. He died in few years after
leaving his old home.
In due time Hattie whitelake became Mrs.
Arthur Burohe. With this important evert my
story ends. JOHN Ii. SNIv