The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-11-01
SELECTED SKETCH.
MY LADY'S NECKLACE.

y
est solicitations of Lady Tynedale, and had
advanced to her a considerable sum of
money upon the security Of her diamond
necklace. It was not that his conscience
pricked him, for he held large quantity of
her ladyship's jewelry in pawn, and confid-
emily counted on making handsome profit
out of his numerous transactions with her.
But the necklace in question unfortunately
did not really belong to Lady Tynedale, be-
ing an heirloom in her husbands family,
and consequently, Notwithstanding its in
trinsic value, it was practically worthless as
,security. He pointed this out to her lady
ship, and explained that Lord Tynedale
might insist upon the jewels being restored
to him should he hear of the matter. My
lady, however, was SO confident of being
able to redeem it in few days, and protest.
ed with such evident sincerity that she dared
not part with any more of her own jewelry,
for fear of arousing her husbands suspi-
cions, that Mr.. Martingale, having a keen
eye for business, advanced the money
against his own judgment, and kept the
necklace.
But, as before mentioned, he felt very I'M
easy when he reflected upon what he had
done. If Lady Tynedale should fail to
redeem the necklace, he would certainly lose
his money, sincShe would not dare to real
ize his security. In addition to this dsa-
5reeable contingency, it occurred to him
that Lord Tynedale probably kept a strict
watch upon the family jewels, knowing his
wife's passion for gambling and if he dis
covered the destination of the heirloom, his
lordship would be sure to make a scene.
Under these circumstances, Mr.. Martingale
did not allow the day named by my lady for
redeeming the necklace to pass by without
writing her polite reminder; and finding
that his letter had no effect, he screwed up
his courage and wrote a second time, using
language as firm and peremptory as he could
command
While anxiously awaiting reply to this
communication, he was startled at receiving
visit from Lord Tynedale, who strobe into
the shop one morning, and confronted the
embarrassed jeweller before he had time to
compose himself
Mr.. Martingale," he said abruptly, 81
understand from my lady that she has left
her diamond necklace here to be cleaned"
"Yes, my lord, y faltered the jeweller, too
much taken abaeb to consider his reply.
II was vexed when heard of it." said
Lord Tynedale, =" for did not like my lady
parting with the necklace without my knowl-
edge However, MIR. Martingale, as you
happen to have it in your possession at this
moment, / want you to do me n favor"
!" Certainly, my lord Proud, I'm sure, "
replied Mr.. Martingale, with inward misgiv.
ings.
e The fact is, that l want you to lend me
some money upon it, said Lord Tynedale.
" You know the value of those things. So
thought might rs well come to you. ]
have an unexpected payment to make-a
debt of honor, to tell you the truth--and l
would rather not trouble my agent about the
natter
"Quite SO, my lord; 1 usl r,Slnd, per-
fectly," replied Mr.. Martingale, as briskly as
possible. Glow much might your lordship
require?"
Seven thousand pounds, and l must
have it at once"
Mr. Martingale started and turned hot
and cold by turns. He dared not tell Lord
Tynedale that he had already advanced a
large sum upon the necklace; yet for that
very reason it was quite out of the question
to think of lending any more especially as ii
now appeared that his lordship was in the
habit of contracting debts of honor, as well
As his wife. Lord Tynedale had the reputa-
ton of being wealthy man, but his appli-
cation for loan was an unpieaslAt revelation.
The jeweller was too much OF man Of the
world to believe word of the story of Lord
Tynedale not caring to apply to his agent
person in his lordship's station would not
attempt to raise money on the family Jewels
lnless every other expedient had failed.
"Wella" exclaimed my lord, impatiently,
as Mr.. Martinsale kept silence, looking the
picture of embarrassment.
The truth is, my lord" said tho iewelIer.
neryously, that much as should like to
accommodate your lordship, fear cannot
do so at the moment. l am extremely sorry,
but money is very tight just now, my lord,
and /"
"Very WE'LL" interrupted Lord Tynedale
sharply; " don't make fuss about it, man,
I can easily get the money elsewhere. 1
ill trouble you to give me the necklace"
"Give-give you the necklace, my lord ?"
repeated Mr.. Martingale, blankly.
Yes; had an offer of $1,000 for it a
short time ago, and think l shall sell it."
"But-but my lord, it was left here to be
cleaned. II is not ready yet" urged the
jeweller in desperation.
"Never mind 1t did not want cleaning.
That was fed of my lady's," returned Lord
Tynedale, wLo seemed very much put out at
his request being refused, and evidently did
not mean TO be trifed with.
Mr.. Martingale, who was the mildest OF
men, and stood very much in awe of Lord
Tynedale, did not venture to say another
word, but fumbled for the keys of the strong
room, and disappeared to fetch the necklace,
The truth was, however, that he had re-
solved not to part with it under any circum-
stances, and the GRAND was only pretence
to enable him to gain few minutes for
calm reflection. He felt that his only chance
Of getting repaid by Lady Tynedale was to
retain possession or the necklace, aud he
therefore had to consider whether it would
not be policy to advance the money his
lordship required. The offer of slO. o0O
which Lord Tynedale had spoken of was q
fancy price; but the necklace was worth
more than the sum he had asked upon It.
After some hesitation, Mr.. MartineaIe re-
turned to the shop and said.
.My lord, on second thoughts, 1 think /
can manage that little matter with the aid of
friend
"ohl very well, Mr.. Martingale," said
his lordship, in tone of relief, having ap.
parently been occupied with unpleasant re-
aections, in the interval az don't want to
go anywhere else, and I would rather not
sell the necklace. Shall we say the day
after tomorrow, then? If you will call