Smyrna times., 1878-11-20
The Etehin Diamonds.

Arthur Stangate, attorney at law, was
my brother. lie had succeeded to my
fathers business, and no name 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 the gentry at his own private house.
Most of the great folks employed him.
but his best client was Sir Etchin Eckford,
a cidevant Indian judge, very wealthy, and
the possessor of some rare and costly jewels
known in this country as the Etchin dia-
monds. Their name even makes me shud-
der now.
One evening, as Arthur was preparing to
return to his Office, where important busi-
ness would detan him all night, Sir
Etchn's groom left parcel, with a note.
The latter stated that the former contained
the famous Etchin diamonds, which the
owner thought safest to entrust to Arthur's
care as he had been called unexpectedly to
London.
Il 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 he could not send them back ;
so taking the parcel, he at once proceeded
10 MS SluUN ~ lOCh IL III tue lIOil SdlI
went with him. and with woman's Curl
osity and love for jewelry, besought peep
at the gems before they were put away.
Arthur. the best brother in the world, in
stantly removed the paper cover discover
ing square morocco box, brass bound,
with the key tied to the handle. Opening
it, he showed me the gems. They were
indeed magnificent, set in the massive
Indian fashion, while many of the dia-
monds were vet uncut. One by one, brace
lets, bangles, necklets, Arthur lifted, and
| flashed in the lamplight before my dazzled
vision.
| He was holding superb emerald and
diamond necklet in his hand, for my ad
miration, when happening to raise my eyes
a cry of alarm burst from my lips.
"What is it?" asked Arthur.
"The man. replied. "See, the win
dow is uncurtained, and | am sure saw 8
man looking in from the tree outside"
Nonsense" cried Arthur.
Nevertheless, he flung up the window
called, and gazed in every direction. There
was nothing-not a sign, not a sound anC
assured as | was that he had been mistaken
he fastened the latch and dropped the cur
tain.
As, however, he was about to put ava,
the diamonds, said, Arthur, would i
not be better to place them in the safe il
your bedroom?'
He agreed in the advisablity, and locked
them up; then, having cautioned me t.
see we'll to the house fastenings, and aske'
me again if | was not really frightened to re
main alone all night with only the servants
Jane and Jenkins, he left for town. say
everything secured, and went to bed early
locking Arthur's bedroom, and taking tn
key with me.
1t was long before slept. When | die
| was almost Immediately aroused by
slight sound at my door. | asked who wa
there. James voice answered in a caution
} whisper. Seeing something was wron!
rising, admitted her. No sooner had sh
entered than, quickly closing the door, sh
fastened it and exclaimed, in accents {
terror:
ooh, miss! what shall we do2 FL
mercy's sake make no noise-don't get an
light. Burglars are breaking into tn
house, and I'm sure Jenkins is their a
complice."
Burglars! cried. Then the though
flashed across me. "Gracious powers ~
i exclaimed "they are after the Etchin di
monds."
| saw IL all. Inc STOOIl eTEunu III
been OWNED; my brothers absence W
known, and by Jenkins treacherous al
. the place was being attacked. | droppt
stunned on the bed. Then started up.
At any cost-even life-the diamonds i
trusted to Arthur must be saved. Hurried
= | dressed, and while doing so, heard Il
n soft sound of persons moving about Il
house.
D "Jane,'' said, having explained all
the faithful girl, I" must get Sir Etchir
diamonds"
How miss ? If you 60 into the passa
they'll murder you"
"True; therefore | must get out by t
window. They will not hear me, for tn
believe the box is in the study, and it W
not take them long to discover their n
take" Opening the window, | got out
the veranda. How fearfully it slope
Could | do it2 Yes, by pressing my Fl
against the gutter. Slowly | went, foot
foot, until reached Arthur's window.
heart leaped as / found it unfasten
Quickly entered opened and relocked
iron safe, and with the diamonds, M
slowly and with greater difficulty, retu
ed.
3-tf Reaching my own room | did not ent
- for what could two helpless women
against strong, evil men, bent on plund
Instead, ordered Jane to tear sheet il
". shreds, having attached which to the b
y bade her lower it to me, after had
srn scended by the trellis.
eat She did as | directed, then joining
ing we carried the box between us as we
lS Sm from the house.
- We had not gone dozen yards bef
=, the dread of pursuit and having the I
'ill monds wrested from us possessed me.
We, "Jane," said, "this will never do.