Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-07-25

NOW tnt Cuso was W w IoNiNtu
and Twas to DO put on 1t. The agency
wanted new man. entirely unknown
to every operator. for good many
were quietly at work on their own
chance of reward.
al was given unlimited credit and
time aud ordered to Covington. KY.
where was TO enter into negotiations
for a certain manufacturing business,
and by such means gain access to high
society. My orders were to become
acquainted with Miss Mason, who.
since General Judd's death. was re-
siding there with relative. was to
shadow her by becoming her escort
II possible.
Colonel Wilson, the executor sus-
pected Miss Mason of the robbery, fol
it would appear as IL she alone could
have had access to the apartment OF
the ladies at the time the jewels were
stolen. The Colonel believed tn at
General Judd had discovered enough
to cause him to feel that full revela-
ton of the truth would disgrace and
ruin young woman for whom he had
fathcrly affection. But Colonel Will
son did not care for Miss Mason. He
wanted the jewels.
81 went to Covington, and for six
weeks tried my best TO gain an intro
duction to the family where Miss Ma
son lived. saw her frequently. but
the aristocratic exclusiv eness of the
house shut the door with me on the
outside. You see. l had to work the
business mighty cautl ously.
Tho papers made mention of my
plan to buy big concern in the
spirituous line there and I was a
swell about town; still the door re-
manned closed. But music has
charms, you know! l am a pretty
good violinist.'
'One day was passing the house
with an acquaintance and heard n
piano and violin within. / stopped
and listened. had the cue at last.
Before the week was ended l stood
inside that parlor playing my violin
to Miss Mason's piano accompani-
ment.
"a more charming woman never
had the good fortune to meet She
was delicate. refined, educated and
pure-minded us an angel began 10
think Colonel Wilson was q brute. l
hadn't been acquainted with Miss
Mason week before l wrote my
chief that we were on the wrong
scent and simply squandering wealth
by pursuing ii. He wrote back to
follow it hotter than ever and spare
no expense in winning the lady's con-
fidence.
THAT reply Disguised me and l
sent another letter intimating that !
didn't care TO remain in business of
this sort; but my chief paid no atten-
ton TO that message except to praise
my abilities and remit handsome
check.
"Thcn resorted to another means
or recall. l spent money like mill
ionaire. NV family namo is we'll
known and my implied relationship to
wealthy people helped to carry me
along in fine form. Still there was no
word of complaint from the agency,
and my scheme fell fiat. BY this time
Ihad ceased to desire recall. even
began to build a castle in Spain, in
which Miss Mason occupied mag
nificant suite.
"A month of that delicious life won't
by. One evening l escorted Miss
Mason to swell party. She never
looked more beautiful and was never
before so gracious. was on the verge
of proposal, and couldn't make up
my mind to reveal the true charact
of my purpose in seeking her
acquaintance. On the way to the
party resolved to send in my resig-
nation, seek some other employment,
and then return to Covington.
las Miss Mason oined me upon
coming from the ladies' dressing
room Isaw on her magnifi cont throat
a diamond pin that l recognized at
once from the description furnished
me by my chief. 1t was the finest of
the Judd jewels You can imagine,
perhaps. what sort of an evening l
passed.
THE next morning reported to the
agency. sending my resignation and
emitting all mention of the discovery
l had made. But fate stepped in at
that juncture of my affairs. A news
paper reporter had also seen the
brooch and, without knowing what
she was doing, described it as the most
remarkable jewel displayed on the oc-
casion. Both my chief and Colonel
Wilson. it then transpired, were quito
as alert as / IN this aft air. Before
night / received kilograms in cipher
ordering me to force Miss Mason to a
confession.
You see me here low, so you know
l didn't yield to the temptation to
blow out my brains. / resisted that
inclina alton because realized that no
living creature could break the awful
news of detection to that poor girl so
gently as I.
THAT evening l called on Mi IS
Mason and invited her to drive with
me. Possibly she thought-well. no
matter now. She accepted the in
vitation and / drove into as secluded
a road rs l could find. Then ] told
her who and what was-a detective;
q man who had willfully gained her
con fidencc in order to prove that she
was thief! 1t wasn't exactly the
kind of declaration she had expected,
or had hoped to make, but If there is
any consolation in the fact Of
reciprocal agony the poor girl must
have rcalized some trace of sympathy.
Il can see her now, in my mind,
lying crushed and fearless, at my feet.
She may have pleaded first for silence,
for pity, but neither was at my COM
mand. Others held her secret. She
told me how she had been overwhelmed
| with IN al,nosI ne anc LON ni Ii O To own