The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1886-10-07


found the window wide open, the fu:-
niture much disarranged, the door of
the safe aiar. and-the diamonds gone!
For some moments he stood aghast,
staring stupidity around. Then the
dreadful truth flashed on him. Burg
lars had effected an entry while lie was
at dinner and carried off the jewels.
Before many hours were over the
news of another great jewel robbery
spread over the country and the serv-
ices of skilled detectives were enlisted.
But weeks passed and no glimmer of
light was thrown on the mysterious
burglary. With this calamity came
another. Captain Valletort's creditors
pressed him so hard that he was COM
PEELED to take the initiatory steps for
going through the bankruptcy court,
and his name duly appeared in the
Gazette. After this the Valletort's
found it expedient to leave England for
time. They resolved to spend the
winter in Florence. In that pleasant
city they were soon the center of a
brilliant coterie, for Mrs. Valletort's
beauty and grace and her husbands
easy, good-natured manner were as
much appreciated as in London.
One evening, when they had dined
quietly at home, Mrs. Valletort an
nounced to her husband that she had
something to show him that would sur
prise him considerably. The Captain
herlistlessly declared himself willing
to give her his attention; and Lila,
smiling rather wickedly. vanished from
| the room, reappearing soon after with
large cardboard box under arm,
which she carefully placed on the table.
"What have you got there, my
dear?" asked the Captain, in some
surprise.
'sYou shall see." replied his wife.
''But first promise to let me have my
way in this matter"
every well. promise
80, you dear foolish Ned! just see
how much cleverer l am than you!'
cried the little woman exultingly, as
she opened the box and took out several
shabby leather cases.
The Captain started as if he had been
shot.
..Lilla, don't tantalize me like this
he cried, angrily. ''What have you
| got in those cases?" 5H
'sMy diamonds-andt their fac SMILES
in paste" And she displayed a mass
of gems that positively dazzled him.
Listen to me for few moments and
/ will explain everything. Soon after
you asked me to sell my diamonds
began to suspect that you meant to take
them from me by strategem, so l re.
solved to manage the matter my own
way. 1 knew if you had yours the
money would all be swallowed up by
your debts, and, besides, should lose
every social advantage the possession
of the diamonds gave me. | therefore
arranged my dressing-room so as te
make you think that the jewels had
been annexed by burglars, and | kept
the diamonds sewn in my sealskin
jacket until we left England. !"
"No wonder the detectives were puz
zied. By Jove, Lila, didn't give you
credit for such sharpness"
SIN Paris took them to the Palai:
Royal and had them copied in paste
Now" she added with bright smile
and placing the shabby cases and gilt
tering contents in his hands, ''the rea
stones are very much at your service
shall send paragraph to the Londor
papers saying that my diamonds hay,
been restored to me anonymously. and
shall wear the paste set at Primes
Opoponax's tomorrow night. An(
now, DEAR" she added, 81 have onl,
one piece of advice to offer: The mex
time you are thinking of turning burglar
take your wife into your confidence.
i London Tratb.