Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-08-28

therefore crept softly up to the dressing
room with the keys in his hand. Much to
his establishment he found the window
wide open. the furniture much disarranged
the door of the safe ajar and-the diamonds
gone!
For q moment lie stood aghast, staring
stupidity around. Then the dreadful truth
flashed on him. Burglars had effected an
entry while he was at dinner, and carried
off the jewels.
E
Before many hours were over the news of
another great jewel robbery spread over the
country and the services of skilled detec-
tiyes 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 compelled
to take the initiatory steps for going through
the bankruptcy Court, and his name duly
appeared in the Gazette. After this the
Valletorts found it expedient to leave Eng
land for a time. They resolved to spend
the winter in Florence. In that pleasant
city they were soon the center of brilliant
coterie, for Mrs. Valletorts 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 announced
to her husband that she had something to
show him that would surprise him cOnsid-
erably. The Captain rather liStlessly de-
clared himself willing to give her his atten-
ton; and Lila, smiling rather wickedly,
vanished from the room, reappearing soon
after with large cardboard box under her
arm, which she carefully placed on the
table
What have You got there, my dear ?'
asked the Captain, in some surprise.
you shall see,' replied his wife. But
first promise to let me have my way in
this matter"
Very well. promise"
"Oh, you dear, foolish Ned Just see
how much cleverer am than you" cried
the little woman, cxultantly, as she opened
the box and took out several shabby leather
cases.
The Captain started as if he had been
shot.
LILA. don't tantalize me like this" he
cried, angrily. What have you got III
those cases?
My diamonds-aDd 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 strate-
gem, so | resolved to manage the matter
my own way. ! knew, if You had yours.
the money would all be swallowed up by
your debts, and, besides, I should lose every
social advantage the possession of the
diamonds gave me. | therefore arranged
my dressing-room so as to make you think
that the Jewels had been annexed by burg
lars, and kept the diamonds sewn in my
sealslin jacket until we left England"
NO wonder the detectives were puzzled.
By JOve, Lila. l didn't give you credit for
such sharpness"
"In Paris l took them to the Palais
Royal and had them copied in paste. Now"
she added, with bright smile, and placing
the shabby cases and their glittering con-
tents in his hands, " the real stones are
very much at your service. / shall send
paragraph TO the London papers, saying
that my diamonds have been restored to
me anonymously, and shall wear the paste
set at Prince Opoponax's tomorrow night
And now. dear" she added, Il have only
one piece of advice to offer: The next time
you are thinking of turning burglar, take
your wife into your confidence. e. london
Truth.