Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-04-05

The short balance Of the afternoon
we spent in the library together over
the fire. confess that l nodded more
than once over my book; for l was
tired with the days work, and l sus-
pected that my aunt was just as bad.
Anyway, it was something of sur
prise to us both when we were sum-
moned to dress for dinner-a ceremony
that Aunt Musgrove seldom or never
omitted, but which she seemed inclined
to shirk for once on that particular
evenings
II shall not 60 upstairs, l think.
No, Victor, you need not take light
to my dressing-room. You can come
and call me whenever dinner is ready"
We reopened our novels again. But
my aunt began to fidget, and at last
she declared that she must go upstairs
and wash her hands, and put on clean
collar and cuffs, if she did nothing
more.
mo need for your disturbing your
self, child" she added.
"Shall I call Victor to bring you q
light, aunt?"
mo. I always keep candle and
matches ON my dressing-table."
She was gone for some little time.
In fact, dinner was announced, and the
soup was waiting to be put on the ia
BILE when she came hurrying into the
dining-room.
"Br-r-r," she said with SILVER, rub
bling her hands together as she spoke
show cold it is in my dressing-room
declare, l am half frozen"
She really seemed so. | could sec
that a shudder, now and then, passed
over her, as though she were shaken by
some inexpressible chill. The soup
however, seemed to reanimate her, anC
she soon chatted away in as lively {
strain as usual. When the meal was
about half concluded my aunt said
{ suddenly, laying down her fork:
81 declare, had almost forgotten
about my letter, Lizzie. You have
heard me speak of my niece, Caroline
: West, who lives in Albany-the Queer
, of Diamonds, as I used to call herr"
, Eyes, aunt, often"
, "Well," continued my aunt, Bridge
brought me up two letters this morn
: ing, and while up stairs, just now,
r happened to think of them, and it j
well that I did, for Caroline is coming
tonight to stay with us till the midda!
express from Waterdale to New Yorl
: leaves tomorrow and, moreover, sh
5 is going to bring with her all her dia
: monds."
: "All her diamonds And for wha
( reasonT
e My aunt, in answer, opened the let
a ter and scanned its pages.
: "Ah, here it is. She says: "My hus
e band has just telegraphed to me tina
. we are to sail for Europe by next Mon
days steamer. am going to brini
my diamonds with me, to deposit a
/ Tifany's, and, as do not wish to re
t main all night at hotel with such
Y mass of valuable jewels, I shall ventur
l to task your hospitality. Please NEE
f me at the Waterdale Station at quar-
}. ter past eight So, Victor, shall
t want the carriage at little befor
D eight. I am rather surprised" con
r tinued my aunt, "that Caroline is will
D ing to travel with so much valuabl
: property about her. Those diamond
l of hers are worth at the very loves
/ calculation, fifty thousand dollars"
5 Fifty thousand dollars Aunt yo
, surprise me"
E did you not know that Mr.. Yves
t has perfect craze for collecting pre-
, cious stones, particularly diamond;
r She has superb diamond necklace
t Then, there is the bracelet that be
, longed to the Empress Eugene, an
the set of rose-pearls and brilliant
Y that she bought at the sale Of the Quee
0 of SPANS jewels, and the pear-shape
q diamond pendants from the Musar
o sale, and ever so many more. Victor
I shall have to take out the General
n revolvers to lend you for tonight"
" "If madame desires me to sit up a.
T. night, shall be happy to, do SO,
# keep watch over the house," reptile
l. Victor, with his usual bow.
No need of that. But perhaps
l. would be as well for you to sleep o
e the library sofa, with the revolver
e within reach. Now, let us be of. Ii;
zie, you must como with me for con
e pany."
:, She said these last words just as VII
IS tor vanished out Of the door, carryin
h with him the tray loaded with plate
It and glasses. did not feel at all il
clined to take drive, and was begil
10 ming refusal, when glance at m
aunt's face froze the words upon m
II lips. I cannot describe her expression
W She laid one finger on her mouth, j
d token Of silence, and the next momer
h was busting about, looking for shaw