Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1883-09-08
The next day l entered upon

1CSA
my duties.
CONSERVATION and chagrin were pictured
on the face of Charles when he was inform
ed that q new assistant had been engaged.
The moment he looked at me with those
dark, melancholy eyes, just so soon was
aware that my disguise had been pene-
trated. and further secrecy could not bs
maintained.
One afternoon while l was busiiy engaged
in preparing q slater ent, be approached
me ana said
Hopkins. you have been engaged to spy
upon me. Ny steptousin, Radcliffe, i your
employer. Oh, God! What have done
that be should place me under suspicion ?
This will kill Kate
Hopkins was the name | adopted. Was
this young man playing a part or was he
really innocent?
| was resolved on one bold move l would
show him the stone, and learn if be recog-
niZed it.
III, y pSOu, i . Nv
discovered not long ago what do You think
of it 2 | asked of him q few moments after
he mad given utterancs to his vehement
declarations.
ut is mine-or at least it looks like
mine, where did you get it quiried he
eagerly.
81 found it in the Radcliffe mansion one
day while l was visiting your s%tep-cousin."
What you found it there? Great
heavens Ill wonder" he stammered
brokenly, while his face turned very pala.
Perhaps it is not yours ?" l ventured.
You are right; it is not mine," he Aaid
with a sigh of relief.
That evening l vent to Mr.. Radcliffe and
informed him how the case stood, and the
answer was that if Charles was the guilty
man be must be punished, and promised not
to interfere with my plans. | told him it
would be necessary fer me to search
Charles room, and that to do that success
fully, he must take Charles to the theatre or
6OLIC OthNL PioSC VI
AS soon as Florence. and her father, ac>
companied by Charles and his sister Kate
had left the house, | went to the room oc-
cupied by Charles, and at once began my
search. In ten minutes | discovered, con-
cealed in a corner of his trunk, the stolen
necklace. The mystery was now clear.
To cause a division of the property to be
made, he had planned the robbery so tina,
suspicion would fall upon his, beautiful
cousin.
Base wretch" thought, TO bring dis
grace on his b%enefactor's familyF
Carefully replacing the jewels, l re
solved TO confront him with the proof o.
his guilt, and make the arrest as soon as be
came home; 80, closing and locking the
door, ! waited patiently for his return.
About eleven o'clock the party returned
The girls went Immediately to their rooms
Charles pleaded illness, and said he woule
retire.
| then told the banker to come quickly
with me to Charles room, that l had made
a valuable discovery. Pale with excite
ment, he followed me. Without waiting t
knock | entered, followed by the banker
AS we entered the room we found Charles
on his knees By the side Of his trunk, as b,
saw his visitors he turned ashen, and triet
to conceal something in the folds of {
shirt.
Not so fast T. | cried, as | eprang apo,
him and wrenched the garment from b.
grasp,
In the struggle that ensued the missin,
diamond necklace fell exposed to the floor
20 God! Charles is the theft shrieke,
the excited banker in awful tones, as he fel
to the floor in a swoon.
The unfortunate Charles stood as i
dazed by some awful shock; he neithe
moved nor spoke, but stood motionless, al
most as ifoless as a marble statue on it
iron pedestal. +.
will it be necessary for me to use these
or will you com quietly7 p said l, showing
him a pair of handouts.
Not a sound escaped bis bloodless lips
aud taking him BY the arm, l led him to tn
door.
In one hour Charles Simpson was il
prison, charged with grand larceny.
The day Of trial soon came, and the ster
heart of the banker softened, for he EN-
ployed two prominent lawyers to deten
Charles, who pleaded no defense whatever
The end OF it all was that he was foun
guilty as charged, and sentenced to te
years in prizon, with hard labor.
When the sentence was pronounced Flo
ence Randolph fill into the arms of Kat
Simpson shrieking.-
He is innocent, be ia innocent
Charles stood resigned and immovabl,
By the actions OF Florence during the .ri.
was convinced beyond q doubt that SD
I was in love with Charles. But why was