The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-04-19
Select Story.
THE ETCHlN DIAMONDS.

was iiOu anu iu'PoitaHl pidCe. my pToth-
er's offices were ia the town, two miles dis
tant but he did almost as much business
among the gentry at his own private
house.
Most of the great folks employed him
but his best client was Sir Etchn Eckford
ci-deram Indian judge, very wealthy aud
the possessor of some rare and costly jewels,
known in the country as the Etchin Dia-
monds. Their name even makes me sbud-
der now.
One evening as Arthur was preparing to
return to his office, where important bust
ness would detain him all night, Sir Etchin's
groom left parcel, with a note. The latter
stated that the former contained the famous
Etchin diamonds which their owner thought
safest to intrust to Arthurs care, as he
had been unexpectedly called to London.
"I don't care what deeds they leave with
me-" said my brother "but | don't like
such trusts as these. Still, suppose must
keep them"
OF course be could not send them back {;
so taking the parcel, he at once proceeded to
lock it in the iron safe / went with him,
and a woman's curiosity ard love ofjewelry
besought peep at the gems before they
were put away.
Arthur, the best brother in the world, in
stantly removed the paper covering, disclos-
ing square morocco.box, brass bound, with
the key tied to the bundle. Opening it, be
showed me the gems. They were, indeed
magnificent, set in the massive Indian fash.
ion, while many of the diamonds were yet
uncut. One by one, bracelets, bangles
necklets, Arthur lifted, and flashed in the
lamp-light before my dazzled vision.
| He was holding superb emerald aud
diamond necklet is his hand, for my admira.
tion, when happening to raise my head, a
cry of alarm burst from my lips.
"What is it, Nell ?" asked Arthur.
Nevertheless, he flung up the window
called, and gazed in every direction. There
was nothing-not a sign, not a sound and
assured as | was that | had been mistaken
he fastened the latch, and dropped the cur.
tain.
As, however, he was about to put away
the diamonds, | said, "Arthur, would it not
be better to place them in the safe in youi
bedroom ?"
He agreed in the advisabiity, and locked
them up then, having cautioned me to see
well to the house fastenings, and asked again
if | was really not frightened to remain
alone night with only the servants Jane
and jenkins, he left for town. / saw every.
thing secure and went to bed early, lock ing
Arthur's bedroom, and taking the key with
me.
1t was long before | slept. When | did,
was almost Immediately aroused by sligh
James voice answered in cautious whisper
Seeing something was wong, rising, | ad
mitted her. No sooner had she entered thar
quickly closing, she fastened the door, anC
exclaimed, in accents of terror, ooh, miss
what shall we do? For mercy's sake, maxi
no noise-don't get light Burglars ar
breaking in the house, and I'm sure Jenkn
is their accomplice.'
Burglars ~ l cried. Then the though
of the face flashed across me. "Graciou
powers ?" / exclaimed, 'they are after til
Etchin diamonds -
saw it all The groom's errand ha
been OWNED, my brothers absence wa
known, and by Jenkins treacherous aid tn
place was being attacked. | dropped stur
ned on the bed. Then ] started up.
AT any cost--even life-the diamonds il
trusted to Arthur must be saved. Hurridl
| dressed, and while doing so, heard the so
sound of persons moving in the house.
"Jane," l said, having explained all I
the faithful girl, 81 must get Sir E.chn
diamonds"
"How, miss ?" If you go in the passag
they'll murder you"
"True therefore | must get out by ii
window They will not hear for they b.
lieve the box is in the study and it will taB
them long to discover their mistake"
Opening the window, got out on the v,
randa, How fearfully it sloped Could
do it Yes, by pressing my feet against tn
gutter. Slowly went, foot by foot, until
reached Arthur's window. My heart leal
ed as | found it unfastened. Quickly Ell
tered, opening and relocked the iron sat
and with the diamonds, more slowly an
with greater difficulty returned.
Reaching my own room did not ente
for what could helpless women do again
strong evil men, bent on plunder? Instea
| ordered Jane to tear sheet into thread
having attached which to the box, baC
her lower il to me, after had descended Il
trellis.
She did as directed, then joining m
we carrying the box between us, ran fro
the house.
We had not gone a dozen yards before Il
, dread of pursuit and having the damon,
wrested from US, possessed me.
"Jane," said, "this will never do. L
q US make for the hollow oak. We can p
o the box in that they'll never find it befo
help comes"
Fastening in the direction together '
managed to raise the box high enough
reach the hole, and l toppled it in. 1t f;
with heavy thud knew it was safe,
then told Jane to run to Hawthorn's, Il
nearest house, arouse the people, and bril-
u some of the male servants back. She wal
ed me to go with her, but dared not lea
the neighborhood of the tree, lest any mi
erable chance should occur and the burglS
Y, find the treasure. Crouched among t
/, bushes some yards off, | bade the g
4 hasten.
Scarcely had she gone than a noise in t
= house attracted my attention. My fig
with the jewels was discovered. My he
stood still, and the blood in every vein tul
ed cold. With jenkins there were three
10 them. Through the darkness | could
they were beating and seaching the bush
They had guessed we could not carry
he box far, and evidently were in hopes
ei finding it before help come,
,st Twice, thrice, they approached so near