The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-10-29

sensation. The story of her grand
mothers costly bequest had got about,
and every one was anxious to see the
celebrated Belchambre diamonds.
Women secretly envied her, though
they shrugged their shoulders as she
passed and wondered how long the
jewels would remain in her possession.
Men admired her charming face and
graceful figure so much that they for
got all about her diamonds as they
crowded round her, eager to secure a
dance with the prettiest woman in the
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
sulky, as she whirled 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 but without success.
81 refuse to part with my diamonds"
she SAID coldly; ait is unfair of you to
ask me to make such sacrifice"
"Very well. my dear; then the deluge
must come" replied the captain,
quietly. He turned and left the room.
The Captain did not allude 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 a good deal in
her dressing room. The Captain kept
his word; he never again preached the
subject of the diamonds, but he brooded
silently over it and grew more morose
and taciturn every day. He was
deeply offended by his wife's conduct,
and his irritation was aggravated Wy
the continual worries which beset him.
Morris was obdurate and his other
creditors threatened hin, with legal
proceedings if he failed to liquidate
his numerous bills. At last, driven
almost to desperation. the unhappy
man conceived on daring plan. If
he could not get his wife's diamonds
by fair means he would get them by
foul. He would steal the jewels. He had
no sooner made up his mind to do this
than he resolved to carry out the idea
at once. He would not give himself
time to think about it, for the word
robbery" has an ugly sound and he
did not care to say it above whisper.
One evening when his wife was dim
ing with a friend in town he found
that she had forgotten to take her keys
with her. The opportunity must not
be lost; so good a one might not soon
occur again. He therefore crept softly
up to the dressing-room with the keys
In his hand. Much to his astonish-
ment he found the window wide open
the furniture much disarranged, the
door of the safe ajar. and-the dia-
monds gone.
For some moments he stood aghast,
staring stupidity around. Then the
dreadful truth flashed on him. Burg
lars had effected an entry while he 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 tine SER
vice of skilled detectives were enlisted.
But weeks passed and no gllmmer of
light was thrown upon the mysteri-
GUS burglary. With this calamity
came another. Captain Valletort's
creditors pressed him so hard that he
was compelled to take the initiatory
step for gong through the bankruptcy
court, and his name duly appeared in
the Gazette After this the Valletorts
found it expedient to leave England
for time. They resolved to spend the
winter in Florence. In that pleasant
city they were soon the centre of a
brilliant coterie. for Mrs. Valletort's
beauty and grace, and her husbands
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 chat she h..l
something to show him that would
surprise him considerably. The Cap
tain quite listlessly declared himself
willing to give her his attention; and
Lila, smiling rather wickedly, vanished
from the room, reappearlng soon aftei