Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-07-12
TIE ENFIELD ROBBERY

"When nie you going u return Lady Da-
sent's visit. Aunt Frances" asked my niece
Amy. at is quite a fortnight since she
| called "
an a day or So" replied, knowing that
the duty must he performed, particularly AS
LAZY Dasent had, since she called, sent us an
| invitation to a ball, which was about TO take
| place at Enfield Court. In my Utmost heart
| should have been pleased had Lady Dasents
visit never been paid. We had lived in seclu-
sion for so long that almost dreaded any
interruption TO the even tenor Of our quiet
existence But Amy was IS, and just at the
age 10 appreciate little gayety, and felt 1t
my duty to set my own feelings aside and
allow her TO enjoy the present to the utmost
We lived Just on the outskirts OF one Of the
principal southern provincial towns, in a
little paradise which some one had aptly
designated the -Wren's Nest" thought it
perfect, and would not have exchanged its
peaceful beauty for Enfield itself which was
considered one Of the finest places in the
| country.
Owing to Lady Dasent's very delicate
health the family had been absent for some
years. but directly they returned Lady
Dasent had called on us. The Court WIS
barely a mile distant by road, and we were
really their nearest neighbor. 1t behooved
me, therefore for Amy's sake, to make an
effort ani return her visit
what do you think Of our going to En-
field this afternoon, Amyi' | said presently.
II think il would be delightful" she re-
piled. -
The day was lovely, and | inwardly hoped
| that Lady Dasent might be enjoying its
beauties herself. and that we might thus con-
tinue our drive, having done our duty by
leaving cards only. But my hopes were dis
appointed. Lady Dasent was at home, and
we were u,hered with due ceremony into her
beautiful drawing-room, where we found
her most graciously inclined toward us both.
Her daughters were playing lawn tennis,
She told us Would we like to join them on
the terrace! Very gladly would | have de-
cli,.ei, but glance toward Amy decided me
Otherwise
Accompanying Lady Dasent, we found
ourselves in the midst Of quite large party
Of Dung people. Amy was swept from my
side immediately, but my anxious eyes fol-
lowed her, and with pleasure | observed the
curiiality with which the n sses Dasent well
coined her.
How very pretty your niece is, Miss
CourJenayp Lady Dascnt observed.
Some one else thought So to-. Just as
Lady Dasent spoke, l saw a gentleman intro
iuced TO Amy; and while we remained he
deterininelly maintained close proximity
to her side. He was young, good-looking,
and evidently bent upon making himself
very agreeable to my niece.
Hitherto Amy had lived life of complete
retirement. She had been consigned to my
care 10y her mother, on her death bed, when
an infant Of few months old, and l &C
cepted the charge, vowins 10 be faithful to
the utmost Of my ability.
had loved her mother. but | had adorel
her father-my youngest brother--who had
gone out to India with The fairest prospects,
ami came home, after being there for only a
few years, to die
And here WAS | with my youth far behind
me, an unloved old maid, until the child
came to me, and in the clasp of her little
chubby arn;s | seemed to grow young again
myself.
Alfred Mauleverer was the name Of the in
dipidual before alluded to- did not make
his acquaintance that afternoon; that was an
honor reserved for the following day, when
he, accompanied by the two Misses Dasent,
came over to the Wren's Nest to invite Amy
! and myself 10 small afternoon party.
II was the beginning of many visits both
on their part and our own; in fact hardly a
day passed without our seeing at least Mr..
Mauleverer, who invariably found some pre-
text for coming over to us if we were n 1t to
be at Enfield. Aud then came the bail at
| - first a 70, 10 N
ev-ntful one.
Never before hal seen the Dasents cele-
brated gold plate, which was on this occasion
fully displayed. 1t was magnificent. Such
tankaris and salvers of solid gold, to say
nothing Of plates, spoons and forks, all ap-
parently of the precious metal
Lady Dasent was wearing her damon Is
that evening. From my quiet corner in the
ballroom had specially noticed the neck
| lace.
| Amy and Mr. Mauleverer were together.
must say they looked charming couple
rs they moved away. ! suppose my eyes
were Oppressive OF my thoughts, for Lady
| Dasent's yolce close beside me seemed to echo
| them. 'tt
| They make good pair. don't theyr she
| said All Miss Courtenay, she continued,
II am afraid You must not expect to keep
ycur niece always; some one is sure TO carry
her of soon.
AZ am in no hurry for that time 10 come,
| replied But Lady Dssent, do you mind
telling me one thing; who is Mr.. Maulev-
| ererf
"Who is Mr.. Maulevererr repeated Lady
! Dasent, with shade of sarcasm in her voice.
~Well, my dear Miss Courtenay, believe he
| j. OF very good family, very well Off, and
know he is very charming and moves i'll the
very best society. You may be quite sure,
! had he not been very desirable in every way
he would not have been our guest"
| | was glad to hear it, and could scarcely
| avoid n feeling of exultation when on our
return home Amy told me that he had asked
/ her TO be his wife and she had accepted him.
Tired as I was after my unwonted dissipa-
ton. sleep seemed 10 have forsaken me;
| Amy's engagement was all | could think Of
until daylight began to struggle into exist
/ ence then. | suppose, | fell asleep, and
might have slept for hours had not my old
house maid, Margaret, burst into my room
/ and Weakened Tue with the startling udings
| that Enfield had been on fire, and that the
gold plate, also nearly all LAZY Daseut's
| diamonds. had been stolen.
shortly afterward Mr.. Mauieverer APP
| peared and fully confirmed the tdhass- he
| had distinguished himself greatly by his
/ bravery in endeavoring to extinguish the
flames. and in doing so had burned his rigat
1 han 4 rather severely
Il thought you might hear an exaggerated
account of il, - came over at once. be
/ observed. with a glance toward Amy.
who discovered iti' asked. What can
have originated the FIRE, and, above all, who
| can have taken the plate
And the diamonds" added Amy.
That remains to lie seen, replied Mr..
Mauleverer. "On my way here, telegrapei
/ TO Scotland Yard, and no doubt sharp de-
tecsive wiz unravd the mystery
| Lady Dasent's drossirg>room adjoined be,
I bedroom. and her account Of the affair was
that a few minutes after she had got into bed
! she distinctly heard the handle Of her dress
/ ing-roon door turn, and she fancied she
heard very quiet step in the dressing room
which, in a sleepy way, she fancied was her
maid.
AT first all the energies of the household
we're directed toward subduing the fire. II
evidently had its origin nesr the supper
room, which CHANGED 70 10 directly below
Lady Dasent's rooms At all events, IL wa
| ewing to her being wafed by a strong smell
| of fire that the alarm was given IN time {,
| save not only the house, but some of the in
! 4 a