, 1878-04-10
A DREAM.

Vlteu Dy Mrs. Hail, my grandmother, to
pay her visit before going to a boarding.
school, where was to remain for few
years. My mother had died while I was
very young, and my father thought it was
best for me to be at a nice school, where
would be among girls of my Cwn age,
than in house with only his sister and
himself. Mrs. Hall was very fond Of me-
she had no children of her own, and, had
my father consented, she and Mr.. Hall
would have taken me to live with them
entirely.
1t was lovely day in June when l ar
rived at my grandmother's, and she was
delighted to see me. The house was
beautifully situated on high ground, sur
rounded by grand old trees, and on one
side was a flower garden.
One morning grandmother said to me:
"Come up stairs with me, lillian, and
will show you some Indian jew, Is that my
uncle left me lately" She opened the
drawer of an inlaid sandal wood cabinet
and took out small case, in which were
pair of earrings, brooch and necklet
of most beautiful diamonds l thought
/ had never seen anything SO beau
y
~ intend to give you these on your six
teenth birthday. l see, however, that
there is stone very loose in one
of the earrings so l will take it into
town to-day and have it repaired" She
folded it up carefully and put it in her
purse; the case with the other diamonds
she put n one of the drawers of her dress
ing-glasS.
rt,,,. VnlI l.
with them to the town, which was about
four miles distant. The earring was left
at the jewelers. and as we were to spend
the day aC Il friends house we arranged to
call for it on our way back. But you will
say, "what has this to do with your
dream?" Wait, wait little and you will
see.
We spent pleasant day, called for the
earring on our way and arrived home
about half past O'Clock. AS / was taking
off my bonnet, grandmother came into the
room. Lillian" said she, ~ cannot find
the case of diamonds anywhere. Did
not leave it in the drawer in my dressing
glass beEuGe went out? went to put in
the other earring now, and it was not
there. Who could possibly have taken
il ~
!" You certainly left it in the dressing
-glass-drawer, 4" l said, "Could any of the
tervanis have taken it, do you think"
~ am certain they would not " she
answered. ~ have had them with me
for years, and never missed anything be-
fore. "
"Iave there been any strangers about
that could have come in through the win
dow"
"No, Lillian; there are no strangers about
the place except the gardener, and he seems
most res ectable man. l got a very high
character of him from his last place; in
fact WV were told he was a most trust
worthy person."
Next day there was a wonderful COM
motion about the missing jewel case. The
police were sent for, and every place was
searched over and over again, but to no
purpose. One thing, however, puzzled us;
on the window-sill was a foot-mark, ana
near the dressng-tabe little bit of earth,
as if off shoe or boot, which led us TO
think that the thief must have come in
through the window. But how did he get
upto itY 1t was good height from the
ground, and the creeping plants were not
in the least broken, as would have been
the case had any one climbed up by
them. A ladder must have been employ
ed, and it was little credit TO the police that
this fact had not been properly considered.
AS the mater stood it was q mystery, and
seemed likely 10 remain so, and only one
earring was left of the valuable set.
In a lew days left for school, where
remained for four years. l spent every
vacation between my home and my grand
mothers. We often spoke of the stolen
diamonds, but nothing had over been
heard of fthem, though reward of ESQ had
been offered by Mr.. Hall for any informa-
ton that would lead TO the detection of the
thief. On my sixteenth birthday my
grandmother gave me a beautiful watch
and chain and the remaining diamond
earring, which she had got arranged as
necklet.
81 am sorry, Lilian," said she, "that I
have not the rest of those diamonds To give
you; but if ever they are foun', they shall
be yours, my dear"
must now pass over six years, which
went by quietly and happily, nothing very
important taking place until the last wear,
during which time / had been married.
My husband was a barrster. We lived
in the north Of England. My mother-n-
law, Mrs. Benson, and Mary, one of her
daughters, lived some miles away from US,
near tho soa coast, 1t was very lonely
Splace, long way from the little fishing
town, or rather village of Burnley. con
Tess omen felt worry nervous obout about
Mrs. Benson aud her daughter living alone
ther husband being dead many years..
Except three women soryants IN the house,
and the coachman aud his family, who
hNed IN the lodge, there was na one near
or Than Burnley, four miles of. Besides,
was known that there was large quanti-
" oi plate In the house; aud tho lttlo sea.
side village was oilen the resort ~ smug
nllIl Il 4