New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-11-27
THE ETCHING DIAMONDS.

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.
My brothers. offices were in the town,
two miles distant, but he did almost as
much business among tie gentry at his
own private house. t5
i Most of the great folks employed HIM;
but his best cliant was Sir Etchln Eek
ford, a Ct depant 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 famors 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 I don't like
such trusts as these. Still, I suppose I
must keep them.''
OF course he could not send them back;
so taking the parcel, he at once proceed
ed to his study to lock tin the iron safe.
I went with him, and with woman
curiosity and love for jewelrv, 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 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 dazzled vision.
He was holding superb enemrald and
diamond necklet in his hand, for my ad-
miration. when happening to raise my
eyes cry Of alarm burst from my lips.
"What is it, Nell?". asked Arthur.
'T-e man!' I replied. "see, the
window is uncurtained, and I am sure
saw man looking in from the tree out
side"
4\OA4oOAoSs NA4Cu 0AlA01s
Nevertheless, he flung up the window,
called, and gazed in every direction.
There was nothing-not sigh, not a
sound and assured as I was that I had
been mistaken, he fastened the latch, and
dropped the curtain.
e As, however, he was about to put away
the diamonds, I said, arthur, would it
not be better to place them in the safe in
your bedroom?"
He agreed in the advisability, and
locked them up; then, having cautioned
me to see we'll to the house-fasteniAgs, and
asked again if / was not really frightened
to remain alone all night with only the
servants Jane and Jenkins, he left for
town. I saw everything secure and went
to bed early, locking Arthur's bedroom,
and taking the key with me. It was long
before slept. When I did, 1 was almost
Immediately aroused by slight sound
at my door. asked who was there. James
voice answered in cautious whisper.
Seeing something was wrong, rising, I
admitted her. No sooner bad she en-
tered than, quickly closing the door, she
fastened it and exclaimed, in accents Of
terror:
ooh, miss! what shall we do? For mer-
cy's sake make no noise-don't get light.
Burglars are breaking into the house, and
I'm shure Jenkins is their accomphce."
ssBurglars!'' cried. Then the thought
Of the face flashed across me.
"Grac1ous powers y exclaimed; ssthey
are after the Elchin diamondsI'' @
I saw it all. The groom's Grand had
been OWNED; my brothers absence was
known, and, by Jenkins treacherous aid,
the place was being attacked. dropped
stunned ON the bed. Then started up.
At any cost even life the diamonds
intrusted to Author must be saved.
Hurriedly I dressed, and while doing
SO, heard the soft sound of persons moving
in the house.
"Jane," said, having explained all to
the faithful girl, II must get Sir Etchin's
diamonds
How, miss If you 60 into the passage
they'll murder you"
"True; therefore I must get out by the
window. They will not hear me, for
they believe the box is in the study, and
it will take them long to discover their
mistake" Opening the window I got
out on the veranda. How fearfully it
sloped Could do 1t? Yes, by pressing
my feet against the gutter. Slowly I
went foot by foot, until reached Au-
thurs window. Ny heart leaped as 1
found it untastened. Quickly I entered,
opened and relocked the iron safe, and
with the diamonds, more slowly and with
greater difficulty returned.
Reaching my own room I did not enter;
for what could two helpless women do
against strong, evil, men, bent on plumb