The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-11-23

| tie OF him.
"It's too bad" Lucy said to me. "l
did think Mr. Stormont would have
been an exciting element. l hoped We
should have the house crowded with
nurses and brain specialists, and tha
perhaps he would have gone suddenly
mad, and you would have restrained hin
in some heroic manner. Instead o.
which he is as humdrum as possible. Al
least, he might have gone little crazy.
"Well, he may yet" said I. HE has
only been here week to-day"
That evening johnson demanded ar
interview of me.
, "Well, Johnson?" l said to this old
and faithful domestic.
'1'm not easy about Mr.. Stormont, Sir
Francis" said Johnson, carefully look
ing over his shoulder, though he had as
carefully closed the door behind him
when he entered.
"What about Mr.. Stormont?" l in
quired.
Hes an uncommon queer gentleman,
Sir Francis" replied johnson. "Sev-
eral nights I've found him wandering
about my pantry, and yesterday he
|
coming in when she and me was holding
a confidential communication in the
housekeeper's room. Mrs. Rowe's heart
is weak, Sir Francis"
l couldn't help smiling, for it was no
secret where the weakness in Mrs
Rowe's heart tended.
"What explanation did Mr.. Stormont
offer?" l asked.
"None, Sir Francis" said johnson.
"He put his hand to his head and looked
bewildered, and then went off. He's
been caught upstairs by the girls just
the same, and Jane met him at your
dressing-room door. And it makes it
worse because he walks so soft. We
amt none of us angry with the poor
gentleman, Sir Francis, but we think
he's stark mad, and we think there'll be
murder if he amt looked sharp after"
81 hope not, Johnson" said. HThis
is just what Mr.. Arrowsmith prepared
us for; his words were: He goes moon
ing about the place, and wandering into
rooms where he mas no business can't
turn my brother-in-laws's friend out of
my house because he's odd"
81 hope nothing may come of it, Sir
Francis" said Johnson, solemnly.
II trust not" said l. "Mr. Stormont
will go soon. Meantime, don't let any
one frighten her ladyship. There is
nothing murderous in tendency to
poke into strange places"
Nevertheless, felt somewhat uneasy,
and watched my guest narrowly. But
there was nothing in his demeanor to
warrant my apprehensions, and 1 pres
emily forgot Johnson's revelations, and
ceased to lie awake at night listening
for sudden shrieks.
Stormont had been with us fortnight
when we went to ball at the Duke of
Bengals. Lucy donned her diamonds,
and l thought she looked very beautiful
in them, and told her so. / was Just
kissing her when we suddenly found
that Stormont was in the room. Lucy
blushed prettily at being caught in her
husband S arms, and daresay grew hot. |
1--WE are going to ball, l stammered. |
81 was just telling my wife her diamonds
became her."
$50 l heard" said Stormont. "May |
look at your diamonds, Lady Dennis?"
He approached and gazed admiringly
at her necklace and earrings.
beautiful" he said, several times. |
Diamonds of the first water! L know |
something about diamonds; my great |
uncle was diamond merchant"
''If you we're going with us, you would |
see far finer diamonds than mine" said |
Lucy. 1.-The duchess has diamonds that |
are absolute priceless, and such quanti-
nv hn hoc tn har Il
and two detectives always close to her.
81 wonder she dares walk about in |
such precious things" observed Stor-
mont. AT large parties it is impossible
to say what bad characters may not slip
in"
"Well, as matter of fact, she doesn't |
walk about" said Lucy. "a few years
ago she It her spine out hunting, and |
she is always on the sofa"
"Wouldn't you like to come with us,
my dear fellow?" said /.
"ThanB you, think not" he replied,
plaintively; II should like it, but fear
the noise and heat would hurt my head. |
Thank you, Lady Dennis, for letting me
see your treasures. Ihope you keep them
carefully?'
so, yes. Frank keeps them in his
strong box and when we travel they go |
to the bank" she replied. Frank will |
lock them up tomorrow as safe as a
church"
"To-morrow!-not till tomorrow" ex-
claimed Stormont in a Mortified voice.
No" said she; "why should he tire
himself? Nobody could take them out
of our room"
AT this moment the carriage was an
nounced, and carried Lucy off. 1t was
a good ball, and the duchess lay in state,
covered with superb diamonds and
watched by acute and intelligent func-
tionaries. In the course of the evening a
gentlemanlilke stranger, with long, fair
beard, and rather long, fair hair, ad
dressed me, and asked If / could point
out Sir Francis Dennis. / told him that
was the gentleman in question, and he
bowed courteously.
you will excuse the liberty took"
he said; but believe my old friend,
George Stormont, is staying with you.
and at cockcrow start for the continent,
or should have called to see him. Per-
haps you will say that you met Colonel
l. Estrange."
i was pleased with the Colonels man
ner, and we entered into conversation,
and after a time he begged me to present
him to the duchess. This j did will
ingly, knowing that the poor duchess
chief pleasure lay in talking with agree