Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-06-15
Mrs. Brandon wrung her hands and sobbed

thousand dollars? Have you dared to
squander it,"
'"No, no." said Mrs. Brandon, earnestly.
II am not so bad as that. deposited it with
Sandford, the jeweller, of whom hired the
casket of jewels to deck myself tonight"
"Mr. Merton" said the broker, calmly, II
shall have to trouble your patience a little
while longer. I will write instantly to Mr..
Sanford, late as it is, and bid him bring the
money here at once"
After dispatching the note, Brandon and
his wife returned to the ball room. 0, how
insipid to the lady's ear seemed now the bab-
BILE of her guestsl The flowers had lost their
perfume-the music its divine influence. Yet,
with the serpent of remorse and anguish
gnawing at her heart, she was forced to smile
and seem happy and at ease. A half hour
passed in this way seemed an age Of torture
and when the messenger despatched by her
husband had returned and summoned them
again to the library, it gave her inexpressible
relief.
90, Mr.. Sanford " she exclaimed to the
jeweller, who was now added to the party,
chow happy am to see you There is your
casket-and here are your diamonds!" and
she tore the jewels from her neck, ears, and
wrists, and offered them to the jeweller.
MADAM" said the jeweller, grayely, after
having examined the gems. "these are not the
articles I furnished you. lent you q set of
diamonds-these are pastel
"What is the meaning Of this?" asked the
broker, sternly.
II know not. cannot explain. O, Luke!
Luke! I am innocentp and Mrs. Brandon
sunk fainting into a chair. .s
When she had recovered her senses, Mr..
Brandon asked
did you make this arrangement in per-
son ?"
"No," she replied ut was through the me-
diation of Mr.. Charmant."
"Let's send for him." said Merton.
"Stay," said the broker; IAN idea has oc-
Cured to me. I have observed at times that
this Monsieur Charmant had good deal to
say to your French page, my good lady.
1T was he that recommended Claude" said
Mrs. Brandon.
"Then we will have Claude before US" said
the brokers Claude soon made his appear
ance.
"Claude," said Mrs. Brandon, "do you
know anything about this casket Of jewelsP
The boy changed color, but shook bis head.
"Now, my Christian friend" said the bro
ker, "you need not tell us what You know
about the jewels, if you are unwilling; but in
case of your refusal, shall send for police
officer, who will, undoubtedly, drum the whole
affair out Of you"
The threat had the desired effect. The boy
confessed that Charmant and De Roseville
were impostors-tbat they were not even
Frenchmen; but brace of London thieves,
who had picked up knowledge of French
during professional tour on the continent,
and who had emigrated to America for the
purpose introducing their art among our un-
sophisticated countrymen. Charmant had
been jeweller, and this enabled him to coun-
terfit the gems obtained of Mr.. Sanford,
which he purposed disposing of at the first ia
vorable opportunity. The boy believed that
Charmant had them about him at that mo-
ment. In England, Charmant was known as
French Jack, and Roseville as Rusty Joe.
"Go back to the ball room" said Mr.. Mer-
ton to Brandon, "and take your wife with you.
Mr.. Sanford, you stay by the boy. I'll 60
for an officer" Brandoa and bis lady return.
ed to the ball room, the latter somewhat re-
lieved, but mortified at the receptions which
had been practiced on her.
II : few minutes burly member ofthe po-
lice, with very thick stick, and very red
handkerchief knotted around his neck, made
bis appearance, to the astonishment of the
guests, amid whom the host and hostess alone
testified no excitement or alarm.
"Sarvant, ladies and gentlemen, sarvant,"
said the functionary, scraping his right boot,
and plucking desperately at the brim of his
hat. "Don't let me interrupt yer innercent
amusement-sorry to intrude, as the bull said
when he rushed into the china shop-but bus
iness before pleasure-now then, my hearty!
how are your"
The last words were accompanied by 7ig-
orous blow on the shoulder of M. Auguste
Charmant, who was at that moment paying
his attentions to belle from Union Square.
"Mons;er me parte-tilf" exclaimed the
dandy, with we'll feigned astonishment.
20, nix the lingo, French jack" said the
officer, cor leastways patter Romany SOS
cove can understand you. Fork over them
are diamonds-or else it will go harder with
you. The boys peached, and the games up;
you we're spotted long ago."
With smothered curse, French Jack dived
his hand into his vest pocket and produced
the stolen Jewels. While this was enacting,
the count had been quietly stealing to the
door, but the vigilant officer had an eye upon
his movements, and hand upon his shoulder
before he could escape.
"Now I've got the pair of you," said the
worthy man, chuckling alphabetically in the
folds of bis red handkerchief "Now, don't
ride, rusty Joe-for there's small few of US
outside with amazin' thick sticks, that might
fall on your head and hurt you, if so be you
happened to be rambustical." ~
Course the luck!' muttered the thief as
with his companion he marched of.
It may we'll be imagined that the scene dis
persed the party in hurry. They took
French leave, like birds scattered by sud-
den storm. Julia was carried to bed in hys-
terics, accompanied by her mother. Merton
and the jeweller had disappeared, the three
rogues had been taken into custody, and only
Brandon and uncle Richard .tG
The banquet hall deserted"
"Well, uncle" said the broker, bitterly,
"the games up. I have been ruined, stock
and fuke, by letting my wife have her own
way, and tomorrow shall be'a bankrupt"
"No you WON'T" said uncle Richard.
eyes I SHALL" said the broker, angrily.
"And Julia, abandoned BY herllover, will be
broken-hearted." .,s J
mo she won't" said uncle Richard.
"Who's to prevent it?" asked the broker.
"Uncle Richard" replied that parsonage.
"What's the use of friend, unless he's a
friend in need. I've got plenty Of money and