The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-03-02
THE ETCHIN DIAMONDS.

The ETChlN DlAmONDS.
Arthur Stangate, attorney-at-law, was my
brother. He had succeeded to my fathers
business, and no name was more esteemed
and trusted In all Huntington, and Run
nington was u rich and important place.
Ny brothers offices were in the town, two
miles distant but he did almost as much
business among the gentry at his own pri-
vate house.
Most Of the great folks employed him I;
but his best client was Sir Atchin Eckford,
. ci-decdHt Indian judge, very wealthy, and
the possessor Of some rare and costly jewels,
known in the country rs the Etchin Din
mond Their name even makes me shud-
der now.
One evening, as Arthur was preparing to
return to his office, where important bust.
ness would detain him all night, Sir Etch-
ms groom left a parcel, with a note. The
latter stated that the former contained the
famous Etchin diamonds, which their own
er thought safest TO entrust to Arthur's
care, as he had been unexpectedly called to
London.
~ don't care what deeds they leave with
me" said my brother but l don't like
such trusts as these. Still, l suppose /
must keep them"
OF course, he could not send them back (;
SO, taking the parcel, he at once proceeded
to his study to lock it in the iron safe. l
went with him, and with a woman's curios.
ity and love of jewelry, besought a peep at
the gems before they were put away.
Arthur, the best brother in the world, IN.
stantly removed the paper covering, dis
closing a square morocco box, b~rass-bound,
with the 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 dia.
monds were yet uncut. One by one, brace.
lets, bangles, necklets, Arthur lifted and
flashed in the lamplight before my dazzled
vision. s1xas~
He was holding a superb emerald and
diamond pecklet in his hand, for my admira-
aon, when happening to raise my head, a
cry of alarm burst from my lips.
What is ii, Nell?" asked Arthur.
The mani l replied. "See! the
window is uncurtained, and l am sure 1 saw
= man locking in from the tree outside.
Nonsense " cried Arthur.
Nevertheless, he lung up the window,
called, and gazed in every direction. There
vas n~othing--not q sign, not n sound and
.p-.ured Us 1 was that l had been mistaken,
= fastened the catch, and dropped the cur.
tain.
A., however, be was nbout TO put away
tue diamonds, 1 said, Arthur, would it
not be better to place them in the safe in
your bedroom ?"
lie agreed in the ACCESSIBILITY, and locked
them up; then, having cautioned me to see
veil to the house f~astenings, and asked
again If was really not frightened to re-
main alone a night with only the servants
lane and Jenkins, he left for town. / saw
everything secure and went early to bed,
locking Arthur's bedroom, and taking the
key with me.
II was long before / slept. When l did, 1
was almost Immediately aroused by a slight
sound ut my door. l asked who was there.
Jano's voice answered in u cautious whis-
per. Seeing something was wrong, rising, /
admitted her. No sooner had she entered
chan, quickly closing, she refastened the
door, and exclaimed in accents of terror,
oh, miss what shall we do ? For mercy's
sake, make no n~oise-don't get a light.
burglars are breaking into the house, and
I'm sure Jenkins is their accomplish"
Burglars |" l cried. Then The thought
" the face flashed across me. Gracious
powersl" l exclaimed, they are after
the Etchin diamonds
l saw it oil. The gToom's GRAND had
Teen OWNED, my brothers absence was
known, and, by Jenkins treacherous aid,
the place was being attacked. / dropped,
stunned, on the bed. Then l started up.
At any cost-even life-the diamonds en-
trusted TO Arthur must be saved. Hurriedly
/ 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
d~iamonds.n
How, miss? If you go into the pas
sage they'll kill you"
True therefore l must get out by the
window. They will not hear, for they be.
iieve the box is in the study, and it will
take them long TO discover their mistake. :"
Opening the window, / got out on to the
yeranda. How fearfully it slopedl Could
do it! Yes, by pressing my feet against
the gutter. Slowly 1 went, foot by foot,
antl ! reached Arthur's window. My heart
leaped as l found It unfastened. Quickly
l entered, opened and relocked the iron
safe, and, with the diamonds, more slowly,
and with greater difficulty, returned.
Reaching my own room, 1 did not enter /;
Tor what could two helpless women do
1gainst strong evil men, bent on plunder?
instead, 1 ordered Jan to tear a sheet into
shreds, having attached which to the box,
l babe her lower it to me, after l had
descended by the t%rellis.
She did as l directed then Joining me.
We carrying the box between US, ran from
the house.
We had not gone a dozen yards before the
dread Of pursuit and having the diamonds
wrested from us, possessed me.
Jane" N said, =. this will never do. Ie,
US make for the hollow oak. We can put
the boz in that they'll never find it before
help zones"
Fastening in the direction together. we
managed to ruise the box high enough to
reach the hole, and toppled it in. 1t fell
with q heavy thud (; l knew it was safe. l
then told Jane to run to the Hawthorns, the
nearest house, rouse the people, and bring
some Of the male servants back. She want