New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-21
THE ORANGE DIAMOND.
1UAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
On a certain night in June, 1899, ball was
| to be given at the Colonies E&moltioh' oouet.
Kensington by the Rajah OF kittyp9re A l,.u
| Colonel and Mrs Cannock, living at that time
In Cadoepn Place On their way nome from u
| tour round the world they had travelled an MS
Seen mn the intimate acquaintance so formed,
falsifying Mrs CannocSs prediction OF his speedily
9Ssir names were therefore in the special list
drawn up by the Rajah for invitations to the
| bah In question: l.. - a,,,..
| ON that day. his wife saw at once that he was
| fnll of some bit of intelligence he was eager t.
| share with her. lie wus man given TO small
| enthnsnsms and she had smile ready for the
latest. whatever II might turn out to be.
| an fora, my DEAR" be began, almost at once,
| what do you say to being worth upward Of
ten thousand pounds as you stand at the ball
!" That should be cheap, at the price to you,
my dear. and very expensive to any one else
lie had taken small object from his breast
| pocket. She watched him with some curiosity
as he opened little jewellers case and suddenly
became alarmed lest he should have been spnding
some unconsconable sum upon bit OF jewelry
size did not want
He slowly turned his hand until the lamphsht
fell upon what he held. Nora saw little pool.
rs it were, of intense glowing light.
What is it" she asked; have you caught
comet in its decadence?o
u
worth ten thousand, and yon are TO wear II
tonight The Rajah himself will como second
even he can't match that-its unique. It's tho
| famous Orange diamond, found in the - river
But what have you 70 do with II, Roand?'
Nora asked truly aghast at the notion OF suddhn
tit of wild reeklessness such as alone could nave
| induced her husband to purchase such a royal
MARTIN, you know Martin" ran on Colonel
Cannook airy; well ne pars owner 81 TINS TnS
| would wear it tonight 50 that the Ra!ah would
! see it to advantage. They arc In hopes he may
buy it. OF course I said you would have no
| otLer woman in the room not but what think
| you do that without any diamonds
" And how did you come homep' Nora asked
by Underground" answered her husband. in.
TThen can only say it is a miraculous bless
| ing that You were not followed, robbed and muir
dered Roland, have q very strong objection
| to WEARING such frightfully valuable thing-one
that belongs to some one else too. Suppose lost
They take the risk of that / never dreamt
| of your not being delighted to appear in per-
TS oS unique % III T SowS S at tSe
| pot Of light pulling his mu5tache until Morn
| was touched and gave little laugh which reas-
III / must wear il, it shall at least he sewn
| on with all the power Of needle and thread she
| Eiid; 4" but shall not have easy moment unti!
| It is safe back in the hands Of Mr.. Martin and
This point beng settled, they, presently sat
down 70 dinner, and they had not left the dining;
room before some one called 70 see Colonel
= The diamond n he exclaimed and FASTENED
| intoethe hall
| Now it happened that Nora had been wanting
| sll day to talk over certain subject with her
| husband. There was an eccentric old aunt Of his
who had ararrelled with them. The origin OF
| complicated history of hamper Of ducks and
spring chicken, sent by the old Indy economically
by goods train, 50 that on arrival speedy burial
/ Il was evidently somebody's fault, and Mrs Will
mington found, by o mysterious process Of reason
| ing that it was Colonel CannoclSs. Nora thought
| that the consequent eStrangenent, heightened by
many letters-reams Of paper, in fact, from the
| aunt-had endured long enough, and she had 1t
going to the bali. She knew she should have
| some difficulty with her husband who, though
| the most amable Of men on the whole, had just
little twist of temper that such occasion
vas sure 70 bring out. He would say that over
| lures Of reconciliation would look Ike greedy
hankerfng after the old ladys money She had
made proptiOus beginning when the interruption
| came.
THAT diamond" she mused will worry me
| until II is safe out OF our possession
Her husband came back to tell her that Messrs.
| N had engaged detective IN plain clothes
20 watch over the safety OF the diamond II he,
Colonel cannock could obtain admission for him.
= for knew it could be done, put I must 20
sound and speak sbout IL 70 W, who will
| manage it. He is not only q friend Of tha
Rs%s Snt In his his official Es capacity as Of the
your mind is relieved, and that you will enjoy
yourself without giving the Orange diamond
TO fasten the brooch ON himself II you have no
objection"
Nora rang for her maid, sent her for her ball
dress, and saw the detective, who was quiet.
rather hungry-lookng man, like shabby waiter.
deXterously attach the jewel by means OF o
little wire he had brought with him.
II defy any ordinary thief to snatch thnt, !"
he said, looking admlringly at his handlwork
| What beauty II ISL he murmured rapturously
then, promising to follow their brougham in a
cab, and be at the Exhibition rs soon as they
were, he left the ROOM as he hid entered il,
with noiselcss swiftness that Nora thought
must be extremely useful in his professional duties
II Nora Cannock beautiful woman, but H.
required very special order Of beauty and dress
tering throngS The diamond, the great, fash
ing, dazzling lakelet that seemed 10 hold hear
Of lurid fire within it, obtained this distinction
, for its wearer. The Orange diamond became a
prevailing topic Of discussion The Raiah, who
OF Botanical Gardens fete, one mass Of colorei
Jewels was attracted at once by the rare splcndor
Of the great diamond He had passion FOR rare
stones, and eagerly asked all about it.
The detective was present; he had
walked behind his ten thousand pound charge
into the Exhibition, and every now and
then Nora SAW him unobtrlislvely moving about
Nora had already been glad OF his wato6fulness
for between her carriage and the entrance she had
fallen pace or two behind her husband, who had
proper martial stride and suddenly O man. artisan
or mechanic. had appeared, blocking her way for A
!, single instant. He had looked full in her face
with nm eager rather than impudent afr and asked
| in distinct but rough voice, Where is Jim ?"
She glanced back satisfied TO see the detectives
sallow wien face close at hand. and the man dis
appeared In the darkness but his voice fingered in
her ear. She wes sensitive to tones and there
. was peculiar ring Of pain and bitterness in IL
He is mad" she thought pitifully, but mad
from misery of some kind I; and again and again
that Where is Jim ?'-the aimless query seem.
ingly wrung from a deeply troubled soul-fecurred
20 her memory.
II set her fnncifully thinking by-aud-by of the
many astray and wandering in this perplexed
world. This ball was very gorgeous and very