The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-11-26

"l 0u VIII DO as you IKE, OF course,
he replied, irritably. "They will be OF
yours and not mine. But how any
woman can care to deck herself out |
with diamonds worth several thousand |
pounds when she knows what it is to |
want money,passe my comprehension.
Mrs. Valletort was usually the most |
docile of wives but she resented her
husbands angry words, and was trebly |
determined TO hold her own in this |
matter. The captain saw that it would |
| be useless to argne with her, so he
turned away with half contemptuous
shrug of the shoulders, and muttered
anathema on the folly of women in
general and of his spouse in particular.
1t was really too bad of Lila; a few
thousand pounds would have set him
on his financial feet again.
In due course, after the numerous
delays inevitable in all legal matters,
Mrs. Valletort came into possession of
her legacy. BY her husbands advice
she had safe constructed for the dia-
monds in her dressng-room. and the
dingy leather cases containing the
! Jewels were at once consigned to this
repository.
On the first available opportunity
Mrs. Vallctort (who had been burning
to display her treasures before the
eyes of her friends) donned her dia-
monds and appeared in blaze of
splendor.
At the ball to which they went that
night Mrs. Valletort created quite a
sensation. The story OF her grand
mothers costly bequest had got out
about, and every one was anxious to
see the celebrated Belchambre dia-
monds. Women secretly envied her,
though they shrugged their shoulders
as she passed and wondered how long
the Jewels would remain il her pos
session. Men admired her charming
face and graceful figure so much that
they forgot all about her diamonds as
they crowded round her, eager to
secure dance with the prettiest wo-
man in :he room.
Mrs. Valletort was in her element.
She enjoyed herself immensely, quite
ignorant of the fact that her husband
looked unusually morose, not to say
snlky, as she whired past him radiant
in the Jewels he secretly coveted.
Creditors pushed the gallant captain
TO desperation, and he made one last
appeal to his wife bat without success.
Il refuse to part with my diamonds
she said coldly; sit is unfair of You to
ask me to make such sacrifice"
"Very well, my dear: then the de-
lnge must come, replied the captain
quietly. He turned and left the room.
The captain did not alludn to the
diamonds again, and things went on
much as usual at the Laurels But
Mrs Valletort grew nervous and fret
; full, and took to sitting good deal in
her dressing room. The captain kept
his word; he never again broached the
suoj ct of the diamonds, but he brood
ed silently over it and grew more mo-
rose and taciturn every day. lie was
deeply offended by his wife's conduct,
and his irritation was aggravated by
the continual worries which beset him.
> Morris was obdurate, and his other
creditors threatened him with legal
proceedings if he failed to liquidate his
. numerous bills. At last, driven almos,
| to desperation, the unhappy man con
ceived on daring plan. II he could
5 not get his wifes diamonds by fail
means he would get them by foul. III,
l would steal the jewels. He had ne
y sooner made up his mind to do thi
u than he resolved to carry out the ide;
e at once. He would not give himsel
| time to think about it, for the wor,
3 robbery" has an ugly sound and h
's did not care to say it above whisper
u One evening when his wife was din
Al ing with friend in town he foun'
p that she had forgotten to take her key
II with her. The opportunity must nc
A be lost; so good one might not 300
:, occur again. He therefore crept sofJl
up to the dressing room with the key
I, in his hand, Much to his astonisl
1 ment he found the window wide opeI
the furniture much disarranged, tn
Y door of the safe ajar, and-the di'
VI monds gone.
ef For some moments he stood aghas
y staring stupidity around. Then tn
dreadful truth flashed on him. Bur.
'k lars had effected an entry while he VIZ
'g at dinner and carried off the Jewels.
'o
Before many hours moreover Il
- news of another great jewel robbel
y spread over the country and the Sc
- vice of skilled detectives were enliste'
4. But weeks passed and no glimmer (
u IL light was thrown upon the mysteriov
- burglary, With this calamity can
a another. Captain Valletort's credito
~ pressed him so hard that he was col
It PEELED to take the initiatory step f
49, going through the bankruptcy coul
~ 81 and his name duly appeared in the G
a. In zette. After this the Valletort's foul
Ia IA looun IT, GLAND 60,