The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-11-04
when she knows what It is to want money
nasses NV vcomnrahansion -

wnen she knows what It is to want mouey
passes my comprehension"
Mrs. Valletort was usually the most do.
cile of wives; but she resented her hus.
bands's angry words, and was trebIy de.
termined to hold her own in this matter.
The captain saw that it would be useless
to argue with her, - he turned awav
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 few thousand pounds
would have set him on his financial feet
again.
In due course, after the numerous de.
lays inevitable in all legal matters, Mrs.
Valletort came into possession of her leg
acy. BY her husbands advice she had a
safe constructed for the diamonds in her
dressing-room, and the dingy leather Ca
ses containing the jewels were at once
consigned to this repository.
On the first available Opportunity Mrs.
Valletort (who had been burning to dis.
play her treasures before the ewes of
her friends) donned Fer diamonds and ap-
peared in blaze Of splendor.
AT the ball to which they went that
night Mrs. Valetort created quite SEN
saton. The story of her grandmother's
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
forgot 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 ig-
norant of the fact that her husband
looked unusually morose, not to say sui
ky, 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.
l refuse TO part with my diamonds"
she said coldly cit is unfair Of yon 20
ask me to make such sacrifice"
every well, my dear; then the deluge
must come," replied the captain quietly
He turned and left the room.
The Captain did not alude to the dia-
monds again, and things went on much
as usual at the Laurels. But Mrs. Vale
tort grew nervous land fretful, and took
to sitting good deal in her dressing
room. The Captain kept his word he
never again broached 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
wite's conduct, and his irritation was ag-
gravated by the continual worries which
beset him. Morris was obdurate and his
other creditors threatened him with legal
proceedings if he failed to liqnidate 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 whis
per.
One evening when his wife was dining
with 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 dress
| ing room with the keys in his hand.
Much TO his astonishment he found the
window wide open, the furniture much
disarranged, the door of the safe alar,
and-the diamonds gone
For some moments he stood aghast,
staring stupidity around. Then the dread
full truth flashed on him. Burglars had
effected an entry while he was at dinner
and carried off the jewels
Before many hours mere over the news
of another great jewel robbery spread
over the country and the service of skilled
detectives were enlisted. But weeks
passed and no glimmer of light was
thrown upon the mysterious burglary.
With this calamity came another. Capt
Valletort's creditors pressed him so hard
that he was compelled to take the initia
tory step for going through the bank
ruptcy court, and his name duly appeared
in the Gazette. After this the Valletorts
found it expedient to leave England for a
time. They resolved to spend the winter
in Florence. In that pleasant city they
were soon the centre of brilliant coterie
for Mrs. Valletort's beauty and grace
and her husbands good-natured man
ner were as much appreciated as in Lon.
don.
One evening, when they had dined
quietly ct home, Mrs. Valletort announced
to her husband that she had something to
show him that would surprise him consid
erably. The Captain quite listlessly de-
clarei himself willing to give her his at
tention; and Lila, smiling rather wicked
ly, 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 p
asked the captain in some surprise.
"You shall see," replied his wife. "Bu'
first promise to let me have my way in
this matter"
every well, 1 promise"
"Oh, you dear, foolish Ned. Just see
how much cleverer I am than you P
cried the little woman exultingly, as she
opened the box and took out severa
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 ii
| +hose cases pn