The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1889-12-28

haps you vii. say that you met Colonel
L'Estrange."
was pleased with the Colonel's man
ner, and we entered into conversation,
and after time he begged me to present |
him to the duchess. This did will |
ingly, knowing that the poor duchess
chief pleasure lay in talking with agree
able people, and after that lost sight
of him.
1t was late when we left, and on reach
ing home we found Stormont walking
in the drive, smoking. He followed
the carriage quickly and helped Lucy to
alight, and we stood talking in the hall
for few minutes.
s.And the duchess and her diamonds?"
inquired Stormont presently.
s'The duchess and her diamonds were
all there" said /. "By the way, Stor-
mont, met friend of yours, Colonel
L'Estrange, and l introduced him to
the duchess, who, understand, was
charmed with him."
'sHe Is very nice fellow, said Stor-
mont: ''quite ladies' man. l wonder
what he was doing here? However, 1
mustn't keep you, Lady Dennis; you
must be very tired"
We went up stairs, and, as usual,
Lucy's diamonds were left on her dress
eddy that it never occurred to us to do
differently, notwithstanding the aston
ishment that Stormont had expressed.
But we committed the indiscretion once
too often. The next morning Lucy's ex-
quisite diamonds were gone.
An unusual event had happened at
last but it was too serious for joking.
Lucy was too miserable to get up, and
at length / left her to her maid and went
steps l should take. / had hardly
poured out my coffee when Stormont
came in. He held an open letter in his
hand, and seemed quite alert and cheer
full.
GOOD morning." he began. eagerly.
''I've heard from my sister. She is in
London; has come up on purpose to meet
me and wants me to join her to-day"
Indeed" said /, absently. Your
sister-Mrs. Macdonald-in town-oh!'
Stormont looked at me, surprised.
'Any thing the matter?" he said.
Lady Dennis not well?"
sWell, yes, something is the matter"
said l. Something deucedly disagree
able has happened. My wife's diamonds
have been stolen"
ssGood Lordr' exclaimed Stormont.
He was so taken aback that he literally
fell into chair and sat there staring at
me.
"Those diamonds?" he said at last.
ssThose splendid diamonds? have no
words. Did you lock them up?'a
"No," 1 replied; I've been con-
founded fool. But the diamonds were
close to us, and we don't sleep heavily"
"whom do you suspect?" asked Stor-
mont.
sNo one," I said. "All my servants
have been with me for long Some one
must have been secreted in the house. "
| Sand what are you going to do?" he
asked.
ssCan / do any thing in town? must
go up by the S:15."
We discussed the subject all morning,
and Stormont's indignant interest was
very consolatory, and when Lucy APP
peared she was greatly cheered by his
sympathy and hopefulness. He was GER
tain that the rougues would be taken
and the diamonds recovered.
ssYou are very sanguine," said she.
You seem quite we'll to-day, Mr.. Stor-
mont"
II feel much better, he replied. "Joy
is fine doctor, and the expectation OF
seeing my sister has made another man
of me- Then this atrocious burglary ex.
!, cites me to pitch can't describe. Lady
Dennis, you must recover your diamonds.
shall run down on Saturday to hear the
J news. A talk will be SO much more sat
isfactory than letters"
drove Stormont to the station. BY
. his advice had not called in the local
police, but telegraphed to London for q
detective, and should meet him by .
, train which would arrive soon after the
3:15 departed.
I ''By the way" said Stormont, as w
stood waiting on the platform, ''abou
: Colonel L'Estrange-what was he hke?'
about your height" said. "Thil
. and fair, with long beard and longisl
' hair; not military looking at all"
t A very peculiar expression came ovel
Stormont's face, and he whistled softly
1 my dear fellow" he said, that
l your burglar! How these rascals get t
t know things passes my comprehension
+ but somehow they do. have a frien,
], La Colonel L'Estrange-but he is stou
and extremely dark, and wears a mus
a tache only. Depend upon it, that fello,
!. hoaxed you. wonder he didn't pay hi
Q attention to the duchess diamonds also.
pl So he had. A gentleman came up a
the moment, and after shaking hand
t said excitedly:
8 Heard the news, Dennis?"