Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1878-11-21
THE ETCHING DIAMONDS.

Arthur Stangate, attorney-at-law, was
my brother. He had succeeded to my
fathers business, and no rame was more
esteemed and trusted in all Huntington.
and it was rich and important place.
NV brothers offices vera In the town.
two miles distant, but he did almost as
much business among tie gentry at his
own private house.
Most of the great folks employed him :;
but his best cliant was Sir Etchln Eek
ford, a CT de0ant Indian Judge, very
wealthy, and the possessor or some rare
and costly jewels, known in this country
as the Etchin diamonds. Their name
even makes me shudder now.
One evening. as Arthur was preparing
to return to his Office, where important
business would detain him all night
Sir Etchin's groom left parcel, with a
note. The latter stated that the former
contained the fam0rs Etchin diamonds,
which their owner thought safest to en-
trust to Arthur's care, as he lad been unex-
pectedly called to London.
81 don't care what deeds they leave
me-" said my brother; "but don't like
such trusts as these. Still, suppose
must keep them
OF course he could not send them back Z;
so taking the parcel, he at once proceed
ed to his study to lock it in the iron safe
/ went with him, and with a woman's
curiosity and love for iewelrv, besought
a peep at the gems before they were put
away.
Arthur, the best brother in the world,
instantly removed the paper cover dis
covering a square morocco box, brass
bound, with KEY tied to the bundle.
Opening it, he showed me the gems.
They were indeed, magnificent, set in the
massive Indian fashion, while many of
the diamonds were yet uncut. One by
one, bracelets, bangles, necklets, Arthur
lifted, and flashed in the lamp. light be-
fore my daZZ.ed vision.
He was holding superb enemrald and
diamond necklet in MS hand, for my ad-
miration, when happening to raise my
eyes cry of alarm burst from my lips.
"What is it, Nell2" asked Arthur.
ct e manm 1 replied. "See, the
window is uncurtained, and am sure l
saw man looking in from the tree out
side"
Nonsense!' cried Arthur.
Nevertheless, he flung up the window,
called, and gazed in every direction
There was nothing-not a sigh, not g
sound; and assured as I was that I had
been mistaken, he fastened the latch, and
dropped the curtain.
As, however, he was about to put away
the diamonds, said, "Arthur, would ii
not be better to place them in the safe in
your bedrooms"
He agreed in the ACCESSIBILITY, and
locked them up; then, having cautioned
me to see well tc the house-fastenings, and
asked again if was not really frightened
to remain alone all night with only the
servants Jane and Jenkins, he left fol
town. saw everything secure and went
to bed early, locking Arthurs bedroom
and taking the key with me. It was long
before / slept When did, I was almos
Immediately aroused by slight sounf
at nv door. asked who was there. James
voice answered in cautious whisper
Seeing something was wrong, rising,
admitted her. No sooner bad she en-
tered than, quickly closing the door, sht
fastened it and exclaimed, in accents o
terror:
"Oh, miss what shall we do? For mer
cy's sake make no noise-don't get light
Burglars are breaking into the house, ant
I'm shure Jenkins is their accompl1ce.
"Burglarsl" cried. Then the though
of the face flashed across me.
'H5racIous powers!' exclaimed; ''the,
are after the Elchin diamonds"
/ saw it all. The groom's errand hat
been OWNED; my brothers. absence wa
known, and, by Jenkins treacherous aid
the place was being attacked. I dropped
stunned on the bed. Then I started up
At any cost-even life-the diamond
intrusted to Author must be saved.
Hurriedly dressed, and while doinj
so, heard the soft sound of persons moving
in the house.
';Jane," SAID, having explained all t
the faithful girl, Il must get Sir Etchin'
diamonds"
@Hew. miss9 If you go into the passag
they'll murder yeu."
"True; therefore / must get out by til
window. They will not hear me, fo
they believe the box is in the study, am
it will take them long to discover thei
mistake" Opening the window | &C
out on the veranda. How fearfuIly
sloped Could I do 1t? Yes, by pressin
my feet against the gutter. Slowly
went foot by foot, until reached AT
thurs window. NV heart leaped as
found it untastened. Quickly / entered
opened and relocked the iron safe, an
with the diamonds, more slowly and wit
greater difficulty returned.
Reaching my own room did not entel
for what could two helpless women d
against strong, evil, men, bent on PLUMB
era Indeed, ordered Jane to tear shel
into threads, which having attached