Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-04-21
R E T RI B U ITO N.
BY ssTHE DUCHESS"
CHAPTER I.


 CHAPTER I.
 The coffee and toast are suffering, the eggs and kidneys are growing cold, the butler is looking distinctly aggrieved, and Sir Thomas, lifting his head from his well aired Times, gazes across the table cloth, with solemnity even more pronounced than usual, at his stepson, Granit Boyle.
 ing" he says testify. "This is, indeed, the third time this week she has been be- hind time.'
 "Old age begins to assert itself,' sug- gests the younger man carelessly.
 Something in the indifference of his tone nettles Sir Thomas His brow con- tracts, and he stares angrily at the other, betraying how very little love is lost between them.
 "Age has nothing to do with it. Your mother is not failing in any way, however much that thought may find favor with you! Your entrance into your Kingdom will not be yet, I hope and be- Heve."
 This reference to his inheritance of a considerable estate on his mothers death raises smile upon Boyle's lips and contemptuOus movement of his shoul ders.
 II see no disgrace in old age myself" he says. "It has it's drawbacks, perhaps'' with a look of studied insolence at Sir Thomas-''but it's privileges too" He laughs slowly. ''As you see, my mother is late-her privilege is to oversleep her self"
 "Your mother, sir, has not been the same woman since the robbery of her jewel case, a month since. It has preyed ko,s ,1,0 who''-in his odd, fuming manner 'had spark of feeling in them might have seen. But you are too devoted to your racing, your cards, your town dissi pations, to spare 8 thought for one of the best women, the best mothers, who ever''-
 His indignation is cut short in very summary manner. The door is flung wide, and Lady Valworth, entering, tot ters to tho nearest arm chair and sinks into it.
 "Oh! Thomasl Ohl good heavensr' she cries. ''The diamondsp'
 Sir Thomas, dinging down The Times, starts to his feet, and turns to her.
 "Why the deuce can't you speak, Lu- cindaa' says he.
 ''They are gone!-gone, tell you! I've searched everywhere, and they are not to be found. This is the second rob- bery-and where is the fault to be laidi What on earth is to be done?' The poor woman, growing quite hysterical, covers her face with her hands, and sobs aloud.
 "Your diamondsl The family dia- monds! Bless my soull Has the world come to an end?' cries Sir Thomas. "But there must be some mistake. When''- putting on his most magisterial air "did you see them 1asts''
 1.-Two nights ago. I wore them at the Eyers' dinner. You remember, Granit? You came with us.''
 "Yes, I remember" says Granit.
 "It is absurd. It is outrageous! Is there no law in the land?" fumes Sir Thomas. "Have you sent for the police "a detective''-- -
 "Of what use was the detective we got down from town about my emeralds?" asks Lady Valworth despondingly. "No; it is 8 conspiracy-a deeply rooted one''
 "Nonsensep growls Sir Thomas; ''it's cern, Granit-what do you think, eh9"
 Servants, I should say,'' laconically.
 "Oh, my dear Granitl'' cries his mother. "But which amongst them would you first suspect3 We have had excellent characters with them all; and Johanna, as you know, has been with me for twenty eight years-in fact, ever since you were born. Her character is surely established. '' .#i
 "It is the people with established characters who invariably enrich them selves at the expense of their employers. In the long run, they reward themselves for the years of correct living that they have endured. Take my advice, and keep your eye on Johanna"
 He laughs cynically. There is, indeed, what one might almost believe to be an under current of amusement in his tone.
 "This Johanna should, indeed, be well known to youp' breaks in Sir Thomas; "she was your nurse, believe. She, as have learned, is devtoed to you-has given you almost mothers love-"
 He is gazing at the younger man with slow scorn in his old, but yet brilliant, eyes.
 "Surely all that is no reason why should seek to defraud justice of it's dues,' says the young man, with an in dolent uplifting of his brows "You, as 8 magistrate, would surely not suggest such course?"
 "what dye mean, sir?'' cries Sir Thomas, turning upon him so fercely that Lady Valworth, who has had cause to dread collision between them, rushes into the breach.
 "Pray reserve discussion, however dlulCSD1c3 uAC1A 4ttGcI O1, SAO 1u1plOAOS excitedly. "I cannot listen to it now, l am SO unstrung-so wretched. The emeralds were bad enough; but if noth- ing comes of the loss of these diamonds I don't believe I shall get over it. If they had been my own, shouldn't so much have cared; but being yours, Sir Thomas, and expected by your heir-I"-
 She breaks down again, and subsidies into tears and her handkerchief.
 "Now must beg you will not so allude to this unfortunate affair."" says Sir Thomas, 8 strong affection underlying the pomposity of his manner. "IIet nothing outside the loss itself distress you-and, besides, there may be no loss; all yet is mere conjecture. Recovery ot these jewels Gf, indeed, they are gone) is sure."
 Positively certain, " says Granit Boyle, with his inscrutable smile.
 "In the meantime, as you are so un- strung, I shall recommend you change '' says Sir Thomas, laying his hand very kindly upon his wife's. s'Go to town fol a month or so, to your sister, Mrs. Brand she always does you good-and leave me here to fight out this mystery"
 But though he fights it out hardly, SC far as money and perseverance can go